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DR251Q: EXPLORING THE NEW TESTAMENT (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04


Course Overview

This course will provide a level 2 (SCQF 8) version of DR1073/1573, “Exploring the New Testament,” differentiated from this by an assessment format appropriate to the SCQF Level. The courses will be delivered together, allowing efficient delivery of content. The character and contribution of the course is that of a survey-type module, of the kind that is standard in the early years of a biblical studies curriculum, and that contributes foundational knowledge for the Divinity (Theology and Religious Studies) programme, as well as being of broader interest to students outside this programme.  

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr J Thomas Hewitt
  • Dr Katherine Hockey

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • One of () or Certificate in Christian Studies or Diploma in Christian Studies
  • Programme Level 2

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The New Testament is a small library of 27 texts, produced by followers of Jesus in the period A.D. 30 to 120 or so, which has had a unique impact on Western civilization. This course explores such issues as these: the formation of the New Testament collection; the NT manuscripts that have reached us, and the problems of establishing the "correct" text and translation; criteria for establishing the authorship and chronology of the texts; what Paul's letters reveal about both his self-understanding and that of other groups in the first Christian generation; what the gospels and Acts reveal about unity and diversity in the second generation and possibly later; what other NT writings and texts that did not find a place in this collection have to say about these issues. Since these texts hint at the complex relations between the new groups of Christ's followers, on the one hand, and both Jewish and Graeco-Roman society on the other, those questions also arise in a preliminary way.


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

2000 word essay 50%

2500 word essay 50%

 

Resit: 3000 word essay 100%

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualApplyKnow how to bring standard historical questions to the New Testament texts.
ConceptualAnalyseBe able to distinguish, identify, and explain passages from different NT texts on the basis of themes and language.
ReflectionEvaluateRead both primary and secondary texts more actively, with a curious and problem-solving mindset.
ConceptualUnderstandBe aware of the most significant current debates in New Testament scholarship.

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