Book of Isaiah (BA3330C)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

The unit examines major issues associated with contemporary study of the book of Isaiah, in particular the complex history of the book, including the hypothesis of three major editions (chs. 1–39; 40–55; and 56–66) stemming from different periods in Israelite tradition, and the composition of the final book to form a meaningful whole. Students will engage in the exegetical study of selected texts and explore the relevance of the book and its theology for today.

Unit code: BA3330C

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate knowledge of the common literary forms found in prophetic literature and particularly in the book of Isaiah.
2.

Engage in the central debates about the composition and interpretation of the book of Isaiah.
3.

Analyse select texts in the book of Isaiah, employing contemporary methods of interpretation.
4.

Use and evaluate scholarly literature and background material relevant to the study of the book of Isaiah.
5.

Explore the theological significance of the texts studied in the unit and their relationship to the book as a whole.

Unit sequence

Two units in Biblical Studies, including some Old Testament study, at second level (or equivalent).

Pedagogy

Lectures, tutorials, and class discussion (in each case, presented in modes appropriate for face-to-face or online learning contexts).

Indicative Bibliography

  • Berges, Ulrich. The Book of Isaiah. Its Composition and Final Form. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2012.
  • Childs, Brevard S. Isaiah. Old Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2001.
  • Hoppe, Leslie J. Isaiah. New College Bible Commentary. Old Testament, 13. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2012.
  • Kim, Hyun Chul Paul. Reading Isaiah. A Literary and Theological Commentary. Macon: Smyth and Helwys, 2017.
  • Melugin, Roy, and Marvin A. Sweeney, eds. New Visions of Isaiah. JSOTSup 214. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic, 1996.
  • Niskanen, Paul V. Isaiah 56–66. Berit Olam. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2014.
  • Tiemeyer, Lena-Sofia, ed. The Oxford Handbook of Isaiah. Oxford Handbooks. New York: Oxford University Press, 2020.
  • Watts, John D. W. Isaiah 1-33. Rev. ed. WBC 24. Nashville: Nelson, 2005.
  • ———. Isaiah 34-66. Rev. ed. WBC 25. Nashville: Nelson, 2005.
  • Wildberger, Hans. Isaiah: A Commentary. 3 vols. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2002.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegesis

1,500-word exegesis

 1500 30.0
Essay

3,500-word essay

 3500 70.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 13 Jun, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-06-13 15:58:07 +1000