(offered by the Departments of Old Testament and
Ancient Near Eastern Studies, and New Testament)
Telephone number 012 429 4711/4322
1
Introduction
Since the Bible is the foundational document of the Christian faith, theological study needs to give special a�ention to the way it came to be wri�en and the way it is interpreted in various contexts. By so doing, the Bible can be interpreted in a more relevant way today.
The modules grouped together in this “track” represent the disciplines of Old Testament and New Testament studies, but also include modules from other disciplines that focus on the interpretation of the Bible in contemporary society. Having been designed in terms of an outcomes based approach to learning, these modules taken together enable students to: demonstrate an understanding of their rootedness in their own cultural and religious traditions; be sensitive to the ways “ordinary readers” interpret the Bible; respect different traditions of biblical interpretation; be able to interpret the Bible contextually; understand the different traditions in Christianity; be able to apply strategies to bridge the historical and cultural gap between the worlds of the Bible and of today; function effectively as an interpreter of Scripture in a Christian community; communicate biblical values to a wider community.
2
General Information
Credit for a degree is granted for either SCR101 or 111 and 102 or 1123
Transitional Arrangements
Study Unit passed Modules which
may not be taken Outstanding modules
BST100 SCR111, 112
OTA200/NTA200 Any ONE module Any SIX of SCR301–309, BBS304, BBA305 OTB200/NTB200 Any ONE module Any SIX of SCR301–309,
BBS304, BBA305 OTA200 and
OTB200 Any THREE modules Any FOUR of SCR301–309, BBS304, BBA305 NTA200 and
NTB200 Any THREE modules Any FOUR of SCR301–309, BBS304, BBA305
4
Scripture Studies as a Major Subject
Compulsory modules for a major subject
combination:
First level: SCR101 or 111 and SCR102 or 112
Second and third level: Any SEVEN of SCR301, 302, 303, 306, 307, 309, BTH320, Biblical Studies (BBS304), Biblical Archaeology (BBA305).
5
Syllabus
NB
All modules in this subject are offered as YEAR MODULES.
The first-level semester modules SCR101 and SCR102 are no longer offered and have been replaced by the year modules SCR111 and SCR112.
FIRST-LEVEL MODULES
SCR111X Forms of the Bible: Traditions, texts, translations* Co-requisite (for BTh): CGM111 (or 101)
Purpose: to enable students to understand the nature and problems of Bible translation by studying the impact of culture and ideology in the quest for authenticity; the importance of textual criticism, and the role and origin of ancient editions, manuscripts and authoritative versions in the history of the Bible, and the Bible in contemporary forms such as cinematography, electronic format and oral traditions.
SCR112Y Biblical interpretation and hermeneutics* NB
Final assessment in this module will be based on a portfolio which the student will be required to complete and submit.
Co-requisite (for BTh): CGM111 (or 101)
Purpose: to enable students to interpret the Bible in current contexts, appreciate the importance of contexts in interpretation, and recognise factors which may influence the way the Bible is read, and to get an overview of biblical interpretation and current methods of interpretation, and deal with theories about how texts communicate.
SECOND AND THIRD-LEVEL MODULES NB
Second and third-level modules all carry 300 codes.
Prerequisite (for BA): TWO first-level modules in this subject or any FOUR first-level modules
Co-requisite (for BTh): TIC111 (or 101), 112 (or 102), CGM111 (or 101), 112 (or 102), CMM111 (or 101), 112 (or 102), SCR111 (or 101), SCR112 (or 102) and TWO first-level modules
SCR3015 The Bible in contemporary society*
Purpose: to enable students to identify, analyse and evaluate the Bible’s symbolic role and position in the shaping and formation of cultural beliefs. It examines the manner in which the Bible functions in contemporary issues, such as healing, specifically faith healing, gender, in particular sexuality, constructions and images of Jesus, and in the creation of historical designs and worldviews.
SCR3026 The Bible and social values*
Purpose: to enable students to discover the dominant values which shaped social structures in the Ancient Near Eastern world as matrix of communities in Israel, and of the Graeco-Roman/Mediterranean world of the New Testament.
SCR3038 Faith, theory and hermeneutics
Purpose: to explore, within the field of faith, the coterminous development of the notions of theories and hermeneutics, then the relationship between theory/hermeneutics and practice, and finally different approaches to theory, hermeneutics and textual interpretation.
SCR306B Christian foundations: the early centuries* Purpose: to enable students to lay firm foundations for understanding the Christian faith and further church historical study.
SCR307C Old Testament theological themes*
Purpose: to enable students to gain a be�er understanding of contemporary life in South Africa by studying some themes from the Old Testament. SCR309E The Bible and gender
Purpose: to enable students to interpret the Bible in a gender sensitive manner and to investigate the role played by the Bible in shaping a�itudes towards women in church and society.
BTH320A Integrated theological praxis NB
This module can only be taken by students who have majored in Scripture Studies for the BTh degree in the last year of registration. It may be included as a major subject module.
Purpose: to enable a student to integrate the insights and competences gained during the course of doing the other 29 modules for the BTh. It further prepares a student for a life of ongoing theological learning and service, either through formal postgraduate study or through the practice of ministry. The module also enables Unisa lecturers, together with external examiners, to practise integrated assessment, by ascertaining whether a student has a�ained the outcomes envisaged for the BTh qualification.
Sculpture
(offered by the Department of Art History, Visual
Arts and Musicology)
Telephone number 012 429 6621
NB Please note that the closing date for registration for this subject is 31 January.
Prospective students must obtain prior permission from the Department of History, Visual Arts and Musicology before registering for the degree.
1
Introduction
Sculpture aims at developing creative thinking through the guidance of projects and incorporates both methodology in art making and the principles of sculpture by exploring a variety of media and technical processes.
2
General Information
This subject was previously known as Three-dimensional Form. This study unit may be taken only for the BVA degree.
Credit for a degree is granted for either DON100 or THF101 and 102 or THF111.
3
Syllabus
NB
Students must a�end at least two days of the first practical workshop. Students are expected to a�end the two workshops presented.
Registration closes on 31 January for all practical modules. FIRST LEVEL
THF111E Sculpture (year module)
Advice: You are strongly advised to do GAR111 and TWF111 before THF111. Purpose: to introduce the student to the discipline of sculpture and to provide students with basic skills training in sculpture. The module aims at developing creative thinking through the guidance of projects and incorporates both methodologies inherent to art practice and the principles and techniques of sculpture through the exploration of traditional and non-traditional media.