BIB 515 Women, Gender and Biblical Narrative
Scholarship on women and gender in the Hebrew Bible has transformed the field of biblical studies. A rich conversation of diverse voices has developed among scholars working from a range of methodological perspectives. This class will engage with these perspectives through in-depth study of selected biblical texts. While considering multiple approaches to the study of women and gender, students will develop their own analytical skills as readers of biblical texts in ways that can be transferred to their future careers. This class is made up of modules that bring together scholarly work on narratives concerning female figures from the books of Genesis, Exodus, Samuel, Kings, and Ruth. We will consider these familiar biblical women through a prism of approaches, each one yielding a unique vantage point on the text: Bathsheba in Hollywood, racial politics in Genesis and Exodus, the Book of Ruth in the context of contemporary Thailand, feminist literary scholars who disagree not only with each other but also with their own early work are just some of the studies we will engage. Our seminar will be structured by active student leadership with scaffolding from the instructor. This course is an online all campus elective.