Moses: An Unlikely Character (New)

 

Designated Wednesdays • 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. • Zoom

September 10, 17, 24 • October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 • November 5, 12

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Historical proofs for Moses’ existence and that of the Exodus have been elusive. In this course, we’ll present the improbability that Moses was a historical figure. Instead, we’ll explore Moses as an amalgam of folkloric influences and editorial strategies used to create the literary centerpiece of Israelite identity. To do so, we’ll parse (deconstruct) the Moses narrative from within, introducing its historical, linguistic (but you need not know any Hebrew) and storyboard incongruities. We’ll also address the story’s external structure to establish that a figure internal to the narrative could not have authored it. Beyond folklore, the Moses story will be offered as a wisdom tale that uses motifs standard in the ancient Near East. And we’ll investigate the ways in which the Moses story has been rewritten and repurposed to satisfy biblical and non-biblical agendas. Please pre-read the books of Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Bring a Bible (your choice, but a translation, not a summary interpretation), an open mind and a respect for others’ views.

Instructor: Dr. Craig Miller     Coordinator: Dr. Ben Hubbard