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DR103U: HISTORY AND RELIGION(S) OF ANCIENT ISRAEL (2024-2025)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:10


Course Overview

This course discusses the issues involved in reconstructing the history and religions of ancient Israel and Judah. It provides an overview of the history and religions of Ancient Israel and Judah, as portrayed in the Hebrew Bible, as illustrated by archaeological findings, and as understood within their larger Ancient Near Eastern context. It further teaches the students how to evaluate critically these portrayals and, as a result, how to reach independent and informed interpretations of the Biblical text

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 1
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr. Jakub Zbrzezny

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

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Distance Learning

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course discusses the issues involved in reconstructing the history and religions of ancient Israel and Judah.  

The basic aim of this course is to provide an overview of the history and religions of Ancient Israel and Judah, as portrayed in the Hebrew Bible, as illustrated by archaeological findings, and as understood within their larger Ancient Near Eastern context. This course further seeks to teach the students how to critically evaluate these portrayals and, as a result, how to reach independent and informed interpretations of the Biblical text


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

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

The student writes a research essay on a selected topic. Level 1 and Level 2 are differentiated by the number of required bibliographical positions, which are specified in the Course Guide.

The word count excludes bibliography.

Feedback: Written or recorded oral comments from the lecturer.

Assessment to be submitted in week 8 of teaching; feedback in week 9

Word Count 2000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralEvaluateInterpret the religious texts of ancient Israel and Judah and its social and cultic phenomena in their historical cultic and cultural contexts
ProceduralEvaluateRead biblical and extra biblical Hebrew texts in an informed and critical manner
ReflectionCreateGain an awareness and appreciation of social and cultural diversity

Class Test

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 35
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

1-hour online class test.

The student takes an electronic multimedial exam with close-ended and open-ended questions.

Feedback: correct answers to close-ended questions and written comments on open-ended questions.

Assessment week: week 13 of teaching

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralEvaluateInterpret the religious texts of ancient Israel and Judah and its social and cultic phenomena in their historical cultic and cultural contexts
ProceduralEvaluateRead biblical and extra biblical Hebrew texts in an informed and critical manner
ReflectionCreateGain an awareness and appreciation of social and cultural diversity
ReflectionCreateGain an openness to, and an interest in, life-long learning through directed and self-directed study

Critical review of a Wikipedia article

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

A 250-word critical review and editing of a Wikipedia article related to biblical studies.

The student critically reviews a Wikipedia article related to biblical studies and suggests how the article should be edited.

Feedback: Lecturer’s oral comments and lecturer-guided peer-review during the tutorial. 

Assessment to be submitted in week 9 of teaching; feedback in week 10.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralEvaluateRead biblical and extra biblical Hebrew texts in an informed and critical manner
ReflectionCreateGain an awareness and appreciation of social and cultural diversity

Video recording: a mock interview with an expert

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

The student prepares a 5-minute video recording of a mock interview, in which he/she acts as an expert being interviewed by a fellow student acting as a journalist about a selected piece of sensational news related to biblical archaeology.

Feedback: Lecturer’s oral comments and lecturer-guided peer-review during a tutorial.

Assessment to be submitted in week 11 of teaching; feedback in week 11.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralEvaluateRead biblical and extra biblical Hebrew texts in an informed and critical manner
ReflectionCreateGain an awareness and appreciation of social and cultural diversity

Formative Assessment

Tutorial/Seminar Participation

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Tutorials act as workshops related to lectures. Students work in pairs or in groups and present their work to fellow students.  

Feedback: Lecturer’s oral comments and in-class discussion.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralEvaluateRead biblical and extra biblical Hebrew texts in an informed and critical manner
ProceduralEvaluateInterpret the religious texts of ancient Israel and Judah and its social and cultic phenomena in their historical cultic and cultural contexts
ReflectionCreateGain an awareness and appreciation of social and cultural diversity
ReflectionCreateGain an openness to, and an interest in, life-long learning through directed and self-directed study

Resit Assessments

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback Word Count 2000
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralEvaluateInterpret the religious texts of ancient Israel and Judah and its social and cultic phenomena in their historical cultic and cultural contexts
ProceduralEvaluateRead biblical and extra biblical Hebrew texts in an informed and critical manner
ProceduralEvaluateReflect independently and critically on the problems related to historical reconstructions of the history of ancient Israel and Judah
ReflectionCreateGain an awareness and appreciation of social and cultural diversity
ReflectionCreateGain an openness to, and an interest in, life-long learning through directed and self-directed study

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