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Unit of study_

BBCL1002: Biblical Themes: Joshua to Kings

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit focuses specifically on narrative books of the Hebrew Bible including Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings. The unit focuses on the themes of these biblical books, as well as exploring the historical background of the texts and the events they describe. Attention will be directed to other relevant writings of the period in the Ancient Near East.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BBCL1002
Academic unit Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ian Young (FASS), ian.young@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Tutorial participation
n/a
10% - n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Final Assessment
Long answer/ essay
30% Formal exam period
Due date: 03 Dec 2021 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation Tutorial presentations
Oral presentation
10% Multiple weeks 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Exegesis papers
Long answer/essay
50% Multiple weeks 2x 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found in the Canvas site for this unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Course Introduction Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Doing exegesis — prepared by your tutors. For full information on tutorials etc see the Course Outline handed out in class and on Canvas Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Joshua Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
2 Kings 17:1–23 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Joshua Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Joshua 1:1–18 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Joshua (includes: The Deuteronomistic History Theory) Lecture (2 hr) LO4
Joshua 23:1–16 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Judges Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Joshua 5:1–15 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Judges Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Judges 4:1–24 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Samuel Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Judges 6:33–7:23 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Samuel Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
1 Samuel 10:17–11:15 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 The Deuteronomic Books as Ancient Books Lecture (2 hr) LO1
1 Samuel 17:1–58 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Kings Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
2 Samuel 24:1–25 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Kings Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
2 Kings 22:1–20 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Kings (includes: course wrap up) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
2 Kings 25:22–30 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library Reading List link available on Canvas. Students should have access to a copy of the Bible.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. discuss the main literary techniques that are used in biblical narrative to convey meaning
  • LO2. understand the difference between “exegesis” and “hermeneutics”
  • LO3. write a scholarly exegesis of biblical passages
  • LO4. understand and describe the main themes of each of the biblical books studied from Joshua, Judges, Samuel and Kings.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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