Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2025-2026

Module THEO3051: Advanced Greek Texts

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO3051: Advanced Greek Texts

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2025/2026 Module Cap Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • New Testament Greek and Exegesis (THEO1161) or
  • equivalent.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop student understanding of Ancient Greek through reading selected passages from texts relevant to study of the New Testament.
  • To develop advanced skills in Ancient Greek with respect to the translation and exegesis of these passages.
  • To encourage engagement with up-to-date scholarship on the relevant texts.

Content

  • This module serves as an exegetical introduction to the
  • chosen texts and selected passages.
  • In addition to improving students' exegetical skills, this
  • module is designed to sharpen their critical awareness of the
  • theological issues which the chosen texts raise.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • The ability to translate accurately and comment on matters of
  • language, content and major textual variants.
  • The ability to engage with advanced scholarship in discussion
  • of the historical, literary and theological content of the
  • text.
  • The ability to form one's own interpretation of the text, in
  • debate with the recent or past history of interpretation.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Exegetical skills.
  • Skills in translation.
Key Skills:
  • Generic linguistic skills.

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

  • Seminars convey information and exemplify an approach to the
  • subject-matter, enabling students to develop a clear understanding of
  • the subject and to improve their skills in listening and in evaluating
  • information. In this module they also facilitate reading of
  • Greek.
  • Formative pieces of exegesis develop subject-specific
  • knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in exegesis, in
  • the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the
  • structured presentation of information in written form.
  • Examinations assess subject-specific knowledge and
  • understanding, along with student skills in the structured presentation
  • of information in written form under time constraints.
  • Summative essays assess subject-specific knowledge and
  • understanding, along with student skills in the acquisition of
  • information through reading and research, and in the structured
  • presentation of information in written form.
  • Summative presentations and class-led discussions enhance the ability to select relevant academic information and develop skills of oral communication, presentation and debate, including the employment of relevant media. They help develop a collaborative and dialectic approach to learning and working with a text.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars 10 fortnightly 2 hours 20
Preparation and Reading 180
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
On Campus Written Examination 1.5 hours 100%
Component: Presentation Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Presentation 30 minutes 100%
Component: Essay Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
essay 3000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

One essay (2000 words).


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