Content

This unit examines biblical literary criticism, with particular regard to the narrative texts of the Hebrew Bible. It explores the nature of literary conventions and devices employed by the biblical authors, such as type-scenes, repetition, characterization and the use of dialogue. The unit considers how literary art enhances the message of the texts, using literary analysis of specific narratives from, among others, the Abraham and Joseph narratives, Judges, Ruth, the stories of Saul’s rise and fall, and the story of David’s rise.

Unit code: BA3007S

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Stirling College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate a familiarity with a range of literary critical tools

2.

Effectively use literary critical tools in examination of specific texts

3.

Identify, articulate and explain a variety of scholarly approaches to literary criticism of the Hebrew Bible

4.

Critically evaluate the use of biblical narrative in popular culture

5.

Research literary critical approaches to a specific narrative text

Unit sequence

BA1001S Introducing the Hebrew Bible or equivalent

Pedagogy

lecture/discussion/group work

Indicative Bibliography

  • Alter, R. The Art of Biblical Narrative. New York, Basic Books, 1981.
  • Amit, Y. Reading Biblical Narratives: literary criticism and the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis, Fortress, 2001.
  • Andersson, G. Untamable texts: literary studies and narrative theory in the books of Samuel. New York, Continuum, 2009.
  • Berlin, A. Poetics & Interpretation of Biblical Narrative. Sheffield, Almond, 1983.
  • Brenner, A, & Polak, F (eds). Words, Ideas, Worlds: biblical essays in honour of Yairah Amit. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2012.
  • Exum, J. Plotted, shot and painted: cultural representations of biblical women. Sheffield, Sheffield Academic, 1996.
  • Exum, J. & D. J. A. Clines (eds), The New Literary Criticism & the Hebrew Bible. Valley Forge, Trinity Press International, 1993.
  • Sternberg, M. The Poetics of Biblical Narrative. Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 1987.
  • Trible, P. Texts of Terror. Philadelphia, Fortress, 1984.
  • Walsh, J. Old Testament Narrative: a Guide to Interpretation. Louisville, Westminster John Knox, 2009.
  • Zeelander, S. Closure in biblical narrative. Leiden, Brill, 2012.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

2,500 word essay

0 50.0
Critical Review

1,000 word critical reflection on set reading

0 20.0
Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper

1,500 word tutorial paper

0 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2016

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-04 13:38:39 +1100