Module THMN3197: Imagining Jesus

Department: Theology and Ministry

THMN3197: Imagining Jesus

Prerequisites

• THMN1011 Introduction to the Old and New Testaments, THMN2021 New Testament Texts

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This module aims to help students build on their gospel studies at level two, by introducing them to the complex field of the Quest of the historical Jesus, and by giving opportunity to develop their own critical and imaginative response to the portrayals of Jesus in the canonical gospels.

Content

• Indicative summary of syllabus:
• 1. Introduction to the hermeneutical challenges of interpreting the gospels as a source for Jesus Studies, Christology and Soteriology, with a focus on Christ as ‘King’
• 2. Exploration of the range of historical methods and assumptions employed by scholars of the Quest of the historical Jesus in the 18th and 19th Centuries
• 3. The legacy of Albert Schweitzer (Eschatological approaches to Jesus) and the Christ of Faith School
• 4. The Renaissance of the Quest (‘New Quest’, ‘Third Quest’, Jesus Seminar).
• 5. Who is Jesus Christ?
• Jesus in his context
• Jesus in our context

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module, students will:
• be able to demonstrate their understanding of the complexity of the canonical gospels as sources for historical and theological investigation
• have a critical awareness of the role played by the interpreter’s culture and background on the discipline
• have developed their own critically informed imagination for the use and interpretation of Jesus traditions

• By the end of the module, students will be able to:
• represent critically and fairly the views of a range of scholars of the Quest
• identify the strengths and the weaknesses of these
• evaluate and critically analyse the canonical gospels, along with secondary sources from the various stages of the ‘Quest for the Historical Jesus’
• make circumspect use of a range of resources in order to identify appropriate source material
• offer interpretive reconstructions of the traditions surrounding Jesus of Nazareth, which could be shared in various contexts outside the academic setting

• By the end of the module, students will be able to:
• tackle a subject area by way of a range of methods of investigation
• communicate information, ideas, principles and theories on a topic in written form
• identify, gather and analyse primary data and source material
• critically engage with the ideas and convictions of others
• show independence in thought, and critical self-awareness about their own beliefs, commitments and prejudices

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

• Overall, the sessions in this course will combine a variety of teaching and learning strategies. These include:
• Lecture Material: to convey information and to illustrate an approach to the primary sources and the scholars contributing to historical and theological studies of Jesus. This will enable to develop and build on a clear understanding of the subject.
• Plenary Discussion: to give students the opportunity to engage critically with material presented by the Course Tutor, ask questions, and engage with the questions and perspectives of others.
• Small Group Discussions:
• to provide opportunities for developing and exploring questions relating to the key features of the subject, such as a particular historical method, or an interpretation of a pivotal story about Jesus in the gospels
• to give space for students to articulate their own questions and avenues of investigation
• to offer constructive and supportive feedback and advice.
• Tutorial with Course Tutor: to enable the student to explain the direction of their own reading and research, and to facilitate the sharpening of focus for the formative task.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

A 250 word bibliography in respect of the topic chosen for Part 2 of the Summative Assessment, and a 1000 word historical and theological analysis of the same.

■ 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