Module THEO3621: Reading Greek Sources about the Historical Jesus

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO3621: Reading Greek Sources about the Historical Jesus

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To familiarize students with the methods, issues and resources involved in working with source texts in their original language.
• To hone students’ skills in the close reading of and critical engagement with primary texts.
• To build on students’ prior knowledge of biblical exegesis acquired at levels 1 and 2.

Content

• In this Course, Greek Sources which are relevant for the Historical Jesus will be read. The methods of translating and textual criticism will be trained and assessed with regard to their importance for the study of the Historical Jesus. Students are expected to learn translation as a means of getting in close contact with a text. This course can be attended by students taking part in the seminar on the Historical Jesus but also by everyone else who wants to train philological skills.

Learning Outcomes

• A coherent and detailed knowledge of philological and text-critical methods and resources.
• A detailed knowledge of biblical and extra-biblical sources relevant to the study of the historical Jesus, and an understanding of the textual witnesses to those sources.
• An improved understanding of Biblical Greek.

• Ability to read, interpret, and evaluate sources pertaining to the historical Jesus (especially the Synoptic Gospels).
• Ability to evaluate extra biblical sources for the interpretation of Jesus traditions.

• Generic language skills.
• Skills in the acquisition and interpretation of information through close, nuanced reading of primary and secondary sources.
• Skills in the structured presentation of information in written form.
• Skills in the conducting of research.
• Skills in thinking theologically and historically

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

• Seminars enhance subject-specific knowledge and understanding both through preparation and through interaction with students and staff, promoting awareness of different viewpoints and approaches.
• 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

in class exercises