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HIST 5/321 Cultural Backgrounds of the Bible

Lectures: Tuesdays at 8:00pm - 10:30pm Eastern Time

Credit Hours: 3

Cost: $540 Audit; $2,085 Credit 

Field Study Cost: $1,950 per student, $2,150 per guest (Cost does not include flights)

Recorded Lectures: Yes

Description

An analysis of various aspects of life in biblical times provides focal points to help the student understand biblical customs and ways of thought more accurately.

Objectives

By the end of the course, a student should be able to:

  • Gained a comprehensive understanding of the cultural world of the Bible, including aspects of society, identity, economy, subsistence, art, and religious expression.
  • Observed modern practices and customs relevant to interpreting biblical traditions.
  • Developed skills for identifying and applying cultural information to the study of biblical texts.

Equivalencies

  • Cultural anthropology
  • Socio-cultural studies
  • History
  • Bible

 

Field Study

This course is offered online with an in-person field study component. 

Dates: 9-16, May 2026

Description: Non-in-residence students will arrive in Jerusalem and stay at JUC for the night before departing to Jordan for a six-day interactive field study to traditional villages and Bedouin areas in Jordan. Students will practice traditional farming and cooking practices, stay in Wadi Rum in a tentwith a Bedouin family, ride camels, hike down Wadi Dana, and spend time with a shepherd. This field study is designed to experience traditional life as much as possible and, as a result, is JUC's most rugged field study. Students will sleep in tents, spend two nights in Wadi Rum with no running water, and go on a nine-mile hike.

The field study will return to JUC's campus in Jerusalem on the evening of 15 May, and students should book their departure for 16 May.

This field study is mandatory for all students taking the course for credit. It is optional for audit students.

Sample Itinerary: View Sample Itinerary

Cost: $1,950 per student, $2,150 per guest (Cost does not include flights)

Registration Deadline: 6 February 2026
Field study registration and payment instructions will be emailed to students who first register for the course.

Informational Meetings: Register for an informational meeting to learn more about the field study and class from the faculty members! 
Info sessions for Cultural Backgrounds of the Bible:

  • Wednesday, January 8 at 01:00 PM 
  • Thursday, January 22 at 01:00 PM

Sign Up for an Meeting

Instructor

Rev. Dr. Oliver Hersey: President, Jerusalem University College. B.A., Calvin College; M.A., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Began teaching at JUC in 2021.

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Oliver Hersey

Join this Course

New Online Students:
The JUC Online application is open.

Apply Here

Returning Online Students:
Re-application is not required. Course registration information will be provided via email and in your JUC Portal.

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