AFRICANA APPROACHES TO BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION
An exploration of African and Black Diaspora interpretations of biblical literature (Hebrew and Greek Testaments). Includes a survey of Sub-Saharan Africans' roles in the Bible; studies the translation of the Bible in the 4th - 5th centuries CE in Axumite Ethiopia; follows the movement of biblical interpretation across the Middle Passage; explores the intellectual dimensions of Black Diaspora biblical interpretation in North America and the Caribbean. Discuss hermeneutics and reading strategies, the interplay of colonialist and post-colonialist dynamics of reading, and methods of reading scriptural texts.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: Sophomore standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Civics & Perspectives Ethnic St - Ethnic Studies Breadth - Literature Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2025 Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of ancient Near Eastern societies and cultures. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Examine, Analyze, and Interpret ancient texts in translation and material culture. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Compare and Critique ancient Greek, Roman, and/or Near Eastern societies and cultures to other societies and cultures. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Evaluate the reception of biblical texts in the modern period. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Articulate how the past has affected present day circumstances regarding race and racial inequities in the U.S. Audience: Undergraduate 6. Recognize and question cultural assumptions and knowledge claims as they relate to race and ethnicity. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Hone their close reading skills so as to be able to read literary, exhortatory, and scholarly texts with deeper attention to detail and sharper interpretive instincts. Audience: Undergraduate 8. Apply course concepts to their lives outside the classroom by respectfully participating in our multicultural society. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of ancient Near Eastern societies and cultures. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Examine, Analyze, and Interpret ancient texts in translation and material culture. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Compare and Critique ancient Greek, Roman, and/or Near Eastern societies and cultures to other societies and cultures. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Evaluate the reception of biblical texts in the modern period. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Articulate how the past has affected present day circumstances regarding race and racial inequities in the U.S. Audience: Undergraduate 6. Recognize and question cultural assumptions and knowledge claims as they relate to race and ethnicity. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Hone their close reading skills so as to be able to read literary, exhortatory, and scholarly texts with deeper attention to detail and sharper interpretive instincts. Audience: Undergraduate 8. Apply course concepts to their lives outside the classroom by respectfully participating in our multicultural society. Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027