Postgraduate Course: Apocalypse: The Book of Revelation in History and Culture (PG) (DIVI11046)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course studies the New Testament Book of Revelation and its influence in culture up to the present day. We will examine the text in its ancient historical context, and explore some of the many ways it has been interpreted in later art, literature, politics, and film. |
| Course description |
Academic Description:
The New Testament Book of Revelation has exerted an exceptional theological and cultural influence. The proposed course will provide students with the chance to study this important text in its historical context, but also to explore its later reception in theology, art, politics and film. The course will begin with a close reading of the text, locating it within its ancient Jewish and Roman imperial context, and drawing on ancient literary and archaeological evidence to explore questions of genre, identity, and response to colonialism. Recent scholarship, including historical-critical, postcolonial, rhetorical, and feminist interpretations, will enable us to engage critically with a variety of approaches to the text. We will then draw on reception studies to explore some of the many ways Revelation has been interpreted in later theology, politics, and culture.
Outline Content:
The course will begin by locating Revelation in its ancient historical and literary context, emphasising the significance of the Jewish experience under Roman imperialism, the Jewish War with Rome, and the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, as well as the diverse nature of Jesus-following groups in the first century and their relationships with (other) Jews. We will address questions of genre and rhetoric, considering different approaches to reading and interpreting this enigmatic text. Our study will include close readings of particular passages, employing historical-critical, postcolonial, feminist and other hermeneutical approaches. In the last weeks of the class, we will examine some selected examples of the reception of revelation in later culture, theology and art and reflect on what these interpretations can tell us about the text and its ongoing influence.
Student Learning Experience:
There will be a 2-hour seminar each week, which will include interactive lectures, discussion, and small group activities. Students will give a presentation on the topic of their research essay.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2023/24, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 38 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Revision Session Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
172 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
90 %,
Practical Exam
10 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
10% presentation on research topic
90% research essay of 4000 words |
| Feedback |
Oral feedback in class. Written feedback on presentation. Formative feedback on an essay plan (optional). |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Analyse Revelation within its historical context.
- Understand and critically assess the multiplicity of interpretive approaches to Revelation.
- Understand and evaluate scholarly views.
- Communicate and discuss ideas and arguments clearly and persuasively.
- Present a research project to peers and respond constructively to feedback and questions.
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Reading List
Beal, Timothy. The Book of Revelation: A Biography. Princeton University Press, 2018.
Blackwell, Ben C., et al. Reading Revelation in Context: John's Apocalypse and Second Temple Judaism. Zondervan Academic, 2019.
Blount, Brian K. Revelation: A Commentary. Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.
Koester, Craig R. Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Yale University Press, 2014.
Koester, Craig R. (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of the Book of Revelation. Oxford University Press, 2020.
Levine, Amy-Jill. A Feminist Companion to the Apocalypse of John / Edited by Amy-Jill Levine ; with Maria Mayo Robbins. T&T Clark, 2009. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Curiosity for learning about other time periods, cultures and worldviews
Critical and reflective thinking
Appreciating the complexity of interpretation and the possibility of multiple meanings
Understanding and analyzing arguments
Communicating ideas clearly and persuasively |
| Keywords | New Testament,Apocalypse,Revelation,Bible,ancient Judaism,Roman Empire |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Philippa Townsend
Tel:
Email: Philippa.Townsend@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | |
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