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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Introduction to the Jewish & Christian Scriptures
Module Code TP102 (ITS) / RET1007 (Banner)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School Theology, Philosophy & Music
Module Co-ordinatorBradford Anderson
Module TeachersMiriam Jane De Cock
NFQ level 6 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the Jewish and Christian Scriptures. In this module students develop knowledge of background issues relating to the nature of these Scriptures, both as historical and sacred texts. Students will also develop skills that will enable them to examine the Jewish and Christian Scriptures as discrete collections, investigating literary, historical, and theological dimensions of these texts. Students are expected to attend and contribute to lectures and seminars, and to engage with the primary texts as they progress through the module

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures in their respective historical contexts
2. Outline various literary styles and genres of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures
3. Appreciate distinctive aspects of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, as well as within these collections of texts themselves
4. Demonstrate awareness of main characters, events, and themes in both the Jewish and Christian sacred texts
5. Identify ways in which these texts have been and continue to be used in wider culture and society



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24No Description
Independent Study61No Description
Assignment Completion40No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Structure and content of the Jewish and Christian Scriptures

Social and cultural world of the Jewish Scriptures and Christian New Testament

Primary history (Pentateuch and historical books): Israel’s foundational story

Prophets and Writings: poets and preachers in ancient Israel

Gospels: four portraits of Jesus

Paul: his life and letters

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
EssayEssay30%n/a
Digital Projectn/a50%n/a
Loop Quizn/a20%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Stanley, Christopher: 2010, The Hebrew Bible: A Comparative Approach, Fortress, Minneapolis,
  • Sara Parks: 2019, Gender in the Rhetoric of Jesus: Women in Q, Fortress,
  • Anderson, Bradford A. and Paula Gooder: 2017, An Introduction to the Study of the Pentateuch, Bloomsbury, London,
  • Parks, Parks, Shayna Sheinfeld, Meredith Warren: 2022, Jewish and Christian Women in the Ancient Mediterranean, Routledge,
  • Brown, Raymond: 1997, An Introduction to New Testament, Doubleday, NY,
  • Brettler, Marc Zvi.: 2007, How to Read the Jewish Bible., Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Boadt, L: 2012, Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction, 2nd ed, Paulist Press, New York,
  • Carr, David, and Colleen Conway: 201, An Introduction to the Bible: Sacred Texts and Imperial Contexts, Wiley-Blackwell, Malden,
  • Collins, John J: 2004, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Fortress, Minneapolis,
  • Chilton, Bruce, and Deirdre Good: 2009, Starting New Testament Study, SPCK, London,
  • Holladay, Carl R: 2005, A Critical Introduction to the New Testament: Interpreting the Message and Meaning of Jesus Christ., Abingdon, Nahsville,
  • Kaminsky, Joel S., Joel N. Lohr, and Mark Reasoner: 2014, The Abingdon Introduction to the Bible: Understanding Jewish and Christian Scriptures, Abingdon, Nashville,
  • Kaminsky, Joel S., and Joel N. Lohr: 2011, The Torah: A Beginner's Guide, Oneworld, Oxford,
  • Powell, Mark Allan: 2009, Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids,
Other Resources

None

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