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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2020 - 2021

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

This module will explore how the Bible has been interpreted over the past several millennia, both in religious and academic contexts. Students will explore the history of biblical interpretation beginning in the biblical period itself, moving on to explore early Jewish and Christian readings, medieval developments, Reformation approaches, and early modern interpretation. Special attention will then be given to the current state of biblical studies, and the methodological pluralism that defines the contemporary era. Here students will encounter historical, literary, and theological approaches, as well as committed reading strategies such as feminist criticism and post-colonial approaches. The module will also note how different traditions have engaged with Scripture as both sacred text and object of critical enquiry. Throughout the module specific biblical texts and their reception history will be used to demonstrate the various methods, theories, and approaches to reading the Bible.

Learning Outcomes

1. Display a critical awareness of the major trajectories in the history of biblical interpretation
2. Demonstrate an understanding of a broad range of approaches to the study of the Bible used in contemporary biblical studies;
3. Engage critically with the biblical text from a variety of vantage points used in contemporary biblical studies;
4. Demonstrate an appreciation of the similarities and differences in how Jews and Christians have read and engaged with the biblical text as Scripture and as object of scholarly enquiry.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24No Description
Class Presentation21No Description
Independent Study80No Description
Assignment Completion100No Description
Directed learning25No Description
Total Workload: 250

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

Inner-biblical interpretation and early translations

Church fathers and interpretation in the early church

Rabbinic interpretation

Medieval interpretation

a Reformation and early modern interpretation

Contemporary approaches to biblical interpretation: methodological pluralism

The world behind the text: historical approaches

The world of the text: literary approaches

The world in front of the text: committed approaches

Theological approaches: canonical, theological interpretation

The history of interpretation and the Bible as sacred Scripture

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

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