FYS: Who Wrote the Bible? A Story of Scribes, Priests, Prophets, and Scholars

3 Credits.

This First-Year Seminar offers an introduction to the history of the Bible's composition, reception, and its use, with a focus on the different people who wrote, edited, and preserved it. Students will read biblical passages, and learn about the ancient scribal communities and the different people who created and preserved the texts that we today call the Bible (priests, prophets, and scholars). Students will also learn about and research the very different religious communities who valued and transmitted these texts, forming their own bodies of authoritative scripture. As part of this work, students will gain experience developing research questions and critical thinking as they work towards a final project on a facet of biblical text. Together, we will also go on field trips and examine ancient and modern objects and art inspired by the history of the Bible, and the people involved in its creation and transmission.