| CODE | HBW1003 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Reading the Bible | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Oriental Studies | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit offers an introduction to the Hebrew Bible, with a focus on reading and interpretative methodologies. Lectures will explore the biblical books from different perspectives, with a view to training students to read critically the various biblical texts and unpack their historical, literary, cultural, and theological significance. Study-unit Aims: - To introduce students to the Hebrew Bible; - To discuss methodologies that are implemented in academic readings and interpretations of biblical texts; - To highlight the historical, literary, cultural, and theological significance of the Hebrew Bible; - To train students to become critical readers and interpreters of ancient texts. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - recall basic knowledge and information about the various biblical texts; - evaluate and assess the significance and shortcomings of a wide range of reading methodologies that are typically applied in the academic study of the Hebrew Bible; - apply, within limits, these methodologies in their own reading of biblical texts; - read critically the Hebrew Bible, with a view to appraise and analyze its historical, literary, cultural, and theological significance. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - employ various interpretative approaches to the reading of ancient and modern texts; - demonstrate evidence of creative and critical thinking. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Core Textbooks: Collins, John J. 2014 Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. 2nd edn. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press. Coogan, Michael D. 2014 The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures. 3rd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Stanley, Christopher D. 2010 The Hebrew Bible: A Comparative Approach. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press. Selected Works on Biblical Criticism: Barton, John. 1996 Reading the Old Testament: Method in Biblical Study. 2nd edn. London: Darton, Longman, & Todd. Barton, John. 2007 The Nature of Biblical Criticism. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press. Collins, John J. 2006 The Bible after Babel: Historical Criticism in a Postmodern Age. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. Harrington, Daniel. 1991 Interpreting the Old Testament. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press. Porter, Stanley E. 2009 Dictionary of Biblical Criticism and Interpretation. London: Routledge. Companions/Handbooks on the Hebrew Bible and Biblical Studies: Chapman, Stephen B. and Sweeney, Marvin A., eds. 2016 The Cambridge Companion to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Rogerson, J. W. and Lieu, Judith M., eds. 2008 The Oxford Handbook of Biblical Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press. A detailed bibliography will be given in class. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Dennis Mizzi Abigail Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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