Module: Hebrew Scriptures: The Pentateuch

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Hebrew Scriptures: The Pentateuch
Module Code	RET1010 (ITS: TP111)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

The purpose of this module is to help students reflect critically on key themes and issues related to the first five books of the Jewish Scriptures, the Pentateuch or Torah. In this module students develop knowledge of key issues related to the background and formation of the Torah, explore key themes and figures found within these books (Genesis-Deuteronomy), and analyse the reception, use and impact of these writings. In the course of this module students will also develop skills that will enable them to engage with these texts from a variety of perspectives and methodologies used in the academic study of the Bible. Students are expected to attend and contribute to lectures, and to engage with the primary texts in a reflective and analytical manner as they progress through the module.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe how the Torah is used and understood in different religious traditions, notably Judaism and Christianity;
2. Communicate a critical understanding of historical issues related to the background and formation of the Pentateuch/Torah;
3. Demonstrate critical awareness of key themes and figures in the books of Genesis-Deuteronomy;
4. Identify and analyse how these texts have been used and taken up in commentary, culture and society;
5. Reflect critically on methods and approaches used in the academic study of the Hebrew Scriptures.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Online activity	24	No Description
Directed learning	50	No Description
Assignment Completion	50	No Description
Independent Study	39.5	No Description
Total Workload: 187.5

Section Breakdown
CRN	11508	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale		Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category		Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Bradford Anderson	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	n/a	70%	n/a
Completion of online activity	n/a	10%	n/a
Reflective journal	n/a	20%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Introductory Issues
Introduction to the Pentateuch

Academic approaches to studying the Pentateuch: origins of the Torah

Scripturalisation: the development of the Torah

Genesis - Deuteronomy
Genesis 1-2: the creation stories – themes and issues

Genesis 3-11: ANE parallels

The Ancestors – Genesis 12-50

Moses and the Exodus: Exodus 1-15

Israel’s Law

Holiness, purity, and ritual: reading Leviticus

Wilderness Wanderings

Endings and Beginnings: Deuteronomy and Covenant

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Anderson, Bradford A., and Paula Gooder: 2017, . An Introduction to the Study of the Pentateuch., Bloomsbury, London,
Alter, Robert.: 1981, The Art of Biblical Narrative, Basic Books, New York,
Blenkinsopp, Joseph: 1992, The Pentateuch: An Introduction to the First Five Books of the Bible, Doubleday, New York,
Brettler, Marc Zvi.: 2007, How to Read the Jewish Bible., Oxford: Oxford University Press.,
Collins, John J.: 2004, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Minneapolis: Fortress,
Fretheim, Terence E.: 1996, The Pentateuch, _Abingdon,
Hayes, Christine.: 2012, Introduction to the Bible, New Haven: Yale,
Kaminsky, Joel S., and Joel N. Lohr.: 2011, The Torah: A Beginner's Guide., _Oneworld,
Stanley, Christopher: 2010, The Hebrew Bible: A Comparative Approach, Fortress, Minneapolis,
Trible, Phylis.: 1984, Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives, Fortress, Minneapolis,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None