Lesson 1 Introduction: The Role, Methods & Focus of Historical
                Geography in Biblical Studies

 Learning Objectives
A student completing this lesson should be able to:
  1. Define the role of geography in biblical studies;
  2. Discuss the development of the field of biblical historical geography from 19th C onwards;
  3. Discuss the various viewpoints on the importance and geographic extent of the 'promised land';
  4. Locate and explain the importance of the the sites acquired, used or established by the Patriarchs in the land of Canaan.

Reading Assignment

TOPIC

 REQUIRED READING SUPPLEMENTAL READING

Topic 1 Definitions, Sources & Approach

Beitzel (pp.x-xii; 14-17).

Cleave (pp. 4-5, 240).

Rainey, A. F.(1982). "Historical Geography: The Link between Historical and Archeological Interpretation." The Biblical Archaeologist, 45:4, 217-223.

Ben-Arieh, Y. (1989). "Nineteenth-Century Historical Geographies of the Holy Land." Journal of Historical Geography, 15:1, 69-79.

Brodsky, H.(1992). "Interpretation of Maps Based on the Bible." Geographical Review, 82:4, 430-440.

 Baly, D. (1982). "Review: What to Look for in a Biblical Atlas." The Biblical Archaeologist, 45: 1, 61-62.

Topic 2 Biblical Land of Promise

Genesis 1:1-2:15

Genesis 12-36

Beitzel - Geographical Intro (pp. 18-32).

Beitzel - Patriarchal Migrations (pp.98-105).

Cleave - Near East Setting & The Holy Land (pp. 6-9).

  

Viewing Assignment
Lecture 1  Introduction"  Watch Download MP3
Lecture 2  Gs"  Part 1 Watch Download MP3
Lecture 2  Gs"  Part 2 Watch Download MP3

 Forum Assignment (due January 28)

Complete your icebreaker assignment. For credit, you will need to make three postings consisting of your short autobiography and two comments on the autobiographies of other students. The purposes of this icebreaker assignment are for you to introduce yourself to your classmates, to verify your enrollment in this course, and to promote student interaction. The icebreaker assignment is due by the eighth day of the semester (Friday, January 29). Post your autobiography as a reply to the "Bios" topic on the course forum. You can earn 25 bonus points in this course by doing so “on time.” On this assignment there is no credit granted for postings made after January 29.

Words, People and Phrases

biogeography

 meteorology

Anson Rainey
climatology oceanography

Dean Arthur P. Stanley

economic geography

 philology Denis Baly
geology

physical geography

 H.B. Tristram
geomorphology

political geography

Edward Robinson

historical geography

settlement geography

George Adam Smith

human/cultural geography

 toponymy

Michael Avi-Yonah
   

Palestine Exploration Foundation 1865 (PEF)
    Sir Charles Warren
   

Sir Charles Wilson
   

Sir George Grove
   

Yohanan Aharoni
Map Exercises

Be able to locate on a map the following places:

Be'er Sheva

Mt Moriah
Bethel Nahal Mizraim
Boundaries of the land promised to Abraham Route of the Patriarchs
Boundaries of the Land of Canaan Salem
Euphrates Shechem
Hebron/ Mamre Zoar
Mahanaim  
Exam 1
Take the Lesson 1 Exam. It is an open book exam, with a 90 minute time limit, worth 40 points.

Writing Assignment

1. Briefly analyze Genesis 12-36 from a geographic perspective. Prepare a map showing the major locations mentioned and routes followed. List these places in a table on a separate sheet, briefly mention the significance of each. You may wish to group places by subject. This assignment is worth 40 points.

2. Before beginning your essay, carefully review the section How to Answer an Essay Question.

3. Submit your writing assignment as one file (See Assignments under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).