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DR251R: EXPLORING THE NEW TESTAMENT (2025-2026)

Last modified: 24 Jul 2025 14:46


Course Overview

The New Testament is a small library of 27 texts, which have had a unique impact on Western civilization. This course explores the authors, situations, audiences, and themes of the texts of the New Testament; the diverse voices and genres across the New Testament; the relation of early Christian literature to its Jewish and Graeco-Roman contexts; and an overview of some major critical debates and approaches relevant to New Testament Studies. This course is recommended preparation for the following Level 3/4 courses: The Practice of Biblical Interpretation; God & Salvation in the Gospels and Acts; and God & Salvation in the Letters of Paul.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 2
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr J Thomas Hewitt

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of Certificate In Theology or () or Diploma In Theology
  • Programme Level 2

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The New Testament is a small library of 27 texts, which have had a unique impact on Western civilization. This course explores the authors, situations, audiences, and themes of the texts of the New Testament; the diverse voices and genres across the New Testament; the relation of early Christian literature to its Jewish and Graeco-Roman contexts; and an overview of some major critical debates and approaches relevant to New Testament Studies. This course is recommended preparation for the following Level 3/4 courses: The Practice of Biblical Interpretation; God & Salvation in the Gospels and Acts; and God & Salvation in the Letters of Paul.


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2025 for 1st Term courses and 19 December 2025 for 2nd Term courses.

Summative Assessments

Evaluative Review of an Academic Argument

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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500-word Evaluative Review of an Academic Argument, worth 40% of overall grade.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseA knowledge of the differences between the New Testament writings and an associated ability to interpret and explain passages from different NT texts on the basis of key themes and concepts.
ConceptualUnderstandA knowledge of the most significant current debates in New Testament scholarship and the basic methodological issues that influence these.
FactualUnderstandA broad awareness of the content of the New Testament writings and the contexts in which they emerged.

Analysis of a New Testament Text

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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1,500-word Analysis of a New Testament text, worth 60% of the overall grade.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualAnalyseA knowledge of the differences between the New Testament writings and an associated ability to interpret and explain passages from different NT texts on the basis of key themes and concepts.
FactualUnderstandA broad awareness of the content of the New Testament writings and the contexts in which they emerged.
ProceduralApplyA knowledge of how to bring standard historical-critical questions to the New Testament texts.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandA broad awareness of the content of the New Testament writings and the contexts in which they emerged.
ConceptualUnderstandA knowledge of the most significant current debates in New Testament scholarship and the basic methodological issues that influence these.
ConceptualAnalyseA knowledge of the differences between the New Testament writings and an associated ability to interpret and explain passages from different NT texts on the basis of key themes and concepts.
ProceduralApplyA knowledge of how to bring standard historical-critical questions to the New Testament texts.

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