Course finder

Semester 1

Apocalypse: The Book of Revelation in History and Culture (DIVI10109)

Subject

Divinity

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students are welcome. Some background in Theology and Religious Studies, Biblical Studies, Classics, Ancient History or other related areas would be beneficial.

Course Summary

This course studies the New Testament Book of Revelation and its influence in culture up to the present day. We will examine the text in its ancient historical context, and explore some of the many ways it has been interpreted in later art, literature, politics, and film.

Course Description

Academic Description: The New Testament Book of Revelation has exerted an exceptional theological and cultural influence. The proposed course will provide students with the chance to study this important text in its historical context, but also to explore its later reception in theology, art, politics and film. The course will begin with a close reading of the text, locating it within its ancient Jewish and Roman imperial context, and drawing on ancient literary and archaeological evidence to explore questions of genre, identity, and response to colonialism. Recent scholarship, including historical-critical, postcolonial, rhetorical, and feminist interpretations, will enable us to engage critically with a variety of approaches to the text. We will then draw on reception studies to explore some of the many ways Revelation has been interpreted in later theology, politics, and culture. Outline Content: The course will begin by locating Revelation in its ancient historical and literary context, emphasising the significance of the Jewish experience under Roman imperialism, the Jewish War with Rome, and the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, as well as the diverse nature of Jesus-following groups in the first century and their relationships with (other) Jews. We will address questions of genre and rhetoric, considering different approaches to reading and interpreting this enigmatic text. Our study will include close readings of particular passages, employing historical-critical, postcolonial, feminist and other hermeneutical approaches. In the last weeks of the class, we will examine some selected examples of the reception of revelation in later culture, theology and art and reflect on what these interpretations can tell us about the text and its ongoing influence. Student Learning Experience: There will be a 2-hour seminar each week, which will include interactive lectures, discussion, and small group activities. Each student will write one blog post during the course of the semester. There will be a mid-semester essay and a final exam.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 60%, Coursework 40%, Practical Exam 0%

view the timetable and further details for this course