TEOL4102 – Old Testament Theology

Course content

Despite the prominent place of Old Testament theology in higher theological education throughout Christianity, there is presently no consensus on how an Old Testament theology is best written. The aim of this course is to present and discuss various concepts of Old Testament theology – classical as well as post-classical ones. Also we shall study how different concepts of the discipline contributes to highlighting different kinds of theologically relevant materials in biblical Hebrew literature.

A note on instructional language: Teaching and course material will be in English, as is the course literature. There might be alternative course literature available in Norwegian, German, etc. Students may address the class in any language for which there is someone present that is able to translate into English!

Learning outcome

Upon completion of this course, students should have

  • obtained knowledge of theologically relevant material in the Old Testament
  • be familiar with various ways of interpreting this material theologically (i.e. of various models for OT Theology).
  • achieve an ability to make a critical evaluation both of models for OT theology and of theologically relevant material in the Old Testament.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Bachelor egree with an emphasis in theology, Christian/religious studies, 80 credits or equivalent.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

Students are required to have a background of studies in Biblical Hebrew TEOL1002 – Bibelhebraisk (discontinued). Students without such background may pursue the parallel course CONT4105 – Old Testament Theology (discontinued).

Teaching

This course is offered every autumn, normally with English as instructional language.

Obligatory requirements:

Around mid term each student will complete and present to the professor one small essay (some 1000 words) on a theme from within the syllabus literature. The topic for the paper must be approved by the professor. Papers may be written in English or Norwegian.

Examination

Term paper of some 4000 words.

The topic for the term paper must be approved by the professor within the given deadline. The term paper should

  • present a selection of theologically relevant OT material
  • present a theological interpretation of this material, and
  • relate this interpretation to predominant models of doing Old Testament theology.

Language of examination

Term papers may be written in English or Norwegian.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Students who due to illness or other valid reason of absence were unable to sit for their final exams may apply for participation in make-up exams. Make-up exams are arranged either later in the same semester or early in the semester following the exam in question. Documentation of valid reasons for absence from the regular exam must be submitted upon application to participate in make-up exams.

Students who have failed an exam may apply for a new exam held late in the same semester or early the next.

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
Master
Teaching
Examination
Every autumn
Teaching language
English