ATS2185 · Who wrote the Bible and why?

Overview

The unit begins with a survey of the Hebrew Scriptures as viewed in their ancient Near Eastern historical and cultural setting, and proceeds to examine the Greek Scriptures or New Testament, which are situated in their Jewish, Greek and apocalyptic contexts. Particular attention will be devoted to the Bible as an expression of the religious life and thought of ancient Israel. Topics examined include an exploration of the core beliefs of the Bible regarding creation, revelation and redemption, and the problem of evil and suffering, as well as conceptions of divinity, prophecy, law and cult. The art of biblical narrative and poetry will also be explored, as will issues of authorship and canonisation.

Areas of study: Religious studies Jewish studies

Offerings

The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Explain the foundational beliefs of the Bible;
2. Discuss the Hebrew Scriptures in their ancient Near Eastern context, and the Christian Scriptures in their Jewish, Greek and intertestamental contexts;
3. Discuss the diversity and different genres of Biblical literature; .
4. Read, interpret and analyse select Biblical texts, with reference to contemporary approaches to reading the Bible (e.g., literary, feminist etc.);
5. Describe the key institutions of Ancient Israelite religious life;
6. Explain key debates in modern scholarship concerning the compositional history of the Bible.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.