| Unit name | The Book of Isaiah (Trinity and Baptist College) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS30144 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Reverend Dr. Knut Heim |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit will explore responsible ways of reading the book called Isaiah as Christian scripture.
Students will discover the book of Isaiah as a resource for Christian ministry and an inspiration for life. The unit will suggest guidelines for an application of prophetic ministry to Christian belief and practice in response to the challenges the world faces in the twenty-first century.
This will be achieved by: Interpretations of the key passages in the book called Isaiah (selected from chapters 1-6, 7-12, 12-27, 28-39, 40-55 and 56-66) and explorations of the theological and practical aspects of prophetic imagination as portrayed in the book called Isaiah.
In detail, sessions will explore questions of authorship, historical background and theological significance of the various parts of the book. A major aspect will be the impact of theological concepts in Isaiah on subsequent Jewish and Christian thought.
The unit aims to 1. explain the book of Isaiah as a coherent text consisting of different parts with distinct characteristics 2. demonstrate the impact of theological concepts in Isaiah on subsequent Jewish and Christian thought 3. engage with the meaning and significance of the book as Jewish Scripture 4. explore the meaning and practical modern relevance of the book as Christian Scripture
Upon successful completion of the unit, students should be able to 1. critically reflect upon how the religious, cultural and political circumstances which shaped the various parts of the book called Isaiah interact with the fast-changing global circumstances that affect modern life. 2. arrive at a mature and self-critical understanding of Christian beliefs and practices from perspectives informed by a biblical prophetic vision. 3. research a topic within the study of the book called Isaiah in depth using appropriate interpretative approaches and applying the topic in private and public settings. 4. apply a biblically informed vision of prophetic ministry to various spheres of Christian belief and practice in the modern world, critically comparing prophetic imagination with postmodern perspectives and using a variety of resources to evaluate both.
The unit will consist of lectures and discussions of set topics covering key sections of the book of Isaiah, and focus on particular key passages and key themes each week. Key background reading will be provided in the form of a reader. Students will need to read set texts and will be asked to apply their reading to the interpretation of passages in Isaiah. There will be a particular focus on practical application of the book of Isaiah.
The unit will consist of 20 contact hours in total, equating to 2 hours per week for 10 weeks.
Formative assessment will be through preparation for classes and participation in group and class discussions and seminars.
Summative assessment will be through two essays of 3,000 words each (50% each) or a single essay of 6,000 words, at the discretion of the Unit Director.
