Field School Syllabus Introduction to the Archaeology and Land of Israel Course Description This three or six unit course centers on the tools and techniques employed in discovering the history and material culture of ancient Israel during the biblical periods and introduces students to the historical geography of the land of Israel. Appropriate for undergraduate and graduate credit in biblical studies, archaeology, and history, the course consists in field work, lectures, and field trips (pic). During the day, the methods and techniques used by archaeologists to reconstruct ancient cultures and history are examined through participation in the excavation of Tel Zayit/Zeitah. In the evening, lectures by professional staff members and expert guest lecturers address various topics in the fields of archaeology, history, geography, biblical studies, and language, as well as technical aspects of the excavation. On two weekends, students are introduced to the geography of the Land of Israel through field trips (pic) (optional for those not taking credit through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary) to sites and regions such as: Jordan Valley Wilderness (pic) Qumran Jezreel Valley Coastal Plain Negev (pic) Dead Sea (pic) Tiberias Shephelah Galilee (pic) Masada (pic) Capernaum Grading and Assignments (for course credit taken through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary*) Project Director Dr. Ron Tappy assigns final grades and works with the appropriate field and professional staff to evaluate students’ written assignments and performance in the field work. Student grades and credit are based upon the completion of all reading, writing, and field work assignments and attendance at all lectures and field trips. The major component of a student’s grade is based on performance in the field and participation in lectures (an average of three per week) and two overnight, weekend field trips. In addition, the following requirements must be met: 3 quarter credits Regions on the Run—Read before arriving Impression Reports—Completed after each field trip (two pages each) 6 quarter credits Regions on the Run—Read before arriving Impression Reports—Completed after each field trip (two pages each) For those interested in archaeology: A. Mazar, Archaeology of the Land of the Bible OR A. Ben-Tor, Archaeology of Ancient Israel For those interested in historical geography: Y. Aharoni, The Land of the Bible *Students are encouraged to arrange for credit through their home institution. Credit may also be earned through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools). Textbooks (for course credit taken through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary) Students need to purchase the books appropriate for the number of credits for which they register. Regions on the Run will be supplied at cost by the excavation. Other books are available through local book stores. Students should also bring a modern translation of the Bible (not a paraphrase). Regions on the Run is also available to those not taking credit through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. This 40-page book includes maps and information on the historical geography of Israel that give an excellent background for field trips, as well as relating geographical studies to biblical texts. Useful Resources Aharoni, Y., The Land of the Bible, revised and enlarged second edition. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1979. Aharoni, Y., and Avi-Yonah, M., The MacMillan Bible Atlas, third edition. New York: MacMillan, 1993. Ben-Tor, A., The Archaeology of Ancient Israel. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992. Mazar, A., Archaeology of the Land of the Bible. New York: Doubleday, 1990. Monson, J., Regions on the Run. Jerusalem: Biblical Backgrounds, 1998; Geographical Basics in the Land of the Bible: Maps for Marking. Jerusalem: Biblical Backgrounds, 1975, 1992. Murphy-O’Connor, J., The Holy Land, fourth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998. Shanks, H., ed., Ancient Israel, revised and expanded edition. Washington, D.C.: Biblical Archaeology Society, 1999; Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism. Washington, D.C.: Biblical Archaeology Society, 1992. Overview of Typical Week (subject to adjustment) Monday through Friday 4:15am Wake up! 4:30–4:45am Light breakfast of coffee/tea and bread in youth hostel 4:45–5:15am Transported to site in shifts 5:15am Begin excavating 8:30am Second breakfast at the site 11:00am Fruit Break 12:30–1:00pm Return to kibbutz in shifts (shower and change clothes) 1:00-4:30pm Lunch and free time 4:30–6:00pm Pottery washing and marking (Monday through Thursday) (pic) 6:00-7:00pm Evening lectures (three per week) 7:15pm Dinner and free time Friday, 1:00pm, to Sunday night (excluding the final week, when work extends until Friday evening) Free time (field trip participants should remain at the kibbutz on Friday nights of field trip weekends to catch the Saturday morning bus departure)