DI3719 The Bible Through the Ages: History, Theology, and Hermeneutics

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Lecture: 11-1pm Monday Seminar: 10-11am Thursday or 11-12pm Thursday

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr M T Sharp

Dr M T Sharp
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr M Sharp

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will take students through the history of the Bible and its interpretation from the formation of the canon to postmodernism. In each time-period we will ask: what was the Bible for the people of the time? How did people encounter the Bible? And, finally, how did they interpret the Bible? This module will introduce students to a wide range of interpretative methods and approaches, as well as to the historical and theological contexts in which they arose. It will also encourage critical reflection on the different ways the Bible is read today, and the numerous ways Bible and Theology interact with one another.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS DI2014 OR PASS DI2013 OR PASS DI2003 OR PASS DI2015

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

100% Written Examination

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 seminars of 90 minutes (x10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

270

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • understand the contours of the history of the Bible from canon formation to postmodernism
  • relate debates regarding typologies of reading and biblical interpretation in each of the historical periods covered
  • analyse the changing notions of authority, interpretation and meaning of the Bible through out the historical periods covered
  • trace the changing interpretation of two texts (one Hebrew Bible, one New Testament) from the 4th to the 21st century
  • draw on lectures, books, chapter, and journal articles on the history of the bible and history of biblical interpretation to acquire information for analysis and critique