DR552M: THE HISTORICAL FIGURE OF JESUS OF NAZARETH (2014-2015)

Jesus of Nazareth is the most consequential figure in Western history. But his impact has come almost entirely from theological postulates concerning his incarnation, saving death, resurrection, and expected return. What can we know about Jesus of Nazareth’s human life, and how can we know it? This course integrates three areas of study, which may be proportioned and arranged differently from year to year: (a) Culture and society in first-century Galilee, where Jesus lived most of his life. What was the political, social, and economic situation there? This field has been dramatically opened up in recent decades by extensive archaeological work. (b) The history of modern scholarship on Jesus since the European Enlightenment, and its varying approaches in keeping with shifting intellectual trends in modern society. (c) Fairly intensive, historical analysis of early Christian texts, especially the gospels, and a few important paragraphs in Flavius Josephus’ works, for possible information about Jesus’ relation to John the Baptist, the modes and content of his teaching, his distinctive and important actions (cures, wonders), and whatever historical analysis can reveal about his arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection.

This course will run in the first half session for 2014/15.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

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More Information about Week Numbers

One two-hour written examination (40%); continuous assessment (60%). Continuous assessment comprises: Two book reviews (10% each = total 20%), one of which is presented in class; and one essay of ca. 5000 words (40%).

There are no assessments for this course.

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