Unit information: Judaism and Christianity in 2012/13

Unit name	Judaism and Christianity
Unit code	THRS11049
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Campbell
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit introduces students to Judaism and Christianity, outlining major developments that have taken place over the centuries. Regarding Judaism, key historical periods (e.g. Second Temple period), religious ideas (e.g. notion of Torah), and literary developments (e.g. publication of Talmud) are covered. Particular texts (e.g. Dead Sea Scrolls), historical developments (e.g. rise of Biblical Studies in universities), and ideas (e.g. Zionism) are considered in more detail to introduce students to critical issues and scholarly debates as a foundation for work at levels 2 and 3. In regards to Christianity, theology and history from the first century through the Reformation are discussed. Topics include the developments of theology from the early Church; the Age of Constantine; medieval religion; the Reformation and Catholic (Counter) Reformation. In the case of major topics that can be studied in more depth at levels 2 and 3, students are introduced to ongoing scholarly debates and reinterpretations.

Aims:

• To provide a basic understanding of Jewish history and religion;

• To provide a basic understanding of Judaisms key literary texts;

• To provide a basic understanding of the meaning of Christian Thought;

• To provide a basic understanding of the role of Christianity in History;

• To develop written presentation skills by completing a written examination paper.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students will be expected to have:

• acquired knowledge and skill to discuss aspects of Jewish history and religion critically;

• acquired knowledge and skill to engage critically with some Jewish texts;

• acquired knowledge and skill to discuss the meaning of key aspects of Christian thought;

• acquired knowledge and skill to discuss the basic points of Christian History;

• acquired skills through completing a written examination paper

Teaching Information

20 one-hour lectures (2 x one-hour per week)

Assessment Information

1 x 3-hour examination (100%).

Reading and References

• S. Breslauer, Understanding Judaism Through History (Belmont CA, 2003)

• O. Leaman, Jewish Thought (London: 2006);

• J. Neusner, Torah through the Ages (London, 1991);

• J. H. Lynch, The Medieval Church: A Brief History (London 1992)

• R. P. Hsia, The World of Catholic Renewal, 1540-1770 2nd ed. (Cambridge, 2005)

• S. Ozment, The Age of Reform, 1250-1550: An Intellectual and Religious History of Late Medieval and Reformation Europe (New Haven; London, 1980).