Course Catalogue

Wisdom Literature Non Honours TRS3030

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Critical Studies
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 3 (SCQF level 9)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course will introduce students to the Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Bible: principally Proverbs, Job and Qohelet (Ecclesiastes) but with some attention to non-canonical and supplementary texts such as Sirach, Song of Songs, and biblical folktales.

Timetable

1x2hr seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

 

This is one of the Level 3 options in TRS and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Requirements of Entry

Grade D3 or above in any TRS level 2 course or at the discretion of the Head of Theology and Religious Studies.

Excluded Courses

TRS3015 Wisdom Literature In The Old Testament

TRS4038 Wisdom Literature In The Old Testament Honours

TRS4074 Wisdom Literature

TRS4075 Wisdom Literature with Hebrew

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (2,000 words) - 50%

■ Essay (1,500 words) - 40%

■ Presentation of 5 minutes - 10%

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the essays, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ Recorded presentation or one-to-one presentation with staff as alternative to presentation.

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ explore the definition of wisdom as a literary genre;

■ discuss its significance for the interpretation of canonical and related traditions and texts identified as Wisdom Literature;

■ engage in close reading of selected biblical and extra-biblical wisdom texts;

■ become familiar with a range of theoretical interpretive approaches to texts.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ evaluate the usefulness of the term "wisdom" as a genre description, and to identify its representative texts in the Hebrew Bible;

■ offer a general analysis of a range of approaches to key texts in the biblical wisdom tradition;

■ present a clearly argued analysis of the role of folk tale and related traditions in the formation of biblical literature;

■ analyse the theoretical and interpretive problems involved in interpreting ancient texts of uncertain provenance;

■ present complex arguments in written and oral form.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions