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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2021 - 2022

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

The purpose of this module is to enable students to reflect critically on key themes and issues related to the New Testament with a particular focus on the four Gospels. In this module students develop knowledge of key issues related to the background and formation of the Gospels, as well as distinctive elements and themes found within each of these texts. 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. Demonstrate an understanding of the New Testament in its historical context;
2. Reflect critically on historical issues related to the background and formation of the Gospels;
3. Identify and analyse critical issues and distinctive themes found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, including particular portrayals of Jesus of Nazareth;
4. Demonstrate practical knowledge of methods and approaches used in the academic study of the New Testament.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24Lectures
Independent Study48Weekly readings
Independent Study53Independent learning / CA preparation
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

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

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

  • Achtemeier, Paul J.,: 2001, Introducing the New Testament, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
  • Adams, Edward: 2011, Parallel Lives of Jesus: A Guide to the Four Gospels, Westminster/John Knox, Louisville,
  • Allison, Dale C.: 2005, Resurrecting Jesus: The Earliest Christian Tradition and Its Interpreters, T&T Clark, New York,
  • Aune, David E., ed: 2010, The Blackwell Companion to the New Testament, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford,
  • Barton. Stephen C.,: 2006, The Cambridge Companion to the Gospels. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
  • Boring, Eugene: 2012, An Introduction to the New Testament. History, Literature, Theology, John Knox Press,, Louisville: Westminster,
  • Brown, Raymond: 1997, An Introduction to the New Testament, Doubleday, New York,
  • Burkett, Delbert: 2002, An Introduction to the New Testament and the Origins of Christianity, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
  • Burridge, Richard A.: 2005, Four Gospels, One Jesus? A Symbolic Reading, SPCK, London,
  • Carter, Warren: 2013, Seven Events that Shaped the New Testament World, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
  • Chilton, Bruce, and Deirdre Good: 2009, Starting New Testament Study, SPCK, London,
  • Ehrman, Bart D: 2000, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Johnson, Luke Timothy: 2010, The New Testament: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • LeDonne, Anthony: 2011, Historical Jesus: What Can we Know and How Can we Know it?, Eerdmans,, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
  • Martin, Dale B.: 2012, New Testament History and Literature, Yale University Press, New Haven,
  • Perkins, Pheme: 201, Reading the New Testament, 3rd ed., Paulist Press, NJ, United States,
  • Powell, Mark Allan: 1998, Fortress Introduction to the Gospels, Fortress, Minneapolis,
  • Powell, Mark Allan: 2009, Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States,
  • Rogerson, J. W., and Judith M. Lieu. (eds.): 2006, The Oxford Handbook of Biblical Studies, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
  • Schneiders, Sandra M.: 1999, The Revelatory Text: Interpreting the New Testament as Sacred Scripture. 2nd ed., Liturgical Press, Collegeville,
  • Schüssler Fiorenza, Elisabeth: 1998, Sharing Her Word: Feminist Biblical Interpretation in Context, T&T Clark, Edinburgh,
  • Schüssler Fiorenza, Elisabeth: 1990, Bread Not Stone: The Challenge of Feminist Biblical Interpretation, T&T Clark, Edinburgh,
  • Sugirtharahah, R.S.: 2012, Exploring Postcolonial Biblical Criticism: History, Method, Practice, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford,
  • Watson, Francis: 2013, Gospel Writing: A Canonical Perspective, Eermdans, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
Other Resources

35018, Website, 0, Bibledex, University of Nottingham:, http://www.bibledex.com/,
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