Assemblies of God Spanish Eastern District

Richmond Hill Bible Institute

Syllabus
Course:

BIB 317 Archeology: Manners and Customs

Objective:

This course is designed to introduce the student to the archeology,

material culture of the lands of the Bible and manners and customs of
the peoples of the Bible. We will cover the periods of Ancient Israel (ca.
10,000-8,500 B.C.) until the 1st-century A.D.

Instructor:

Guesnerth Joshua Perea josh@guesnerth.nyc (718) 314-0410

Course Website:

www.guesnerth.nyc/archeology-class.html

Required Texts:

1. The Holy Bible

2. The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times by Ralph Gower
ISBN: 9780802459657

Suggested Texts:

1. The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era: Exploring

the Background of Early Christianity by James Jeffers
2. The Social World of Ancient Israel by Victor H. Matthews
3. The Manners and Customs of Bible Times by Victor H.
Matthews

Grading Breakdown: 33% Midterm Exam, 34% Final Presentation, 33% Attendance
/ Participation
Midterm Exam:

There will be a midterm exam during the 4th week of the class.
The exam will be to test your basic understanding of the topics
covered in Part I of the class and text book.

Course Description: An introduction to the landscape and socio-economic

conditions of communities during the time of the Bible. This
course focuses on periods in Israel's history to show how
Scripture, as well as extra-biblical and archaeological
information, reveals details about ancient life. The student will
gain more in depth knowledge regarding the context of biblical
passages from an archaeological-historical perspective.
Final:

Students will devote the duration of the class to working on a

research topic related to archeology and the Bible from the
following five topics:
a. Describe the Role of Women in the Bible (Either Old
Testament or New Testament or compare and
contrast both)

Assemblies of God Spanish Eastern District

Richmond Hill Bible Institute
a. Guiding questions: How were roles defined?
How did roles change? What position did
women hold?
b. Compare and contrast Salomons Temple and Herods
Temple.
a. Guiding questions: What was different? Why
was it different? What were its purposes?
c. Describe war during the conquest of Canaan by
Joshua
a. Guiding questions: How did the impoverished
Hebrews make war? Were they successful?
What were some strategies?
d. Describe travel during the New Testament period.
a. Guiding questions: How was it done? Where
were people traveling?
e. Describe food and its importance in the Bible.
a. Guiding questions: Why did God institute
dietary laws? What was a traditional Israelite
diet? How did that change after the
Babylonian/Greek/Roman captivities?
Students will present to the class a ten to fifteen-minute
presentation on the topic. All presentations will be made in
front of the class, the use of PowerPoint, or other presentational
tools is recommended, but not required. Students must also
submit a written outline of the presentation. Presentations must
have a minimum of four extra-biblical sources and no more than
two web sources. Presentations will be made during the last
two weeks of class and you must discuss your topic with the
teacher prior to selecting it.
Course Schedule
Date
1/12/15
1/19/15
1/26/15
2/2/15
2/9/15
2/16/15
2/23/15

Topics Discussed
Introduction, Course Outline & Chapters 1 & 2
Chapters 3-6 (Domestic Activities through Education)
Chapters 7-10 (Agriculture through Craftsman and Traders)
1st Half: Midterm Exam 2nd Half: Chapters 11 & 12
Chapters 13 & 14
1st Half: Chapters 15 & 16 2nd Half: Presentations I
1st Half: Chapters 17 & 18 2nd Half: Presentations II