Undergraduate Course: Passion of the Christ: Texts and Reception (DIVI10127)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course will look at the way in which Jesus' passion has been understood over the centuries, not only by the evangelists and early Church Fathers, but also by poets, dramatists, authors and artists. We'll see how these reflections go to the very heart of the human experience, exploring the depths of betrayal, denial, courage, expediency, faith, and hope. |
| Course description |
Academic Description
The course is an introduction to Biblical Reception, with particular attention to the passion of Jesus Christ. Reception studies have proliferated over recent years, notably with the massive Encyclopedia of the Bible and its Reception, and several new journals and monograph series. The aim of the course is to encourage students to understand that the gospel passion narratives themselves are examples of reception, an ongoing process that both expands the silences of the narratives through time and rewrites and updates their central themes. Examples of reception will be drawn from a wide range of time periods and media: from patristic texts to plays, mediaeval poems, legends and art; to modern literature, plays and film. What unites them all is the fact that they take their inspiration from Christ's passion. Moving back full circle, students will be encouraged to see how later receptions can inform our understandings of the biblical texts.
The course will attract students who are interested in the Bible and the Arts, and its interdisciplinary nature may attract students from other schools (particularly Art History).
Outline Content
After a more theoretical introductory session, each class will have two parts. In the first, we will explore the biblical narratives, noting their differences, gaps and silences. In the second, we will look at examples of later receptions in diverse contexts and media, with a view to understanding how the biblical text has been interpreted throughout Christian history. The course will benefit from the expertise of Prof Carol Richardson (Art History), who will co-teach two sessions, and Suzanne Lofthus (Director, Cutting Edge Theatre), who will share her experiences of producing a passion play. The precise topics will change each year, but we will broadly work our way through the gospel passion narratives, from Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane to the empty tomb and resurrection appearances. (See below for representative outline).
Student Learning Experience
The course will be taught through a combination of lectures from the lead teacher (or guests), class discussion, interactive elements, and small groups. It is envisaged that the first hour will tend to be more instructor-led, particularly as we analyse the biblical texts. The second hour will feature student-led discussions of various receptions. As this course will be taught in the lead-up to Easter, students will be encouraged to bring in further examples of reception as they come across them.
All examples of reception (poems, novels, artwork etc) will be electronically available, and students will be given a clear set of guidelines and questions each week to guide their readings. Each student will be expected to introduce one reception to the rest of the class throughout the course (in effect, a 5-minute presentation). They will demonstrate their achievement of the remaining ILOs through two essays:
Biblical Essay (30%)- this first essay of 1,500 words will focus on an aspect of the gospel passion narratives, showing a detailed knowledge of the gospel text and its interpretation.
Reception Essay (60%)- this second essay of 3,000 words will focus on a different biblical text along with at least two later receptions. The essay should show a good grasp of both the issues raised by the gospel passage and later interpretative attempts to explore them further.
These two essays will encourage students to think deeply, critically and creatively about biblical passages and their afterlives. The first (shorter) essay ensures that they have the critical skills in place to evaluate the passion narratives, while the second (longer) essay allows them to move on to combine their study of the biblical text with at least one later reception.
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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 | Visiting students should have at least 3 Divinity/Religious Studies courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 22,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Revision Session Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
170 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
90 %,
Practical Exam
10 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Class presentation (10%), Essay 1 (30%), Essay 2 (60%)«br /»
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| Feedback |
Students will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on their first essay plan; they will have the grade and detailed feedback on this first essay before the second one is due.
Students will receive timely feedback on their short presentation.
Students will be encouraged to discuss their longer project with the class teacher. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critically evaluate the gospel passion narratives, showing an awareness of current biblical scholarship
- Understand, critique and evaluate receptions of Christ¿s passion from a variety of different contexts.
- Articulate the complex development of traditions in diverse places and settings.
- Deliver an informed, clear and engaging presentation to a small group of peers.
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Reading List
Students will be expected to consult relevant works from the reading list (we will not have a set textbook). Representative titles include:
General:
Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception (EBR) online access
Emma England and William J. Lyons (eds.), Reception History and Biblical Studies: Theory and Practice. London: T&T Clark, 2015.
Robert Evans, Reception History, Tradition and Biblical Interpretation: Gadamer and Jauss in Current Practice. London: Bloomsbury, 2014.
Chris Lawn, Gadamer: A Guide for the Perplexed. London: Bloomsbury, 2006.
Christine Joynes (ed.). Perspectives on the Passion: Encountering the Bible through the Arts. London: T&T Clark, 2007.
_____ 'Changing Horizons: Reflections on a Decade at Oxford University's Centre for Reception History of the Bible,' JBR 1 (2014): 161-71.
Ulrich Luz, Matthew 21-28: A Commentary. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2005.
William John Lyons, 'Hope for a troubled discipline: Contributions to NT Studies from Reception History,' JSNT 33 (2010): 207-220.
Specific Studies:
Kathleen Corley and Robert L. Webb (eds.), Jesus and Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ: the Film, the Gospels and the Claims of History. London: Continuum, 2004.
Christine Joynes, 'The Sound of Silence: Interpreting Mark 16:1-8 through the Centuries,' Interpretation 65 (2011): 18-29.
_____ 'Betrayal and Forgiveness,' Art and Christianity 111 (2022).
Todd Lawson, The Crucifixion and the Qur'an: A Study in the History of Muslim Thought. Oneworld, 2009.
William John Lyons, Joseph of Arimathea: A Study in Reception History. Oxford: OUP, 2014.
Kim Paffenroth, Judas: Images of the Lost Disciple. London: Westminster John Knox, 2001.
Joan Taylor, Jesus and Brian: Exploring the Historical Jesus and his times via Monty Python's Life of Brian. London: Bloomsbury, 2015.
Websites:
https://artsandculture.google.com/story/botticelli-featuring-dante-kupferstichkabinett-staatliche-museen-zu-berlin/6gWBKADf-6d1JA?hl=en (on Botticelli)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVVzVD8b9PM (discussion of Dream of the Rood by Prof Mary Flannery)
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Curiosity for learning and openness to different perspectives
Ability to think critically and reflectively
Ability to solve problems creatively
Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing
Capacity to give a clear and accurate account of a subject, marshal arguments, and engage in respectful debate and dialogue
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| Keywords | Passion,Jesus Christ,Reception,Gospels |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Helen Bond
Tel: (0131 6)50 8923
Email: H.Bond@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | |
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