DI1006 Jesus and the Gospels

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

20

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 7

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

12.00 noon Mon, Tue, Thu

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

Module coordinator

Dr T J Lang

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

Module Staff

Dr T J Lang

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

Module description

The purpose of this module is to build a fundamental understanding of the historical and theological significance of the life and teachings of Jesus, particularly as represented in the four ‘canonical gospels’ of the Christian ‘New Testament’. (Tradition comes to call these the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.) The module thus lays the foundations for modern academic study of the canonical Gospels and the historical Jesus. The module introduces pressing issues in modern Gospel research, pressing issues related to the historical Jesus, and pressing issues of historical and interpretive method. Students will thus explore, articulate, and confront hermeneutical issues involved in reading ancient texts in a modern world and, of course, explore, articulate, and confront a particular executed Jewish peasant who has affected this world in manifold ways.

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 lectures and 1 tutorial

Scheduled learning hours

42

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

Guided independent study hours

158

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

Intended learning outcomes

  • By the end of the module, students will be able to: 1. identify historical factors relevant to Jesus and the early Christian movement. 2. discuss the content and theological interests of the four canonical gospels. 3. interact with critical issues pertaining to the historical Jesus. 4. articulate ideas in written and spoken formats. 5. manage and analyse information through critical assessment.