| Module Title |
The Gospels: Critical Themes & Issues |
| Module Code |
RET1051 (ITS: TP403) |
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Faculty |
Theology, Philosophy & Music |
School |
Humanities & Social Sciences |
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NFQ level |
8 |
Credit Rating |
5 |
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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.
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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.
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| Workload | Full time hours per semester | | Type | Hours | Description |
|---|
| Independent Study | 48 | Weekly readings | | Lecture | 24 | Lectures and Workshops | | Assignment Completion | 53 | CA Preparation |
| Total Workload: 125 |
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| Section Breakdown | | CRN | 11533 | Part of Term | Semester 1 | | Coursework | 0% | Examination Weight | 0% | | Grade Scale | 40PASS | Pass Both Elements | Y | | Resit Category | RC1 | Best Mark | N | | Module Co-ordinator | Claire Carroll | Module Teacher | Miriam Jane De Cock |
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| Assessment Breakdown |
| Type | Description | % of total | Assessment Date |
|---|
| Assignment | n/a | 100% | 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
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Pre-requisite |
None
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Co-requisite |
None |
| Compatibles |
None |
| Incompatibles |
None |
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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
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
What is a gospel?
History and Hermeneutics
The Gospels in Literary Context: The New Testament
The Gospels in Historical Context: early Roman Judaism
Primary Texts: Mark, Matthew, John, Luke/Acts, Q
Resurrection
Reception: gospels that didn't make the cut
The Prologue as an 'overture' to the gospel as a whole
The encounters between Jesus and other characters in the gospel narrative
The principal themes of the last supper discourse
The portrayal of Jesus in the passion narrrative
The transforming presence of the risen one in the resurrection narratives
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Indicative Reading List
Books:
- Powell, Mark Allan: 2019, Fortress Introduction to the Gospels, 2nd, Fortress,
- Parks, Sara, Shayna Sheinfeld, and Meredith Warren: 2022, Jewish and Christian Women in the Ancient Mediterranean, Routledge,
- Schussler Fiorenza, Elisabeth: 1990, Bread Not Stone: The Challenge of Feminist Biblical Interpretation, T&T Clark,
- Sugirtharahah, R.S.: 2012, Exploring Postcolonial Biblical Criticism: History, Method, Practice, Wiley-Blackwell,
- Greenough, Chris: 2020, Queer Theologies: The Basics, 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:
- Soon, Isaac: 2021, Disability and New Testament Studies: Refections, Trajectories, and Possibilities, Journal of Disability and Religion, 59843
- 2009: Judaism in the Gospel ofJohn, Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology,
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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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