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  6. DR4583: RECOVERING THE HISTORICAL JESUS

DR4583: RECOVERING THE HISTORICAL JESUS (2014-2015)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

Jesus of Nazareth is arguably the most consequential figure in Western history. But what can we know about him historically, and how can we know it? This course tries to integrate three relevant areas: (a) The culture and society of first-century Galilee, where Jesus lived and taught. (b) The history of scholarship on Jesus, since the European Enlightenment, and its varied approaches to the literary and historical evidence for his life.  (c) Central questions that need addressing in a 'life of Jesus’, and the ancient evidence for them.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Session Second Sub Session Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Steve Mason

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

None.

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Jesus of Nazareth has been the most consequential figure in Western history. But what can we know about him, and how can we know it? This course covers three areas, which may be ordered and integrated differently from year to year:
  • Culture and society in the first-century Galilee, where Jesus lived and taught. This field has been dramatically opened up in recent decades by archaeological excavation.
  • The history of modern scholarship on Jesus, since the European Enlightenment, and its various approaches to the literary evidence.
  • The central questions that need addressing in a 'life of Jesus, for example: his birth and early influences, relation to John the Baptist, modes and content of teaching, important actions, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Contact Teaching Time

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

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (40%); continuous assessment (60%), comprising: 1 in-class presentation: review of a scholarly study relevant to the student's research essay (20%). NB: summative assessment will be based solely on the written basis of this presentation, not on the art of the presentation. 1 essay of ca. 3000-3500 words(40%)

The exam may be taken only if each and every item of coursework is submitted and assessed at CAS 6 or above.
Resit: usually no resit provision at level 4.

Formative Assessment

The in-class presentation (Summative Assessment) will be assessed without marking as a contribution to formative assessment.

Feedback

Feedback on the presentation and essay will be detailed and prompt.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

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