Module THEO2281: THE PSALMS

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO2281: THE PSALMS

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To introduce students to the content of the Psalter, to explore how the critical study of various Psalm-types opens a window on to the cultus and spirituality of Israelite society, to understand their evolution into a meditative text in the later Old Testament period, and to examine the part they have played and continue to play in the worship and spirituality of the Christian faith and in the cultural heritage of the judaeo-Christian world.

Content

• The Psalms are a core text for our understanding not only of the religious life of ancient Israel but also of the subsequent development of the Jewish and Christian spiritual traditions. The course will cover the content of the Psalter, identification of the main types of Psalm, the principal critical approaches that have been applied to psalm-study and their significance for our understanding of the communities in which the psalms originated. It will also seek to understand the nature of the Psalter as a canonical text and its function within Jewish thought as a 'holy book', and explore the principal ways in which the Psalms have historically featured in the Christian liturgy, especially the daily office. Finally, the course will seek insight into how the Psalms have inspired English poetry and hymnody. Specific Psalms will be used as set texts for detailed study.

Learning Outcomes

• A knowledge and critical understanding of the well-established principles of study and main methods of enquiry in the field of Psalm studies, along with an understanding of the way in which those principles have developed, and an ability to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches.
• A knowledge of the content of the Psalter, and of the main Psalm-types.

• Skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures convey information and exemplify an approach to the subject-matter, enabling students to develop a clear understanding of the subject and to improve their skills in listening and in evaluating information.
• Seminars enhance subject-specific knowledge and understanding both through preparation and through interaction with students and staff, promoting awareness of different viewpoints and approaches.
• Through small-group discussion, tutorials provide feedback on student work and the opportunity to discuss specific issues in detail, enhancing student knowledge and writing skills.
• Formative essays develop subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.
• Examinations assess subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in the structured presentation of information in written form under time constraints.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One formative essay (2500 words).

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University