Ancient Near Eastern Studies: Hebrew Bible

History and Culture of Ancient Near East

Learn and be able to interpret the significant events and developments in the history and cultures of the ancient Near East, including the history and culture of ancient Israel and surrounding civilizations (e.g., Egypt, Greater Syria, and Mesopotamia).

Ancient Text Interpretation

Be able to translate and interpret major ancient Near East texts, including the Hebrew Bible, and analyze their significance for understanding the cultures that produced them. They will also learn proper hermeneutical skills and practice sound exegesis as well as learn how to do modern readings, including readings from a Latter-day Saint perspective.

Language Proficiency

Acquire and demonstrate functional capacity in Hebrew and textual interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, being able to read, comprehend, analyze, and interpret these significant religious and historical texts with methodological soundness. Students are also encouraged to gain exposure to other pertinent ancient languages (e.g., Aramaic, Ugaritic, Syriac, Greek) and modern research languages (such as German, French, and Modern Hebrew).

Critical Thinking

Develop the capacity for informed, independent, critical thinking, be able to perform appropriate library and online scholarly research, and use these skills in the professional study of the ancient Near East.

Analytical Writing

Be able to write cogent and substantial research papers on a university level that utilize theoretical and methodological approaches from the Social Sciences and Humanities that integrate historical and artifactual analysis with the translation, analysis and interpretation of ancient Near Eastern texts and topics.

Academic Integrity

Understand and comply with the ethical standards adhered to by professionals in the academic fields of textual analysis, archaeology, and historical research and encouraged to follow them.

Academics and Faith

Consider the relationship between academics and faith through models of academically sound but also faithful scholarship. Seek a spiritually informed, lifelong pursuit of learning, scholarship, and service.