Old Testament (O.T) Survey
- Arts
- 100 level
- 2 credit units
- 142 pages
- 13 units
This course, Old Testament Survey, provides a comprehensive introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures. It explores major historical periods from creation to the exile and return, covering key events like the formation of the Israelite nation and the rebuilding of the temple. Students will gain an understanding of the patriarchs, the development of prophecy, and the rise and fall of the monarchy. The course aims to provide a foundational understanding of Jewish history and its significance to Christianity.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 150 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CRS111, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CRS111 · UNIT 2 ORIGINS AND BEGINNING OF MANKIND AND ISRAEL’S HISTORY
The climatic conditions in each locality depend on the altitude and or the pervading winds from the Mediterranean Sea. There is a terribly hot but occasional east wind which blows in late July. It is called the Sirroco. It is excessively dry, hot and violent and is therefore considered a major climatic curse for the region.
What you should be able to do
- Discuss the major events and figures in the Old Testament.
- Explain the development of Israelite religion and society.
- Analyze the role of prophecy in ancient Israel.
- Compare and contrast the reigns of different kings of Israel and Judah.
- Evaluate the impact of the Babylonian exile on Jewish identity.
- Identify the key themes and messages of the Old Testament.
What it prepares you for
- Religious Studies Teacher
- Theologian
- Historian
- Archivist
- Museum Curator
- Education
- Religious Organizations
- Historical Research
- Museums
- Cultural Heritage
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1:
Unit 1: From Creation to the Judges
Understanding the geography of the ancient Near East requires memorization of numerous locations and their historical significance, demanding strong spatial reasoning skills.
- Module 3:
Unit 2: Daniel and the Jews under Persian Rule
The prophetic visions in Daniel require understanding of symbolism and apocalyptic literature, which can be challenging to interpret.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: From Creation to the Judges · 2 hours
Read the introduction to the Bible Land.. Study the geography of Mesopotamia, Syria-Palestine, and Egypt.. Understand the nature, origin, and content of the Hebrew Bible..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 2: Origins & Beginnings of Mankind and Israel's History · 2 hours
Study the authorship and sources of the Torah.. Narrate the stories of creation, the fall, and the flood.. Discuss the call of Abraham and the covenant with God..
- Week 3Module 1:
Unit 3: The Worship of YHWH, Cultic Matters, The Wilderness Experience and the Kadesh-Barnea Delay · 2 hours
Trace the development of worship of Yahweh.. Discuss the significance of various sacrifices.. Understand the events during the wilderness travels and the Kadesh-Barnea delay..
- Week 4Module 1:
Unit 4: The Promised Land · 2 hours
Analyze Joshua's leadership.. Discuss the Israelites' entrance into and takeover of the Promised Land.. Highlight the significance of the cities of refuge..
- Week 5Module 1:
Unit 5: The Period of the Judges · 2 hours
Comment on the cyclic pattern of religious apostasy during the period of the judges.. Discuss the reign of the judges.. Understand the general environment during the era of the judges..
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 1: Introduction to the United Monarchy · 2 hours
Narrate the events leading to Samuel's call.. Tell the story of Samuel's ministry.. Analyze Samuel's character traits and how they helped his ministry..
- Week 7Module 2:
Unit 2: The Court History of David · 2 hours
Comment on the authorship of Chronicles.. Evaluate David's reign and the factors that led to his success.. Discuss the spiritual reformations that David made in Israel..
- Week 8Module 2:
Unit 3: The Career of Solomon and the Divided Monarchy · 2 hours
Discuss the significance of Solomon's foreign and domestic policies.. Narrate events that show Solomon as a wise man.. List the sources of Solomon's wealth..
- Week 9Module 2:
Unit 4: The Prophets and Their Impact on the Religious Life in Israel · 2 hours
Define terms used for prophets.. Distinguish stages of prophetic development.. Discuss functions of prophets.. Analyze impact of prophets on Israel's religious life..
- Week 10Module 2:
Unit 5: Period of Religious Reforms: Hezekiah and Josiah · 2 hours
Discuss the authorship of Isaiah.. Identify Isaiah's role in Hezekiah's reforms.. Describe Hezekiah's history and the factors leading to his fall..
- Week 11Module 3:
Unit 1: The Fall of Jerusalem and the Exile · 2 hours
List factors leading to Jerusalem's fall.. Narrate events leading to Jerusalem's fall.. Discuss Jeremiah's role among exiles in Egypt.. Discuss Ezekiel's role among exiles in Babylon..
- Week 12Module 3:
Unit 2: Daniel and the Jews under Persian Rule · 2 hours
Discuss the background of Daniel.. Narrate events befalling Daniel as governor under Persian kings.. Examine Daniel's biography.. Discuss the chronology of Persian kings and how Jews fared under each..
- Week 13Module 3:
Unit 3: The Return: Zerubbabel, Ezra & Nehemiah · 2 hours
Identify Zerubbabel.. Discuss the first return of exiles under Zerubbabel.. Discuss the second return of exiles under Ezra.. Discuss Ezra's role in religious reforms.. Discuss Nehemiah's role in socio-political reforms..
Unit 4: The Rebuilding of the Temple: The Role of Haggai and Malachi and its Impact on the Religious Life of the Israelites · 2 hours
Study the role of Haggai and Malachi in the rebuilding of the temple.. Analyze the impact of the rebuilding of the temple on the religious life of the Israelites..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key events from creation to the return from exile.
- Focus on the roles and significance of major figures like Moses, David, and the prophets.
- Review the different types of sacrifices and their meanings.
- Understand the causes and consequences of the Babylonian exile.
- Compare and contrast the religious reforms of Hezekiah and Josiah.
- Practice essay questions on the major themes of the Old Testament, such as covenant, law, and prophecy.
- Create concept maps linking key events, figures, and themes within each module.
- Pay close attention to the geographical context of events and how it influenced the narrative.
- Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and address any areas where you struggled.
- Allocate specific study time for each unit, prioritizing those identified as peak difficulty periods.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CRS111 about?
This course, Old Testament Survey, provides a comprehensive introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures. It explores major historical periods from creation to the exile and return, covering key events like the formation of the Israelite nation and the rebuilding of the temple. Students will gain an understanding of the patriarchs, the development of prophecy, and the rise and fall of the monarchy. The course aims to provide a foundational understanding of Jewish history and its significance to Christianity.
How many units does CRS111 have?
CRS111, Old Testament (O.T) Survey, has 13 units across 3 modules, over 142 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CRS111?
CRS111 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Arts.
Is CRS111 hard?
CRS111 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does CRS111 take to study?
About 150 hours of study, spread across its 13 units.
How is CRS111 assessed?
CRS111 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with CRS111?
Religious Studies Teacher, Theologian, Historian, Archivist and Museum Curator.
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