This course is designed to introduce the student to the archaeology and material culture of the Land of the Bible. The course has the following objectives: A) to introduce students to the rich matrix of material culture related to the peoples of biblical times in that region, B) to integrate these physical remains into an overall humanistic understanding of the biblical world, C) to supply the student with the tools to evaluate archaeological discoveries in relation to the biblical narrative, and, D) to introduce the student to the interrelationship of various sources—texts, artifacts, iconography, etc.—for interpreting and understanding the past. This course has no prerequisites.

We will cover the period from the Epi-Paleolithic period (ca. 10,000-8,500 B.C.) to the first-century A.D. Classes will be devoted primarily to Keynote™ lectures. We will also see video presentations.

The final grade will be based on the total grades from multiple choice tests: two mid-term examinations, worth 33 points each, and a final examination worth 34 points. Students will be supplied with Gradescope test forms.

The second mid-term, and the final test, will include only material covered since the previous test. The class session prior to each test will be spent in reviewing the material covered in the test. Letter grades assigned will follow the standard TAMU scale: 100-90 = A, 89-80 = B, 79-70 = C, 69-60 = D, 59 and below = F.