ENGM5113 - Appropriating the Bible: Ways, Truths and Literary Lives

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 Demonstrate an informed knowledge of issues connected with the translation, interpretation and propagation of the Bible in England
2 Critically evaluate the inter-relationships between spiritual experience, socio-cultural contexts and literary representation
3 Critically examine a range of primary texts, demonstrating awareness of relevant social, literary and religious contexts
4 Demonstrate understanding of different critical perspectives on selected primary texts, and engage with issues in current scholarly debates, including, for example, the significance of the Bible as a literary canon

Content:

This module is concerned with the ways in which the English Bible was claimed, explained and proclaimed by institutions and individuals, and how it came to inspire other forms of literary expression. Starting with the major figures who were responsible for its translation, the module moves on to consider preachers of the Word in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In the second half of the module the focus shifts to individual responses and the consideration of a range of genres from early seventeenth century spiritual narratives to nineteenth century novels. Attention will be paid to aspects of literary production and the significance of socio-cultural and denominational contexts.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Seminars will make use of a number of learning and teaching methods including: short presentations by tutor; exercises in groups; informal presentations by students; plenary discussions.

seminars
Contact hours: 2 x 12 hours
Intended Group size: 1

Individual tutorials
Contact hours: 20 minutes

Assessment: