Welcome to the second term of the Jesus and the Gospels course. Here is a reminder of the Learning Outcomes and the means of assessment for this course:
Learning Outcomes:
Level 2 students: By the end of the module, students will have a thorough knowledge and understanding of major issues in Jesus research and Gospel interpretation and will be able apply this understanding to their own interpretation of and reflection on Jesus and the Gospels
Level 3 students: By the end of the module, students will be able to understand, demonstrate and apply in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of issues in Jesus research and Gospel interpretation
Assessment
Level 2 students will be assessed by means of 2 x 3000 word essays (one submitted in January; one submitted in April). The first will relate to Term 1's work primarily on the Gospel of John. The second will relate primarily to Term 2's work on Jesus.
Level 3 students will be assessed by means of one three hour examination in the summer, featuring questions representing all major elements in the course, encouraging and reflecting the students' ability to produce critical answers relating together both halves of the course, term 1 on the Gospel of John and term 2 on Jesus.
The rest of the material on this handout refers primarily to term 2 of the course, the focus of which is the Historical Jesus.
Aims for Term 2
To engage with and reflect on the quest of the historical Jesus by analysing ancient texts in the light of the key critical approaches.
Description:
The course will introduce the history of Jesus quest and will focus on current trends, learning about the materials and methods used for research into the life of Jesus, and using them to engage in the quest . Special attention will be paid to the work of the 'Jesus Seminar' and the work of E. P. Sanders, chosen as two important but contrasting means of doing Jesus research. Students will also be encouraged to analyse other contemporary approaches to research into Jesus' life including feminist hermeneutics and the depictions of Jesus in film, fiction and the sensationalist literature.
Course Work Level Two:
1. One 1000 word review of a book, article or web site taken from the course bibliography, due date Monday 25 February (compulsory)
2. One 1000 word analysis of a relevant ancient text (New Testament, Gospel of Thomas, Josephus, etc.), due date Monday 11 March (compulsory)
3. Draft of your assessed essay (optional).
Course Work Level Three:
1. Essay due in on - taken from the essay list, due date Monday 25 February (compulsory).
2. Essay due in on - taken from the essay list, due date Monday 11 March (compulsory).
3. Exam-length essay practice (optional). Choose a question from the essay list (one you have already done if you like) and write it under exam conditions - allow yourself one hour and access only to an English Bible.
Timetable:
The lectures for the course run from Monday 7 January until Monday 18 March 2002. There will be no lecture on Monday 11 February (Reading Week).
Office Hours
: You are welcome to come to discuss aspects of the course with me during my office hours. Or you can communicate with me and with others on the course at any time by using the course E-List.
Mailing List
: There is an E-mail list associated with the course. This is a private list - only members of the course will eligible to join. You are strongly encouraged to make use of this facility - you can use it to communicate with one another (on course-related issues!) and / or with me. I will use the list to alert you to useful on-line material, to provide you with help or to answer your questions. Joining the list is straightforward: just enter your name in the box and press the button:
Web Site
: This half of the Jesus and the Gospels course has its own web site here -- make sure you visit regularly!
