Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

Introducing the Gospels: Mark

Unit Code: 
OBN300
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit introduces critical methodologies for interpreting the New Testament, via a detailed examination of the Gospel of Mark. Students will examine this Gospel’s genre, structure, socio-historical context and theological emphases. They will study theories about the transmission of Jesus-traditions in the first century and the relationships between the gospels (particularly the “synoptic gospels” – Matthew, Mark, and Luke). They will become familiar with a variety of reading methods for the Bible by employing historical, literary and reader-focussed strategies.

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate a detailed understanding of the genre, structure, socio-historical context and theological emphases of the Gospel of Mark
  2. engage in exegesis of passages from the Gospel of Mark
  3. demonstrate familiarity with critical theories of the process that led to the writing of the synoptic gospels
  4. demonstrate knowledge of the cultural and social situation of the Mediterranean world in New Testament times
  5. apply several kinds of reading methods to the Gospel of Mark and similar texts
Lecturer/s: 
Anne Elvey
Timetabling
Semester: 
Semester 1
Unit Frequency: 
Annual
Years Offered: 
2010
Years Offered: 
2011
Years Offered: 
2012
Years Offered: 
2013
Years Offered: 
2014
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Graduate Certificate in Theology
Courses: 
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Master of Divinity
Field: 
Field B Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
Biblical Studies
Disciplines: 
New Testament
MDiv Field: 
Biblical Studies
Department Name: 
Department of Biblical Studies
Unit Level
GradDip Field: 
Foundational
MDiv Type of Study: 
Foundational
Prohibited Combinations: 

BN112 Introduction to Synoptic Studies and Exegesis of Mark; OBS300 Engaging with Scripture

Mode of Teaching: 
Online
Teaching Methods: 

Six fortnightly sessions, comprising guided reading from the set texts, additional reading resources and some notes, together with an online tutorial. Students will be expected to contribute to the discussions in each session.

Workload
Number of timetabled hours per week: 
0
Expected personal study hours per week: 
12
Total workload hours per week: 
12
Total workload hours for unit: 
144
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

5 x 400-word short papers

Weighting: 
30%
Assessment Type: 

1 x 2000-word exegetical essay

Weighting: 
30%
Assessment Type: 

1 x 2000-word thematic essay

Weighting: 
30%
Assessment Type: 

contribution to and participation in online tutorials

Weighting: 
10%
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

  • * A Bible, including the Apocryphal/Deutero-canonical Books, in a recent, fairly literal translation such as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). [A “study Bible” (i.e., a biblical translation with notes and maps) is recommended, such as the New Oxford Annotated Bible or the HarperCollins Study Bible.]
  • Anderson, Janice Capel and Stephen D. Moore (eds.). Mark and Method: New Approaches in Biblical Studies. 2nd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2008.
  • Boring, M. Eugene. Mark: A Commentary. The New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2006.
  • Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. Anchor Bible Reference Library. New York : Doubleday, 1997.
  • Byrne, Brendan. A Costly Freedom: A Theological Reading of Mark’s Gospel. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2008.
  • Collins, Adela Yarbro. Mark: A Commentary. Hermeneia. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007.
  • Donahue, John R. and Harrington, Daniel J. The Gospel of Mark. Sacra Pagina 2. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2002.
  • Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. 4th ed. New York : Oxford University Press, 2008.
  • Harrington, Daniel J. What are they saying about Mark? WATSA Series. New York: Paulist, 2004.
  • Hooker, Morna D. A Commentary on the Gospel according to St. Mark. Black's New Testament Commentaries. London: Black, 1991 [or 1993 from Hendrickson].
  • Marcus, Joel. Mark 1–8: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible 27. New York: Doubleday, 2000.
  • Marcus, Joel. Mark 9–16: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Yale Bible 27A. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009.
  • Moloney, Francis J. The Gospel of Mark: A Commentary. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 2002.
  • Powell, Mark Allan. Fortress Introduction to the Gospels. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998.
  • Sanders, E. P. and Margaret Davies. Studying the Synoptic Gospels. London: SCM, 1989.
  • Senior, Donald. The Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark. Passion Series 2. Wilmington, Del.: Liturgical (Glazier), 1984.
  • Throckmorton, Burton H. Gospel Parallels: A Comparison of the Synoptic Gospels. 5th ed. (NRSV). Nashville: Nelson, 1992.
  • Witherington, Ben. The Gospel of Mark: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2001. 

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.