The Gospel of Mark (BN0145W)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit is an introduction to the Gospel of Mark, in which participants identify and interact with the gospel’s major themes. Attention is given to the broader social, cultural, political and religious contexts of the gospel. Practical components of the subject develop skills needed to teach the gospel in Christian contexts, for example, through preaching, Bible studies, or generation-specific programs.

Unit code: BN0145W

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Diploma

Unit discipline: New Testament

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Outline the narrative flow of the Gospel of Mark
2.

Give a plausible account of the broader social, cultural, political and religious contexts of the Gospel of Mark
3.

Exegete specific passages from the Gospel of Mark
4.

Outline one way of teaching the content of the Gospel of Mark within a church-based ministry context

Pedagogy

This unit is a combination of lectures and workshops, with an emphasis on hearing the Gospel of Mark read aloud and discussing it in class. The unit will feature a range of guests who are practitioners, pastors, etc. - people who will help students think about the practical applications of the text.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Beavis, Mary Ann. Mark. Baker Academic, 2014.
  • Blount, Brian K and Gary Charles. Preaching Mark in Two Voices. Westminster John Knox, 2002.
  • Byrne, Brendan. A Costly Freedom: A Theological Reading of Mark’s Gospel. Liturgical Press, 2008.
  • Collins, Adela Yarbro. Mark: A Commentary. Fortress Press, 2007.
  • Huat Tan, Kim. Mark: A New Covenant Commentary. Lutterworth Press, 2016.
  • Leander, Hans. Discourses of Empire. The Gospel of Mark from a Postcolonial Perspective. SBL Press, 2013.
  • Malbon, Elizabeth. Hearing Mark: A Listener’s Guide. Eerdmans, 2002.
  • Miller, Susan. Women in Mark's Gospel. T & T Clark International, 2004.
  • St. Clair, Raquel. Call and Consequences: A Womanist Reading of Mark. Fortress, 2008.
  • Thomaskutty, Johnson, Brian C. Wintle, Tatsiong Benny Liew, and K. K. Yeo, eds. An Asian Introduction to the New Testament. Augsburg Fortress, 2022.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegesis - A 1000-word exegesis 1000 30.0
Oral Presentation - A 15-minute presentation 1000 30.0
Essay - A 1500-word theological essay 1500 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 9 Feb, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-02-09 16:48:58 +1100