Unit information: The Bible in the Contemporary World: Hermeneutics in 2011/12

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Unit name The Bible in the Contemporary World: Hermeneutics
Unit code THRSM0059
Credit points 40
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Reverend Dr. Lucas
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will begin by orienting students to the main interests that have influenced interpreters, particularly over the last hundred years. Some of the main approaches to the interpretation of the Bible will then be introduced and critically examined. This will usually be grounded by discussion of a particular text.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the unit students should be able to:

  • analyse and evaluate a range of interpretations of a biblical text.
  • engage critically with some influential schools of interpretation.
  • engage sympathetically yet critically with competing interpretations of a biblical text, whether they derive from pre-critical, critical or postmodern perspectives.
  • read the Bible in its own terms with confidence, enhanced understanding and enriched sensitivity

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through preparatory reading, lectures and seminars.

Assessment Information

Please state the methods used for formative and summative assessment, including essay word length, length and type of exams, projects, etc. The relative contributions of the different summative assessments to the overall unit mark should also be included, e.g. 3-hour written exam (60%), 2000 word essay (40%)

Reading and References

  • Barton, J., Reading the Old Testament: Method in Biblical Study. London: DLT, 2nd ed. 1996.
  • Goldingay, J., Models for the Interpretation of Scripture, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1994.
  • Tate, W.R., Biblical Interpretation: An Integrated Approach. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2nd ed. 1997.
  • Thistleton, A.C., New Horizons in Hermeneutics, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992.
  • Vanhoozer, K., Is There a Meaning in This Text? The Bible, the Reader and the Morality of Literary Knowledge, Leicester: Apollos, 1998.
  • Wright, N.T., The New Testament and the People of God. London: SPCK, 1992.

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