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2014/15 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

THEO2030 The Hebrew Scriptures

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Johanna Stiebert
Email: j.stiebert@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2014/15

This module is mutually exclusive with

THEO3015The Hebrew Scriptures

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The Hebrew Bible is an ancient and eclectic assortment of writings. It is also canonical for the Jewish and Christian communities. This course will explore what the Hebrew Bible contains, how its content relates to what can be ascertained about the historical, social and literary contexts in which this literature emerged, how this literature came to be canonical and what its resonances are - both in the context of worship and in terms of academic interpretation.

Objectives

This module will
- provide an overview of the Hebrew Bible's content
- explore the formation of the Hebrew Bible in its historical, literary and social contexts
- identify leading themes of the Hebrew Bible
- explore various academic methods of interpreting the Hebrew Bible.

Skills outcomes
- acquisition of critical and analytical skills
- evaluation of different perspectives and arguments
- acquisition of sensitivity to cultural and religious differences.


Syllabus

1. Introduction: What are the Hebrew Scriptures? What is a canon? What are the reasons and implications of the alternative names Tanakh and Old Testament? What are Septuagint and Apocrypha? Brief history of Hebrew Bible Content.
2. Difficult texts - Genesis and Ezekiel (read alongside extra-biblical books Jubilees and Genesis Apocryphon)
3. What is canonization? How did it happen?
4. Various methods of criticism: source criticism, the impact of archaeology, postmodernism.
5. The role and use of the Hebrew Bible in the Jewish tradition.
6. The influence of the Hebrew Bible on later Jewish religious texts: Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash, Responsa.
7. Focus text (Torah): Genesis 2-3, the story of Adam and Eve - its content, interpretation and resonance.
8. Focus text (historical texts): the story of king David - its content, interpretation and resonance.
9. The Exile- the event and its significance
10. The Dead Sea Scrolls.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture221.0022.00
Seminar51.005.00
Private study hours173.00
Total Contact hours27.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

- Lecture preparation (including readings for lectures): 54 hours
- Essay preparation: 60 hours
- Exam preparation: 59 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Attendance at lectures and seminars is compulsory and will be monitored.
- Tutorials during office hours will be strongly encouraged, especially with regard to planning the essays and exam for assessment.
- Regular email communication will be conducted.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay1 x 3,000 words50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 00 mins50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/03/2015

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