This unit explores the Pentateuch or the Torah as foundational to the biblical narrative and theological identity of Israel. It is a compilation of texts derived from a range of sources from different historical periods, and reflecting varied ideologies, agendas and understandings of the divine. Students examine its contents, its complex evolution and formation, the diverse historical contexts, multiple literary forms, theological themes, with attention to its enduring significance in both Jewish and Christian traditions. The unit is centred around key questions: who is this God? Who are the people? And, what does it mean to be becoming?
Unit code: BA2001Z
Unit status: Approved (Major revision)
Points: 18.0
Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2
Unit discipline: Old Testament
Delivery Mode: Blended
Proposing College: St Francis College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Analyse the literary structure and theological themes of the Pentateuch. |
| 2. | Interpret selected texts using historical and literary methods. |
| 3. | Apply contextual and theological insights to contemporary issues in biblical interpretation. |
This unit requires two undergraduate foundation units in Biblical Studies.
This unit will incorporate a flipped learning approach prior to on-campus workshops that will combine direct instruction and collaborative learning approaches.
· Fischer, Irmtraud, Mercedes Navarro Puerto, Andrea Taschl-Erber, and Jorunn Økland, eds. Torah. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2011.
· Dozeman, Thomas. The Pentateuch: Introducing the Torah. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2017.
· Anderson, Bradford A., and Paula Gooder. An Introduction to the Study of the Pentateuch. Second edition. London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2020. https://doi.org/10.5040/9780567673428.
· Baker, Leslie Scott, Kenneth Bergland, Felipe A. Masotti, and A. Rahel Wells, eds. Exploring the Composition of the Pentateuch. University Park, Pennsylvania: Eisenbrauns, 2020.
· Habel, Norman C., and Anne Pattel-Gray. The Colonial God YHWH: Progressive Revelation of the Character of YHWH in the Book of Exodus. Adelaide: ATF Theology, 2023.
· Schniedewind, William M., Jason Zurawski, and Gabriele Boccaccini, eds. Torah: Functions, Meanings, and Diverse Manifestations in Early Judaism and Christianity. Atlanta, GA: SBL Press, 2021.
· Warner, Megan. Genesis: An Introduction and Study Guide: A Past for a People in Need of a Future. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2024.
· Bakhos, Carol. The family of Abraham: Jewish, Christian and Muslim interpretations. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2014.
· Held, Shai, The Heart of Torah, Essays on the Weekly Torah Portion: Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Vol. 2. Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 2017.
· West, Mona and Robert E. Shore-Goss, eds. Queer Bible Commentary. 2nd ed. SCM, 2006.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exegesis | 1500 | 35.0 | |
| Oral Presentation | 1000 | 20.0 | |
| Essay | Hermeneutical Essay |
2000 | 45.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 27 Oct, 2025
Unit record last updated: 2025-10-27 10:01:36 +1100