| Unit name | The Bible in the Academy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS10058 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Campbell |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
The unit will provide an outline of the history of the academy's encounter with the Bible, including both historical-critical (e.g. redaction criticism) and post-historical-critical approaches (e.g. the Bible as literature). It will then turn to one particular biblical book (e.g. Deuteronomy) and the different ways in which it has been understood by scholars over the years, focusing on a particular approach or approaches (e.g. Feminist Criticism). The impact of the ancient manuscripts among the Dead Sea Scrolls will also be considered. Each week the tutor will give a one-hour lecture on a relevant key theme (e.g. content and structure of the biblical book concerned), while a second hour will be a seminar in which students discuss specific aspects of that theme in small groups and then report to the whole class in the final fifteen minutes. All ancient sources will be used in English translation. This unit aims to provide the means to understanding:
(1) the overall nature of the Bible's reception in the academy;
(2) the different ways in which a given biblical book has been handled by scholars;
(3) the results of one particular approach or set of related approaches to that biblical book.
It also aims to:
(4) provide appropriate opportunities to develop skills in critical thinking and in written and oral communication.
Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to demonstrate:
(1) an understanding of the overall nature of the Bible’s reception in the academy;
(2) an understanding of the different ways in which a given biblical book has been handled by scholars;
(3) an understanding of the results of one particular approach or set of related approaches to that biblical book.
(4) skills in critical thinking and in written and oral communication, appropriate to level C/4.
One 1 hour lecture and one 1 hour seminar per week.
One summative coursework essay of 1500 words (50%) and one 2 hour examination (50%). Both will assess ILOs 1-4.
Old Testament Guides; New Testament Guides; Guides to Apocrypha & Pseudepigrapha;
J Barton, Reading the Old Testament (1997);
J Court, Reading the New Testament (1997);
J. Barton & J Muddiman (eds), Oxford Bible Commentary (2002);
DN Freedman (ed), Anchor Bible Dictionary (vols 1-6; 1992);
JH Hayes (ed), Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation (vols 1-2; 1999)
