Module THEO53630: The Septuagint

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO53630: The Septuagint

Prerequisites

• Greek (classical or biblical)

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To introduce students to an up-to-date understanding of Septuagint studies with reference to: - the history of scholarship from the early 20th century to the present - developments in the Greek language (morphology and grammar) - translation strategies - different ancient Greek translations for the same materials - textual criticism - significance for research in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament
• To strengthen students' analytical skills through sustained readings of primary texts in Greek, with a particular focus on the Book of Tobit

Content

• 'Septuagint' is the term applied to a corpus of early translations of the Jewish scriptures into Greek written beginning from the second century BCE. This corpus still serves as the 'Old Testament' for the Greek Orthodox tradition. In addition it played a crucial role in the early development of both Christian and early Jewish ideas. Within biblical scholarship the Septuagint corpus has provided an important text-critical witness for early forms of the Hebrew scriptures.
• The module is in two parts. First, it examines general issues in the study of the Septuagint, including origin, text criticism, language, and translation technique. In the second part of the module, these issues are explored with reference to a particular text: the apocryphal book of Tobit. This part of the course is intended to give students experience in text criticism and translation, as well as to foster a sensitivity toward theological and ideological issues that these issues represent.

Learning Outcomes

• an understanding of the earliest sources which allude or refer to the production of Greek translations of sacred Jewish traditions in the Second Temple period
• a familiarity with the linguistic contexts within which the Jewish Greek scriptures were being produced
• knowledge of analytical tools which assist in interpreting the translation strategies adopted by the ancient translators from Semitic to Greek
• critical awareness of the textual, historical and social complexities behind the term 'Septuagint'

• a strengthened ability to read the Greek texts from the Septuagint
• the ability to identify translation strategies adopted in the texts
• an ability to compare parallel translations of the same materials - an ability to evaluate the translations against their wider linguistic and historical contexts

• advanced research skills, including the ability to identify, evaluate and summarise linguistic problems within a primary text
• analytical skills, which subject second literature to critical analysis in arriving at independent conclusions
• advanced communication skills, including the ability to construct sophisticated arguments based on interaction with primary materials

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

• After initial introductory lectures the module is delivered through intense reading sessions of selected Greek texts.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Preparation of texts plus one 5,000 word essay

■ 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