Unit Code & NameBN9398B Picturing and Proclaiming the New Testament
DescriptionBuilding on skills in historical-critical and narrative criticism, this unit will introduce recent developments in biblical exegesis and hermeneutics which apply visual and oral material from the ancient world to the interpretation of New Testament texts. The associated methods will be applied to particular texts providing opportunities to consider various aspects of the New Testament in its cultural milieu. Consideration will be given to the way in which an understanding of the social context and communal practices of the ancient world assists in examination of early Christian communities. The support and challenges that these methods present to mainstream methods of text-focused exegesis will be explored in light of their assumptions and limitations. Implications of this hermeneutic for proclamation of the Gospel in the contemporary world will also be considered.
*This unit is offered at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. Students may engage with people across both levels when this unit is delivered.
Assessments1 X 3,500 word presentation - 50%
1 X 3,500 word Critical/Exegetical Essay - 50%
Learning OutcomesUpon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:
1. Critically Assess the importance of cultural artefacts and performance traditions for understanding New Testament texts.
2. Demonstrate the importance of cultural artefacts and performance traditions through the writing of an extended hermeneutical/ exegetical essay using visual and oral approaches.
3. Appraise strengths and weaknesses of visual and oral methodological approaches for interpreting the New Testament.
4. Critically apply visual and oral methodological approaches to the exegesis of specific New Testament texts.
5. Formulate liturgical material from the hermeneutical results of visual and/or oral methodological approaches for use in contemporary ministry contexts.
6. Independently select and employ various methods appropriate to literary, rhetorical and socio-political features of a text.
