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2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LLLC1398 Key Texts in Middle Eastern Religions

20 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Samar Al-Afandi
Email: s.al-afandi@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module aims to provide an informed insight into the cultural and religious aspects of Middle Eastern religious texts. The module shall explore the inter and intra textual themes present within the faiths established in the Middle East.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to ...
1) Demonstrate an informed awareness of the key themes within Middle Eastern religions
2) Interpret and analyse the Abrahamic scriptures: the Jewish and Biblical texts, the Qur’an, the Zoroastrian Avesta and the Yezidian Book of Revelation
3) Critically assess the influence of the religious texts on theological discourse
4) Critically examine the intra and inter-relationships between various religious texts within the Middle Eastern religions.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students will:

- Demonstrate an understanding of the history and theology of the Middle Eastern religious texts
- Identify similarities and differences between the faiths from a comparative angle.
- Develop the ability to critically analyse the intra and inter textual relationships between the religious faiths present in the Middle East

Skills outcomes
-Development of independent learning and critical thinking techniques
-Development of skills of comparative analysis
-Enhanced communication skills (oral and written)
- Development of independent research skills to locate information from a variety of sources
- Ability to construct an argument using appropriate evidence


Syllabus

- The Hebrew Scriptures: Analysis of the characteristics, style, themes and evolution of the scripture.
- Impact of Talmudic literature: The genesis and development of rabbinic literature and its impact on the Jewish diaspora.
- The Psalms: The impact of Psalmist literature on the community of David
- The Gospels: The development and impact of the Gospels on the early Christian communities in the Middle East.
- The Zoroastrian Avesta: The impact of Mazdean dualism in light of the Avestan paradigm
- The evolution of the Yazdean paradigm on the followers of the Peacock religion.
- Contextualizing the Qur’an: Theme, text and style in scripture
- Meccan and Madinan Suras: Analysis of the characteristics, themes and style of the 114 chapters of the Qur'an
- Methodology of tafsir: A look at the role and development of the schools of Tafsir in early Islamic history
- The vehicle of revelation: a look at the significance and wisdom behind the gradual revelation of the Qur’an.
- The compilation of the Hadith: Historical development concerning the compilation of canons of Hadith Literature.
- Hadith in Islamic tradition: Development of the role and significance of the Hadith in Islamic tradition
- Sunni-Shia dynamics in Hadith literature
- Hadith Criticism and Scholarship

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar111.0011.00
Private study hours178.00
Total Contact hours22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Time for private study is expected to break down as follows:
4 hours preparation per seminar = 44 hours
Exam preparation = 68 hours
Research, planning and writing answers for the workbook = 66 hours


Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The progression of student will be monitored via:
Regular class attendance, preparation for seminars discussions, and assessed essay

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Written Work2000 words short answer question book40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)40.00

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 mins60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)60.00

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: 21/12/2018

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