Online Divinity 2023-2024

This course will explore religions of Ancient Greece and Rome.

This course contains a survey of the biblical literature of the Hebrew Bible and of the critical methods involved in its study. The course surveys the content, theology, and history of formation of key books within the Hebrew Bible. It also presents and critically evaluates source-critical, redaction-critical, form-critical, and canonical approaches to the biblical texts.

This course will explore the history and the theology of the church in Scotland from the Reformation to the present day.

In this course you will explore the fundamentals of the Hebrew language of the Jewish Bible / (Christian) Old Testament. You will learn how to read the Hebrew Bible aloud, how to follow its text when it is recited, and how to translate simple biblical passages on your own. The study of grammar will be facilitated by language immersion - you will learn Hebrew in Hebrew.

Latin 1 is an introductory, intensive course for those with little or no previous exposure to Latin. Students completing this course should have a Latin vocabulary of about 400 words and a basic understanding of Latin grammar and syntax. Students successfully completing this course will be adequately prepared to attend Latin 2. Students will very likely discover that their knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar/syntax is improved by their study of Latin. The etymological roots of many English words can be traced to the Latin language.

 

The course will introduce you to the first five centuries of Christian life and belief. It traces the rise of Christianity from its origins as a Jewish sect to a position of cultural and religious dominance in the Roman Empire. It also looks at the development of central themes in early Christian theology and spirituality. The course consists of a series of lectures on key topics, and tutorial seminars on researching and presenting your work, and on various early Christian texts. The course also requires your own reading and research.

The course will introduce students to the form of Greek found in the New Testament and help students to begin to read the New Testament in Greek. The programme will follow the textbook by J. Duff, Elements of New Testament Greek (Cambridge University Press, 2005). This is not to be confused with the textbook with the same title by John Wenham. 

The New Testament is a small library of 27 texts, which have had a unique impact on Western civilization. This course explores the authors, situations, audiences, and themes of the texts of the New Testament; the diverse voices and genres across the New Testament; the relation of early Christian literature to its Jewish and Graeco-Roman contexts; and an overview of some major critical debates and approaches relevant to New Testament Studies. This course is recommended preparation for the following Level 3/4 courses: The Practice of Biblical Interpretation; God & Salvation in the Gospels and Acts; and God & Salvation in the Letters of Paul.

This course will look at magic in the ancient Greek, Roman and Ancient Near Eastern World. The course will explore the concept of magic and key themes associated with magical rituals and practitioners. 

Located in the sub discipline of Practical Theology, this course will explore the theology and practice of Pastoral Care. 

In this course you will continue your exploration of fundamentals of the Hebrew language of the Jewish Bible / (Christian) Old Testament. You will improve your fluency in reading the Hebrew Bible aloud as well as your ability to follow its text when it is recited, and you will develop your skills in translating longer biblical passages on your own. The study of grammar will continue to be facilitated by language immersion - you will learn Hebrew in Hebrew.

This course explores primary themes in Practical Theology around inclusion. How has the Christian tradition understood questions of disability, suffering and difference in what it means to be human? Can insights from historical theology offer perspectives on contemporary practice? We will explore these questions through a survey of the historical tradition reflecting on attitudes to those who might have been deemed disabled. These historical works can provide a dialogue with contemporary questions as we think about inclusion in the church and society.

Latin 2 picks up where Latin 1 finished in first term. By the end of this course students should have a more or less comprehensive understanding of Latin syntax and grammar, a Latin vocabulary of 700-800 words, and should be capable of translating simple Latin texts into idiomatic English. Students will very likely discover that their knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar/syntax is improved by their study of Latin. 

This course, which builds on the foundations laid in DR1039, introduces further study of the grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Greek. 

What do Christians believe? Why do they believe it? Can it (despite everything!) possibly be true? And if so, what difference does it make? Taking an 'insider's view' of Christian belief, this course asks what it means to think and to speak Christianly--about God, Jesus, creation, religion, human community and responsibility, death, life and other little things.

This course will explore religions of Ancient Greece and Rome.

The course will introduce you to the first five centuries of Christian life and belief. It traces the rise of Christianity from its origins as a Jewish sect to a position of cultural and religious dominance in the Roman Empire. It also looks at the development of central themes in early Christian theology and spirituality. The course consists of a series of lectures on key topics, and tutorial seminars on researching and presenting your work, and on various early Christian texts. The course also requires your own reading and research.

This course contains a survey of the biblical literature of the Hebrew Bible and of the critical methods involved in its study. The course surveys the content, theology, and history of formation of key books within the Hebrew Bible. It also presents and critically evaluates source-critical, redaction-critical, form-critical, and canonical approaches to the biblical texts.

This course will explore the history and the theology of the church in Scotland from the Reformation to the present day.

This course explores primary themes in Practical Theology around inclusion. How has the Christian tradition understood questions of disability, suffering and difference in what it means to be human? Can insights from historical theology offer perspectives on contemporary practice? We will explore these questions through a survey of the historical tradition reflecting on attitudes to those who might have been deemed disadvantaged. These historical works can provide a dialogue with contemporary questions as we think about inclusion in the church and society.

What do Christians believe? Why do they believe it? Can it (despite everything!) possibly be true? And if so, what difference does it make? Taking an 'insider's view' of Christian belief, this course asks what it means to think and to speak Christianly about God, Jesus, creation, religion, human community and responsibility, death, life and other little things.

The New Testament is a small library of 27 texts, which have had a unique impact on Western civilization. This course explores the authors, situations, audiences, and themes of the texts of the New Testament; the diverse voices and genres across the New Testament; the relation of early Christian literature to its Jewish and Graeco-Roman contexts; and an overview of some major critical debates and approaches relevant to New Testament Studies. This course is recommended preparation for the following Level 3/4 courses: The Practice of Biblical Interpretation; God & Salvation in the Gospels and Acts; and God & Salvation in the Letters of Paul.

This course will look at magic in the ancient Greek, Roman and Ancient Near Eastern World. The course will explore the concept of magic and key themes associated with magical rituals and practitioners. 

Located in the sub discipline of Practical Theology, this course will explore the theology and practice of Pastoral Care.

This course will explore the role of animals and monsters in the Ancient Near East, ancient Greek, Roman Worlds.

 

The European Reformation was a time of immense ecclesiastical, social, intellectual and political transformation that changed the religious and cultural landscape of the West forever. By way of regular seminars, this course draws students into detailed exploration of critical events, developments, ideas and debates of this tumultuous period in history to consider the nature of the transformations which it bequeathed to subsequent centuries up to and including our own.

The four canonical gospels and the book of Acts are generally recognized to be our most reliable sources for historical information about Jesus and the movement that he began. Yet, they are clearly also works shaped by the beliefs of their writers or editors and the needs of the communities for which they were composed. Reading such works requires us to reflect upon the character and significance of their theology and on how this is to be related to the historical dimension of the literature, including to the figure of the historical Jesus. This course will engage in detail with the range of approaches that are taken to the historical and theological interpretation of the gospels and Acts and particularly with the ways by which beliefs about the nature of God and salvation are transformed by ‘the Christ event’.      

Across two millennia, Christian theology has been advanced by contributions of leading theologians who have reflected upon substantive claims of the Christian faith, developed accounts of their interconnections and meaning, and engaged with the intellectual challenges raised in their era. This course invites students to detailed engagement with the work of Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), one of the most significant and influential theologians from the history of the Christian tradition, by way of sustained study of primary texts in the context of lively seminar discussion and debate.

This course explores the nature of various forms of division and conflict in the contemporary world, and the contribution of theology to community enhancement, peacebuilding and transformation. Grounded in case studies of issues that divide societies, such as race, abortion, social media, and Brexit, the course analyses causes of division as well as (theological) models of protest, forgiveness and transformation, with the question whether reconciliation is possibly or even desirable.

This course will engage and evaluate emerging developments within cutting edge research on the Hebrew Bible and its larger ancient eastern Mediterranean context(s). The course will focus on matters language, text, and material culture as they inform study and understanding of the biblical text.

This course will explore the role of animals and monsters in the Ancient Near East, ancient Greek, Roman Worlds.

The European Reformation was a time of immense ecclesiastical, social, intellectual and political transformation that changed the religious and cultural landscape of the West forever. By way of regular seminars, this course draws students into detailed exploration of critical events, developments, ideas and debates of this tumultuous period in history to consider the nature of the transformations which it bequeathed to subsequent centuries up to and including our own.

 

The four canonical gospels and the book of Acts are generally recognized to be our most reliable sources for historical information about Jesus and the movement that he began. Yet, they are clearly also works shaped by the beliefs of their writers or editors and the needs of the communities for which they were composed. Reading such works requires us to reflect upon the character and significance of their theology and on how this is to be related to the historical dimension of the literature, including to the figure of the historical Jesus. This course will engage in detail with the range of approaches that are taken to the historical and theological interpretation of the gospels and Acts and particularly with the ways by which beliefs about the nature of God and salvation are transformed by ‘the Christ event’.      

Across two millennia, Christian theology has been advanced by contributions of leading theologians who have reflected upon substantive claims of the Christian faith, developed accounts of their interconnections and meaning, and engaged with the intellectual challenges raised in their era. This course invites students to detailed engagement with the work of Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), one of the most significant and influential theologians from the history of the Christian tradition, by way of sustained study of primary texts in the context of lively seminar discussion and debate.

This course explores the nature of various forms of division and conflict in the contemporary world, and the contribution of theology to community enhancement, peacebuilding and transformation. Grounded in case studies of issues that divide societies, such as race, abortion, social media, and Brexit, the course analyses causes of division as well as (theological) models of protest, forgiveness and transformation, with the question whether reconciliation is possibly or even desirable.

This course will engage and evaluate emerging developments within cutting edge research on the Hebrew Bible and its larger ancient eastern Mediterranean context(s). The course will focus on matters language, text, and material culture as they inform study and understanding of the biblical text.

This course gives an overview of some salient issues in Disability Theology. Topics that will be covered are, amongst others: What is disability?; What it means to be human?; Theological approaches to health and healing; Community; Stigma and taboo. The course also discusses various models of disability, such as the dominant medical model and the social model. The course engages with other current issues and developments as they might present itself during the course.

Case studies and practical experience drive the approach of this course. Students will familiarise themselves with an organisation, faith community or movement that focuses on disability. They will study the organisation’s views on disability and how it translates these views into practice. Students will learn to reflect critically, ethically, and constructively on the practices they encounter. Students will learn a specific theological model to help them to reflect on the practices they study.