Religious Experience in the Ancient Mediterranean

This course addresses the question of the uniqueness of the religious experiences and practices of the Old and New Testaments. The insights of anthropology, archeology, and the history of religions approach reveal that the experience of both testaments shared much with the peoples of the ancient Mediterranean. This course will survey the ways in which the sacred and the holy were perceived, experienced, and interpreted and their influence on both testaments. Readings, lectures, and discussions. Two short essays and one longer final essay of 10 pages (25 for AD students) comprise the written portion of the course. AD students will have additional readings and a meeting with the instructor.