DI5901 The Bible and Contemporary Issues

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

40

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 11

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

Online Learning

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

Module coordinator

Dr E Stoddart

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

Module Staff

To be confirmed along with other contributors for this Module.

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

Module description

Believing that the Bible can shape our thinking about issues of contemporary concern is one thing; working out how this is to be done is another. This module explores a variety of hermeneutical approaches that have been proposed to make intelligent connections between the Christian scriptures, events, trends and cultural assumptions. We explore how the Hebrew Bible and New Testament traditions can be interpreted in relation to matters of public interest. A historical perspective to Christians’ use of the Bible in this regard is complemented by considering recent radical hermeneutical methods.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Where a student fails the assessment for a taught module, one or more such components of coursework originally graded at less than 7 may be revised and resubmitted. The weighted-mean grade for reassessed components will be added to the weighted-mean grade for original (i.e first) submission-components. This new overall grade will be capped at 7.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Online lectures and seminars.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Evince understanding of, and critically assess, how a variety of authors relate biblical texts to issues of the contemporary world
  • Demonstrate an intelligent grasp of interdisciplinary approaches to mediating the Bible to the contemporary world
  • Understand, select and critically deploy interpretive skills in relating the Bible to an issue of contemporary significance
  • Evince skills of systematic interrogation and interpretation of texts and other resources
  • Formulate persuasive arguments which engage with key Christian theological concerns around hermeneutics and intersectionality.