Skip to main content
Unit of study_

BBCL2610: The New Testament Literature

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit of study provides an overview of the New Testament as a literary and theological work, seeking to understand both the early Christian 'story' and the various modes in which it was retold and applied in the first century CE. Students explore the various genres of NT literature, including 'gospel', epistolary forms, parable and apocalyptic. Particular attention is paid to reader-response criticism of the Gospels and intertextuality in the NT epistles. Documents will be read in English translation.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BBCL2610
Academic unit Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
12 Junior credit points including at least 6 in BBCL1001, BBCL1002, HBRW1111, HBRW1112, RLST1002 and 6 from Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies, Ancient History, Anthropology, Archaeology, History, English, Philosophy, Studies in Religion, Arabic Studies or 6 Senior credit points in BBCL2603, BBCL2607, BBCL2609 or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Biblical Studies and Classical Hebrew or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Jewish Civilisation, Thought and Culture or Studies in Religion
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gili Kugler, gili.kugler@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research essay
Essay
50% - 2700 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Participation
n/a
10% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation
10% oral presentation 10 % 1000 wrd presentation 10% weekly assignments
30% Ongoing 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Research proposal
10% Week 07 800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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 The New Testament: History, Theology, Literature and Canon Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 The New Testament: Missionary Documents Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 03 The Petrine Mission: Mark’s Gospel Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 04 The Petrine Mission: 1-2 Peter Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 05 The Jacobite Mission: Matthew, James, Jude Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 06 The Pauline Mission: Luke and Acts Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 07 The Pauline Mission: Paul the Letter Writer Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 08 The Pauline Mission: Paul’s Letters Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 09 The Johannine Mission: John Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 10 The Johannine Mission: Revelation Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 11 The Johannine Mission: 1 John Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 12 The New Testament as Literature: Summary A Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 13 The New Testament as Literature: Summary B Lecture (2 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

 

Task 1. Course participation (10%)

Full attendance in zoom sessions, submission of diagrammed text (via LMS), and active contribution to discussion in tutorials.

 

Task 2. Class presentation (30%)

Each student will be required to give a 15 minute oral presentation of their exegesis of that week’s set primary text (to be handed in via the LMS at presentation).

 

Task 3. Research Proposal (10%)

Students will submit (via the LMS) an 800 word research proposal outlining:

  • The thesis of the Essay
  • A brief review of the secondary literature relevant to the thesis
  • A list of key primary texts from which the thesis will be argue

 

Task 4. Research Essay (50%)

  • Students will submit (via the LMS) an essay (2700 words) answering the following question with regards to either Luke, Romans, Hebrews or Revelation (you cannot choose a primary text that overlaps with your class presentation).

    QUESTION: In what ways does your primary text (Matthew, Romans, Hebrews or Revelation) differ and/or agree with the theology of the apostolic mission?

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 eReserve link available on Canvas.

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. articulate the essential contents of some of the New Testament documents (Mark, Acts, Galatians, 1 John)
  • LO2. identify the literary forms that occur in the New Testament
  • LO3. discuss the New Testament’s use of ‘Old’ Testament texts, thoughts or people
  • LO4. articulate the issues surrounding the formation of the Canon
  • LO5. locate the New Testament documents in their first century historical and theological context
  • LO6. explain the relationship of the New Testaments to the apostolic mission
  • LO7. account for the rise of earliest Christianity in its Jewish context.

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.

The course has been updated to an online mode.

Disclaimer

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

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.