Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module THEO2171: HEBREW PROSE TEXTS

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO2171: HEBREW PROSE TEXTS

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2023/24 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Biblical Hebrew (THEO1151) or equivalent.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop a good facility in reading biblical Hebrew prose, with an awareness of a range of Hebrew idioms and prose styles and of text-critical and exegetical issues.
  • To develop knowledge of the language introduced at level 1 or gained through equivalent study.
  • To equip students with skills and knowledge ancilliary to other modules which they are taking.

Content

  • The texts to be read in Hebrew are Deuteronomy 5-12 and Genesis 1-9. These will be studied with reference to linguistic, text-critical, and exegetical issues, and consideration will be given to their broader significance.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • An intermediate knowledge of biblical Hebrew.
  • An understanding of the text-critical and exegetical issues arising from the set texts.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • An ability to translate and appreciate the style of Hebrew prose texts.
Key Skills:
  • Generic linguistic skills.
  • Exegetical skills.

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. In this module, the seminars focus on discussion of the set texts.
  • Examinations assess subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in the structured presentation of information in written form under time constraints. In this module, facility and fluency in translation are also assessed.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars 44 2 per week in Terms 1 and 2 (exc week 10) and Term 3 1 hour 44
Preparation and Reading 156
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
three-hour unseen written examination 100%

Formative Assessment:

Preparation of text for each class


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