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2012/13 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
THEO3015 The Hebrew Scriptures
20 creditsClass Size: 20
Module manager: Johanna Stiebert
Email: j.stiebert@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2012/13
This module is mutually exclusive with
THEO2030 | The Hebrew Scriptures |
This module is approved as an Elective
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.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module students will be expected
- to have an advanced knowledge of the content, formation and historical, literary and social contexts of the Hebrew Bible;
- to have a nuanced understanding of the diverse ways in which Hebrew Bible texts are read, interpreted and used;
- to demonstrate thorough knowledge of several key Hebrew Bible texts and themes.
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 type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Lecture | 22 | 1.00 | 22.00 |
Seminar | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
Private study hours | 173.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 27.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 |
Private study
Lecture preparation (including readings for lectures) - 50 hoursSeminar preparation (including readings) - 10 hours
Essay preparation - 113 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Attendance at lectures and seminars is compulsory and will be monitored.Active participation in seminars is expected.
Tutorials during office hours will be strongly encouraged, especially with regard to planning the essays for assessment.
Regular email communication will be conducted.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Essay | 2 x 3,000 word essay | 100.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 11/04/2013
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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