Course Description:

Bethlehem is a city of antiquity. It is remembered as the city of David, where tradition claims the great Jewish king was born. It is known as the location of the Christmas story––the place where Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room in the inn. And today, it is a city in the West Bank, inhabited mostly by Palestinians, and viewed as “occupied territory” by many. Yet what does history tell us about this place? What has archaeology revealed and how do these discoveries help us understand Bethlehem and all of its religious connections today? This course will dive into the earliest known history of Bethlehem and stretch from the time of the Canaanites until today.

Topic Outline/Schedule:

Week 1, March 12: Ancient Bethlehem

Week 2, March 19: From Egypt to Israel

Week 3, March 26: Ruth and Kings

Week 4, April 2: The Location of Jesus’s Birth

Week 5, April 9: Misconceptions

Week 6, April 16: Herodium