Module TMMC1011: Introduction to the Bible

Department: Theology, Ministry and Mission

TMMC1011: Introduction to the Bible

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• L4-20 Introduction to the Old Testament and L4-20 Introduction to the New Testament

Aims

• To enable students to have an overview of the purpose and content of the Old and New Testament, and representative texts within them, placed within their broader contexts.
• To enable students to become familiar with, and evaluate, the concepts, principles, methods and tools of modern scholarly biblical interpretation.
• To enable students to consider how these texts might be engaged appropriately and faithfully in the life, mission and ministry of the church today.
• To enable students to recognise and engage with questions and insights for faith raised by this study.

Content

• An initial overview of the Old and New Testaments.
• Exploration of selected genres and/or theological themes found in the Bible through representative texts from both Old and New Testaments.
• Study of these texts against their broader historical, literary, theological and cultural backgrounds.
• Introduction of various tools, methods and approaches used in modern biblical scholarship to interpret these texts with evaluation of the underlying concepts and principles.
• Exploration of what might constitute appropriate interpretations and applications of these texts in the life, mission and ministry of the contemporary church in regard to various issues.

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss diverse Old and New Testament texts intelligently and place them within their broader contexts.
• Demonstrate knowledge of some of the underlying concepts, methods and tools associated with the study of the Old and New Testaments.

• Identify the context and genre of selected biblical texts, and comment intelligently on their significance for the texts’ interpretation.

• Identify gather and evaluate source materials for a specific purpose.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches, communicating their findings sensitively and accurately.
• Carry out a guided task that involves: independent inquiry; management of time and resources; using IT; meeting deadlines; evaluating the task and learning from it.

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

• Lectures provide content, a conceptual framework and a survey of approaches within a subject area that enable students to locate their learning in a wider context, to make connections with other disciplines, and to evaluate and apply their learning to different contexts.
• Seminars offer students an opportunity to present, evaluate and apply their knowledge to specific contexts, and to engage with teaching staff and peers in debate and reflection.
• Guided reading in conjunction with lectures encourages independent learning and underpins the knowledge and understanding gained in lectures and seminars.
• Small group learning creates an environment where students learn to articulate their knowledge and understanding effectively and in a way that is relevant to the group and its context.
• Tutorials enhance learning by offering feedback and encouraging students to reflect on their own response to the knowledge and skills they have acquired.
• Placements and/or work-based learning ensures that students make habitual connections between knowledge, understanding, skills, professional practice and the reality of a specific context, under the supervision of an experienced practitioner.
• Programmed online learning materials guide students through knowledge content, its wider framework and different approaches to its application.
• Virtual discussion forums offer students the opportunity to articulate the knowledge and understanding they have acquired to others and to engage in informed debate.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be expected to demonstrate engagement with the subject matter and the learning outcomes throughout the module by suitable formative assessments that encourage integrative and reflective skills.

■ 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