Description

This course offers an introduction to the archeology and geography of the Holy Land, touching upon various key themes for the understanding of the world of the Old and New Testament, with a focus on the way that archaeology and geography help a more critical reading of the texts.

Objectives

The course aims to guide the students to address the fundamental themes in a critical fashion, and have the basic tools to evaulate the impact on archaeology and geography on the reading of the Bible.

Method

The course takes the lectures to the field, and is based primaily on a series of site visits:

·  Jerusalem: Holy Sepulchre, Mount Sion, Mount of Olives, Hinnom and Kidron Valleys, City of David, Israel Museum, Rockefeller Museum.

·  Days trips outside Jerusalem: (1) Bethlehem, Ain Karem, Herodion, (2) Dead Sea: Masada, Qumran, Jericho, (3) Shephelah: Beit Guvrin, Azekah, Lachish; (4) Samaria: Tel Balata, Sebastya/Samaria, Mount Garizim, (5) Negev: Beersheba, Arad, Mamshit

·  Study trip to Galilee (1) Kasr al-Yahud, Beth Shean, Beth Alpha, Nazareth, (2) Tabgha, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Korazin, (3) Hazor, Caesarea Philippi/Banias, Dan, (4) Megiddo, Caesarea Marittima, Emmaus Nicopolis.

Evaluation

Assessment will consist of a written paper (90%). Participation in the visits and discussions will also be taken into account (10%).