Postgraduate Course: The New Testament in the Graeco-Roman World (PG) (Online) (DIVI11033)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course situates the New Testament in its Graeco-Roman historical, political, literary, and cultural contexts and seeks to identify instances of influence and interaction. In any given year, there may be a particular set theme, e.g., ethnicity, sacrifice, etc. Each week will focus on a set primary text (biblical, classical, or both) accompanied by one or more secondary readings. The course format is a mixture of recorded lecture and seminar-style discussion on set primary and secondary readings, which will have been read in advance of the class. The course is delivered entirely online. |
| Course description |
Academic Description:
The collection of documents referred to since the third century CE as the 'New Testament' largely emerged in the Greek speaking east of the Roman Empire. Together they form a fascinating insight into a new religious movement as it came to terms with its first-century environment. This course situates the New Testament in its Graeco-Roman historical, political, literary, and cultural contexts and seeks to identify instances of influence and interaction. In any given year, there may be a particular set theme.
Syllabus/Outline Content:
In any given term the syllabus may be organized around a set theme in the Graeco-Roman context of the New Testament, e.g., ethnicity, sacrifice, identity, etc. Each week will focus on set primary texts (both from the New Testament and the wider classical world) accompanied by one or more secondary readings.
Student Learning Experience Information:
The course format is a mixture of recorded lecture and seminar-style discussion on set primary and secondary readings, which will have been read in advance of the class. The course is entirely taught online.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should usually have at least 3 courses in Classics, History or Archaeology at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this) for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses.
** As numbers are limited, visiting students should contact the Visiting Student Office directly for admission to this course ** |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2023/24, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Online Activities 22,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
173 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% - Coursework |
| Feedback |
Students are expected to discuss their coursework with the Course Organiser at least once prior to submission, and are encouraged to do so more often. Meetings can take place with the Course Organiser by appointment. Students will also receive feedback on their coursework, and will have the opportunity to discuss that feedback further with the Course Organiser. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critically approach the New Testament texts through interaction with other ancient primary sources.
- Interact with and apply the breadth of secondary literature in the discipline of biblical studies and classics.
- Render critical judgements on modern scholarship.
- Provide a sophisticated account (in written form) of select pertinent issues in New Testament studies and classics.
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Reading List
Indicative Bibliography :
Laura Dingeldein, 'Gaining Virtue, Gaining Christ'.
Troels Engberg-Pedersen, Paul and the Stoics.
Jennifer Eyl, Signs, Wonders, and Gifts.
David Frankfurter, Guide to the Study of Ancient Magic.
Paula Fredriksen, Paul: The Pagans' Apostle.
Jae Hee Han, 'Reorienting Ancient Judaism'.
Hans-Josef Klauck, The Religious Context of Early Christianity: A Guide to Greco-Roman Religions.
Luke Timothy Johnson, Among the Gentiles: Greco-Roman Religion and Christianity.
Judith Lieu, Christian Identity in the Jewish and Greco-Roman World.
Wayne Meeks, The First Urban Christians.
Laura Nasrallah, Christian Responses to Roman Art and Architecture.
Dan-el Padilla Peralta, Divine Institutions.
Shaley Patel, 'Magical Practices and Discourses of Magic in Early Christian Traditions'.
Annette Yoshiko Reed, Demons, Angels, and Writing in Ancient Judaism.
Jonathan Z. Smith, Drudgery Divine.
Stanley Stowers, A Rereading of Romans. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
- Ability to gather, evaluate and synthesise different types of information
- Analytical ability and the capacity to formulate questions and solve problems
- Writing skills, including clear expression and citing relevant evidence
- Ability to engage critically with the meaning of documents and recognise that meanings may be multiple |
| Keywords | New Testament,early Christianity,Greek,Roman,classics |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Matthew Novenson
Tel: (0131 6)50 8942
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Rachel Dutton
Tel: (0131 6)50 7227
Email: |
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