Unit name | Interpreting the Psalms |
---|---|
Unit code | THRSM0070 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
Unit director | Dr. Gordon Wenham |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
none |
Co-requisites |
none |
School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
The unit begins with a brief history of Psalm study, and then outlines the dominant approaches to interpretation in the last 100 years. Most attention will be given to the poetic devices in the Psalms, canonical criticism and reader-response approaches to elucidating the message of the texts. Selected psalms will be studied to clarify the leading theological and ethical concerns of the Psalter.
On completion of the unit students should:
The unit will consist of lectures and seminars.
Formative assessment will be through leading one seminar, as evidenced by the written transcript of material prepared and used for the seminar (1,000 words).
Summative assessment will be through one essay of 3,500 words (50%) and a 2-hour written examination (50%).