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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title New Testament: The Gospels
Module Code RET1041 (ITS: TP303)
Faculty Theology, Philosophy & Music School Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Description

The purpose of this module is to enable students to reflect critically on key themes and issues related to the academic study of the New Testament, with a particular focus on the four canonical Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Students explore the background and formation of gospels as a genre, and the field of historical Jesus research in which the gospels play a starring role. Students will also practice analysing texts from a variety of perspectives.

Learning Outcomes

1. Situate the Gospels and the gospel genre in their Jewish and Roman historical contexts.
2. Reflect critically on historical issues related to the background and formation of the Gospels.
3. Describe the different themes, tendencies, and portrayals of Jesus in the four gospels.
4. Practice applying various hermeneutics or theoretical lenses of approach.
5. Become familiar with the history of developments in historical Jesus research.
6. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of Jesus’ life and thought based on a critical evaluation of the major sources (the gospels) in conjunction with other sources.
7. Heighten sensitivity towards modern uses of the 'Jesus-story' in the public domain, and practice interacting with them sympathetically and ethically.
8. Work towards becoming an independent researcher.
9. Improve both oral and written communication skills.


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Independent Study48Weekly readings
Lecture24Lectures and Workshops
Assignment Completion53CA preparation
Total Workload: 125
Section Breakdown
CRN11526Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorClaire CarrollModule TeacherMiriam Jane De Cock
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Assignmentn/a100%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

New Testament backgrounds: the gospels in context

Gospels: origins and historical issues

Key themes and issues in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Critical methods and approaches in New Testament study

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Powell, Mark Allan: 1998, Fortress Introduction to the Gospels, Fortress, Minneapolis,
  • Schüssler Fiorenza, Elisabeth: 1998, Sharing Her Word: Feminist Biblical Interpretation in Context, T&T Clark, Edinburgh,
  • Sugirtharahah, R.S.: 2012, Exploring Postcolonial Biblical Criticism: History, Method, Practice, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford,
  • Parks, Sara, Shayna Sheinfeld, and Meredith Warren: 2022, Jewish and Christian Women in the Ancient Mediterranean, Routledge,
  • Sugirtharahah, R.S.: 2012, Exploring Postcolonial Biblical Criticism: History, Method, Practice, Wiley-Blackwell,
  • Greenough, Chris: 2020, Queer Theologies: The Basic, Routledge,
  • Junior, Nyasha: 2015, An Introduction to Womanist Biblical Interpretation, Westminster John Knox,
  • Burkett, Delbert: 2002, An Introduction to the New Testament and the Origins of Christianity, CUP,
  • Ehrman, Bart: 2019, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, 7th, OUP,
  • Bond, Helen: 2012, The Historical Jesus: A Guide for the Perplexed, Bloomsbury,
  • Borg, Marcus: 2012, Evolution of the Word: The New Testament in the Order the Books Were Written, HarperOne,


Articles:
  • Reinhartz, Adele: 2009, Judaism in the Gospel ofJohn, Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, 59845
  • 2021: Disability and New Testament Studies: Refections, Trajectories, and Possibilities, Journal of Disability and Religion,
Other Resources

  • video: O'Loughlin, Tom and Sara Parks, 2018, What is a Gospel?, YouTube, University of Nottingham, https://youtu.be/zsJno1fjX1o
  • website: Denzey Lewis, Nicola, Does the Bible Relate to History "As It Actually Happened?", Bible Odyssey, SBL, https://www.bibleodyssey.org/en/tools/bible-basics/does-the-bible-relate-to-history-as-it-actually-happened
  • video: ReligionForBreakfast, 2014, How Did the New Testament Form?, YouTube, https://youtu.be/SCy7NuujCLc
  • video: UsefulCharts, 2021, Who Wrote the Bible? Episode 5: Gospels and Acts, YouTube, https://youtu.be/Z6PrrnhAKFQ

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