Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)
Module THEO1931: Introduction to the Bible: Texts, History, Culture
Department: Theology and Religion
THEO1931: Introduction to the Bible: Texts, History, Culture
| Type | Open | Level | 1 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2023/24 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To examine a range of important Old Testament texts and genres and their relationship with their historical and cultural backgrounds.
- To examine the theological and religious ideas of OT literature within their original context.
- To discuss important historical and literary approaches to OT literature.
- To equip students with skills and knowledge for further study of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament.
Content
- This module offers a selective introduction to the content of both the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament, and to representative issues of their interpretation, and introduces students to the close reading and analysis of biblical texts.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- A knowledge of the characteristic interpretative challenges posed by the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament.
- A knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with the study of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament, and an ability to evaluate and interpret these within their contexts.
- An introduction to the close reading and analysis of selected biblical texts.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Skills in the close reading of biblical texts, and of related ancient texts.
Key Skills:
- Skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.
- Skills in the analysis of texts.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Through lectures the teachers will exemplify an engaged and engaging approach to the biblical subject-matter, which will enable students to develop a clear understanding of the Bible and biblical interpretation, and to improve their skills in listening and in evaluating issues of both method and content.
- About half of the lectures will run more like workshops, allowing students to improve their critical reading skills and prepare for summative assignments.
- Summative essays assess subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.
- Examinations will assess subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with skills in the structured presentation of information and the making of reflective judgements in written form under time constraints.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures, about half of which function like workshops | 40 | 2 per week in the first two terms | 1 hour | 40 | |
| Preparation | 160 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Text Analysis | Component Weighting: 20% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Text Analysis | 1000 words | 100% | |
| Component: Essay | Component Weighting: 30% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Essay | 2000 words | 100% | |
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 50% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Written Examination | 2 hours | 100% | |
Formative Assessment:
Class work in reading and analysis of texts.
■ 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