The Gospel of Mark (BN9018Y)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

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 – also in relation to the broader scope of the Synoptic Gospels.

Unit code: BN9018Y

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: New Testament

Delivery Mode: Blended

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically describe the types of literary forms found in the Gospel of Mark and demonstrate how knowledge of these forms aid in the interpretation of specific passages

2.

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

3.

Critically engage with 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
4.

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

5.

Exegete passages from Mark’s Gospel using appropriate methodologies
6.

Produce critical biblical research in the Gospel of Mark

Unit sequence

2 Foundational Units in Biblical Studies, or equivalent

Pedagogy

Lectures, tutorials and class discussions

Indicative Bibliography

  • Beavis, Mary Ann. Mark. Paideia. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011.
  • Boring, M. Eugene. Mark A Commentary. NTL. London: Westminster John Knox, 2006.
  • 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.
  • France, R. T. Mark. NIGTC. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002.
  • Malina, Bruce J., and Richard L. Rohrbaugh. Social-Science Commentary on the Synoptic Gospels. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1992.
  • Marcus, Joel. Mark 1-8. The Anchor Bible. New York: Doubleday, 2000.
  • ———. Mark 8-16. The Anchor Yale Bible. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2009
  • Mullins, Michael. The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary. Dublin: Columba, 2005.
  • Witherington, Ben. The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2001.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegesis 2500 40.0
Essay

4500 word research essay

 4500 60.0
Approvals

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

Unit record last updated: 2022-05-18 12:25:11 +1000