Content

The unit will commence with a brief study of the historical setting and literary forms of the New Testament writings, with special emphasis on the origin, literary character and theology of the Markan narrative. The methodology of biblical exegesis will be explained and illustrated in relation to the Gospel and in relation to the broader scope of the Synoptic Gospels.

Unit code: BN3018Y

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: New Testament

Delivery Mode: Blended

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Analyse the geographic and historical background to the Gospel of Mark and discuss the social and political world in which it emerged

2.

Identify the structure, content and key theological themes of the Gospel of Mark, the purpose for which it was written, the literary and narrative techniques that are used and its relationship to the other Synoptic Gospels

3.

Exegete passages from Mark’s Gospel using appropriate methodologies

4.

Evaluate the relationship between the Gospel of Mark and the OT, and articulate implicit and explicit intertextual references

5.

Critically engage with secondary sources in interpreting Mark’s Gospel

Unit sequence

BA1000Y and BN1000Y or equivalent

Pedagogy

Lectures, tutorials and class discussions

Indicative Bibliography

  • Mary Ann. Mark Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011.
  • Boring, M. Eugene. Mark A Commentary. NTL. London: Westminster John Knox, 2006.
  • Brown, Raymond E. Introduction to the New Testament. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1997.
  • Byrne, Brendan. A Costly Freedom: A Theological Reading of Mark’s Gospel. Strathfield: St Pauls, 2008.
  • Culpepper, R. Alan. Mark. Macon, GA: Smyth Helwys, 2007.
  • Donahue, John R., and Daniel J. Harrington. The Gospel of Mark. Sacra Pagina 2. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical, 2002.
  • Dowd, Sharyn. Reading Mark: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the Second Gospel. Macon, GA: Smith Helwys, 2000.
  • Flanagan, Patrick J. The Gospel of Mark Made Easy. Fairfield: Fairfield Press, 1996.
  • Malina, Bruce J., and Richard L. Rohrbaugh. Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1992.
  • Mullins, Michael. The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary. Dublin: Columba, 2005.
  • Rhoads, David M., Joanna Dewey, and Donald M. Michie. Mark as Story: Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel. 2nd ed. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1999.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegesis 1500 30.0
Essay 3000 70.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 18 May, 2022

Unit record last updated: 2022-05-18 12:24:16 +1000