Dr. Robin J. DeWitt Knauth
Welcome to
my Home Page!
Assistant Professor, Department of Religion, Lycoming College
Snowden
Director, Program in Archaeology and Culture of the Ancient Near East and
Mediterranean
(formerly "Near Eastern Culture and Archaeology")
See the program requirements from the Lycoming College Catalogue.
Contact Info:
office D-314 (AC 3rd fl), campus box 3, email knauth@lycoming.edu,
phone (570)321-4298 (xGAYT), home (570)326-3822
("DAN-DUBB").
Schedule for Fall 2016:
MWF 8:15 10:05 am HEBR 221A (D-302) MWF 10:15 11:20 am REL 113A (B-309) MWF 11:50 12:30 Lunch in Caf MWF 12:45 1:50 pm REL 226A (B-309) M/W 2:30 3:30 pm Office Hours (D-314); W Lab Prep (Archaeology Lab) Mon 4:30 6:00 pm Faculty Mtgs (Heim G-09), occ. School Board mtgs Fri 3:15 4:20 pm (Nov/Dec) SCHOL 450-A (Lynn 153) T/Th 7:45 8:35 am (Nov/Dec) ARCH 449W-A (C-300) T/Th 9:45 11:35 am REL 337W-A (D-302) Th 11:40 11:55 am Lab Prep (Archaeology Lab)T/Th 11:55 12:50 Lunch(caf), Schol(Heim G-11), TPAC/TEff (Jonas/Schultz)
T/Th 1:00 2:50 pm ARCH 150 (C-302) Tu 3:00 4:50 pm ARCH 348/448 Archaeology Colloquium (C-303) Th 3:00 4:50 pm REL 226A Lab (C-301) Tu 5:00 9:00 pm occ. School Board mtgs Th 7:00 8:30 pm Church Choir (Trinity Episcopal Church)Tentative Schedule for Spring 2017: On Sabbatical!
Office Hours (D-314): M/W 11:2511:45 am, 2:303:30 pm, or by appointment (call, email).Tutoring is also available through the Academic Resource Center.
Current Courses (Fall2016): Hebr 221; Rel 113, 226,
337W
Course descriptions are taken from the
Lycoming College Catalogue, Religion Section.
Links are for course syllabi. Further links for other course materials will be found
within the syllabi.
HUMA 159f4: Origins Myth, Legend, and Archaeology at the Dawn
of Civilization (Freshman Seminar fall 2011, 2013, 2014; spr
2016) T/Th 9:45 am, D-301
Human beings, both ancient and modern, seem to have a
natural urge to explain the origin of things. This course uses an
interdisciplinary approach to explore the origins of civilization in the
ancient near East as viewed through (and explained by) ancient mythology,
foundation legends, and modern archaeological research. As a Freshman Seminar, this course stresses
development of basic skills for the college setting such as critical thinking,
critical reading, information literacy, oral and written communication,
teamwork, leadership and initiative.
REL 113: Old Testament Faith and History
(fall 1999
spring 2009, fall 2009
2014, 2015) MWF 3:15 pm, B309
A critical examination of biblical literature within
its historical setting and in the light of archaeological findings to show the
faith and religious life of the Hebrew-Jewish community in the Biblical period,
and an introduction to the history of interpretation with an emphasis on
contemporary Old Testament criticism and theology.
REL
224d: Judaism and Islam
(taught by George Adams in fall 2004, 2006; spring 2009)*
An examination of the rise, growth, and expansion of
Judaism and Islam with special attention given to the theological contents of
the literatures of these religions as far as they are normative in matters of
faith, practice, and organization. Also,
a review of their contributions to the spiritual heritage of humankind.
*(cp HIST 232: The Rise of
Islam, taught by Cullen Chandler in spring 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 MWF 12:45)
*(cp REL 210: Judaic Studies
- From the Exodus to the Romans, taught by Pamela Gaber fall 2011 T/Th 1-2:50 pm)
*(cp REL 211: Judaic Studies
- Talmud to Today, taught by Pamela Gaber in fall 2010, 2012 T/Th 1-2:50 pm)
*(cp REL 212: Islam,
scheduled to be taught by George Adams in spring 2012 M/W 4:30 6:20 pm)
REL 226d: Biblical Archaeology
(fall 1999
2004 ... 2009,
2015) MWF 12:45 pm + Lab Th 3:00-4:50, B309
An introduction to basic archaeological method in the
Near East with reference to major representative excavations in Israel, along
with artifacts and material culture recovered from various historical periods
(primarily Bronze Age and Iron Age), including study of the role of archaeology
in reconstructing the world in which biblical literature originated, and
archaeological results that clarify the biblical text.
REL
328d: History and Culture of the Ancient Near East (spring
2000
2003, 2004 ... 2009
2016)
MWF 12:45 pm, B309
A study of the history and culture of ancient Mesopotamia,
Egypt, Anatolia, and Syria-Palestine from the rise of Sumerian culture to
Alexander the Great. Careful attention
will be given to the critical use of primary documents (ancient inscriptions)
along with archaeology in reconstructing ancient history and culture, as well
as to the cultural legacy of the ancient Near East - including ancient Near
Eastern religious views as they interacted with the culture and faith of
biblical tradition.
REL
333I: Biblical Topics - Old Testament Women (spr2002
spr 2008,
spr 2014) T/Th 9:45 am, D302
Offered in cooperation with the Women
and Gender Studies Program, this seminar will involve in-depth study
of
a variety of biblical texts and themes relevant to the
roles and character of women in the Old Testament, including selections from
Genesis, Ruth, Esther, Song of Songs, Proverbs (esp. ch.
31), and the songs of Deborah and Miriam.
Excerpts from the prophecies of Hosea and Ezekiel will also be
considered. This is intended to be an upper-level seminar, which is offered as
"Writing-focused"
and thus will incorporate a variety of written assignments and attention to the
writing process. Alternate years.
REL 337W: Biblical Topics - Genesis (fall 2016?) T/Th 9:45 am, D301
Genesis is a story of beginnings in the Bible, setting
both a universal context and a relational context centered around
Gods covenants with his creation and humanity as a while, and with the
particular family of Abraham.
This course explores the various traditions conveyed
in the biblical book of Genesis within their appropriate historical, political,
cultural, literary, and theological contexts.
Students utilize various scholarly approaches and methods to better
understand the larger biblical message.
This is an upper-level seminar offered as writing focused, and thus
incorporates a variety of written assignments and attention to the writing
process.
REL
337W: Biblical Topics King David (spr
2004, fall 2005, fall 2007, fall 2011) T/Th 9:45 am, D302
King David is a central figure in biblical history and
literature, presenting a complex story of heroism, pathos and tragedy.
This course will explore the character of David in proper literary,
historical, political and theological context utilizing various scholarly
approaches and methodologies, to enlighten our understanding of the larger
biblical message. Using primarily the
books of 1-2 Samuel, with parts of Judges and 1Kings (in the "Deuteronomistic History"), we will look at the
development of David's character from various viewpoints in terms of the
"charismatic leadership ideal," in contrast with Saul, Absalom and
Solomon, and in the context of biblical debates over kingship and temple. Historical background and ancient Near
Eastern context will also be important.
This is intended to be an upper-level seminar, which will be offered as
writing focused and thus will incorporate a variety of written assignments and
attention to the writing process.
REL 337W: Biblical Topics - Moses and Exodus (fall 2009?) T/Th 9:45 am, D302
An in-depth study of the character of Moses in the
context of the Torah, particularly focusing on the book of Exodus along with
other related biblical and ancient Near Eastern texts, employing a variety of
academic methodologies. Exodus is an
extremely rich book, including a wide variety of genres and themes which are
pivotal for the national identity of Israel.
Starting with the book of Exodus, we can come to a much deeper
understanding of the Old Testament as a whole.
This is intended to be an upper-level seminar, which will be offered as
writing focused and thus will incorporate a variety of written assignments and
attention to the writing process.
REL 337W: Biblical Topics - Exodus (fall 1999, fall 2001) T/Th 3:00 pm, D302
An in-depth study of the book of Exodus along with
other related biblical and ancient Near Eastern texts, employing a variety of
academic methodologies. Exodus is an
extremely rich book, including a wide variety of
genres and themes which are pivotal for the national identity of Israel. Starting with the book of Exodus, we can come
to a much deeper understanding of the Old Testament as a
whole. This is intended to be an
upper-level seminar, which will be offered as writing focused and thus will
incorporate a variety of written assignments and attention to the writing
process.
REL 337W: Biblical Topics - Kingship Ideologies (spr 2000) T/Th 1:00 pm, C300
An in-depth study of Israelite Kingship Ideologies in
the Old Testament, along the theme of the "Anti-Power Struggle in
Israelite Kingship Ideals." Using
primarily the books of Judges, 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings (in the "Deuteronomistic History"), we will explore Israelite
kingship ideologies in their ancient Near Eastern context, including
pro-monarchic and anti-monarchic biases within the texts, and especially the
charismatic leadership ideal as exemplified by King David and contradicted by Solomon. This is
intended to be an upper-level seminar, which will be offered as writing focused
and thus will incorporate a variety of written assignments and attention to the
writing process.
HEBR 101-102: Biblical Hebrew Grammar & Readings (00-01, 02-03, ...08-09,
2015-2016) MWF 7:45, 9:00 am, D302
Fundamentals of Old Testament Hebrew grammar and readings
of selected passages of the Hebrew text.
HEBR 221: Readings in Biblical Hebrew Narrative (fall 2001, 2003
2009
2013, 2016) M/W 8:15-10:05 am,
D302
A critical reading of the Hebrew text of selected
narrative portions of the Old Testament with special attention being given to exegetical
questions. Texts vary in conjunction with current REL 337W seminar: Exodus
in 2009, Samuel in 2011, Genesis in 2013. Alternate years. Prerequisite:
HEBR 102 or equivalent.
HEBR
222: Readings in
Prophetic Books, Wisdom Literature (spr 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008
2014) M/W 8:15-10:05 am, D302
A critical reading of the Hebrew text of selected
portions of Old Testament prophecy and wisdom literature with special attention
being given to exegetical questions and poetic texts. The texts read vary from year to year.
This year, in conjunction with the REL333 seminar, we
will focus on the songs of Miriam and Deborah, Ruth, Esther, Hosea, Song of
Songs, Proverbs 31, and other texts relating to Women in the Old Testament.
Alternate years.
Prerequisite: HEBR 221 or
equivalent.
Find out more about our offerings in Biblical Languages!
Need a tutor for any of these courses? Visit the Academic Resource Center!
Hebrew Tutors: Patrick McGinley, Michael Tusay Religion Tutors: Patrick McGinley, Michael Tusay, Peter RojahnArchaeology Lab Assistants: Emily DiBiase, Peter Rojahn
Link to Table of Contents for RJDKnauth home page
Link to Religion Department home page
Link to Archaeology Program home page
Link to Lycoming College home page
Send Email to Robin J. DeWitt Knauth at one
of the following:
knauth@lycoming.edu
rdewitt@hds.harvard.edu
rdewitt@alumni.princeton.edu