Book of Isaiah (BA9330C)

Postgraduate, 24.0 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 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: BA9330C

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Proposing College: Catholic Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically engage in the central debates about the composition and interpretation of the book of Isaiah.
2.

Exegete select texts in the book of Isaiah, employing a range of approaches used in critical study.
3.

Use and evaluate scholarly literature and background material relevant to the study of the book of Isaiah.
4.

Raise and respond to questions about the theological significance of the texts studied in the unit.
5.

Articulate in a critical manner an understanding of whether and how the book of Isaiah forms a meaningful whole.
6.

Identify, develop and explore a specific research topic on the book of Isaiah.

Unit sequence

BA8001C and BN8001C or equivalent introductory biblical units.

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

2,500-word exegesis

 2500 35.0
Essay

4,500-word essay

 4500 65.0
Approvals

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

Unit record last updated: 2023-06-13 16:04:43 +1000