a. A history of the origin and development of the documentary hypothesis.
b. A presentation of the contemporary higher critical thought, including. (1) the basic differences between contemporary higher critical thought and its earlier stages (has it changed over the years, and, if so, how?). (2) the major proponents of contemporary higher critical thought. (3) the basic propositions of contemporary higher critical thought as this relates to the Pentateuch.
c. A scholarly evaluation of the contemporary claims of higher criticism, referencing: (1) the philosophical presuppositions and foundations of higher critical thought. (2) how such critics handle the text of Scripture. (3) how such critics respond to criticisms. (4) how such critics deal with extra-biblical material (archaeological evidence, etc.). (5) arguments against higher critical thought by conservative scholars.
