Theology & Religious Studies BD/MA
Jewish Literature in the Graeco-Roman World TRS4109
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Critical Studies
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
The course offers the opportunity to study selected Jewish authors and texts in depth (e.g., Philo, Josephus, Dead Sea Scrolls), reading closely and considering a variety of perspectives. It also enables students to come to a deeper understanding of a wide range of issues in reading and interpreting Jewish texts within a wider Graeco-Roman context.
Timetable
1 x 2hr seminar per week over 10 weeks as scheduled in MyCampus
This is one of the Honours options in TRS and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.
Excluded Courses
None
Assessment
The standard assessments for this course are:
■ Essay 3000 words - 75%
■ Book review 1000 words - 25%
If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:
■ There is no alternative to the essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)
■ There is no alternative to the book review, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)
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:
■ engage in close reading of specific Jewish texts written in the Graeco-Roman period
■ engage in scholarship in an understudied area in biblical studies, but one that is important for understanding the New Testament
■ relate the Jewish texts to a variety of religious and historical contexts, especially interaction between Jewish and Greek/Roman cultures
■ apply a range of theoretical interpretative approaches to texts with a specific focus on historical and literary issues.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ discuss analytically the historical, cultural, and literary character of specific Jewish texts from the Graeco-Roman period
■ relate themes and motifs from the prescribed texts to ancient contexts
■ apply theoretical approaches to specific texts
■ present well-honed arguments in written and oral form.