Short course
Biblical Studies – An Introduction: The Bible, Its Content and Theology
Course status:
Applications being accepted
Dates and time:
18/01/2027 - 22/03/202717:00 - 19:00
Study format:
In-person weekly
Fees:
£315.00
The module explores the Old and New Testament together with the major elements contained in their narratives, and their main theological themes. It will proceed by focusing on the background of the Bible, by overviewing its books and describing their cultural, literary and religious contexts. Then, the course will evaluate the theological interpretations of these texts against this cultural background.
It will begin with an exploration of the Old Testament by focusing on the structure of the Hebrew Bible with its several forms of literature. The module will follow with a second part dedicated to the New Testament. After an introductory session, the major sections will be presented, considering main characters, theological themes, critical-historical issues, biblical-theological views, etc. The course will analyse the theological issues of the Bible and their relevance in moulding Christianity.
Book this course
Book your place online using the button below.
Courses starts Monday 18 January 2027
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Mondays, 5.00-7.00pm.
Week 1: The Hebrew Bible: Introduction and Language
Week 2: The Pentateuch
Week 3: The Historical Books
Week 4: The Poetical and Wisdom Books
Week 5: The Prophets and the prophecies
Week 6: The New Testament: Content, Exegesis, and Greek
Week 7: The Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles
Week 8: Pauline Letters
Week 9: The other New Testament Writings
Week 10: The Revelation
Course aims
This course aims to enable participants to develop a critical and reflective understanding of the Old and New Testaments and to explore their literary, historical, cultural, religious and theological contexts.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will have been given the opportunity to:
- develop an understanding of the key narratives, themes, characters and composition of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament within their historical settings
- explore the cultural, religious and theological contexts of the biblical texts and consider their significance for interpretation
- examine the major ideas, literary forms and genres found within the Bible and engage critically with their interpretation and meaning
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be expected to:
- acquire knowledge of the formation, composition, content of the Bible, and a precise identification of the major themes of the text;
- demonstrate ability to analyse and interpret the biblical text;
- display critical thinking skills.
Level and demands
No prior knowledge is required.
The Department’s Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
Teaching methods
This is a programme of interactive classes fully tutor-led, based on in-Oxford teaching.
These classes allow students to meet and maximise interaction and enhance fluency in a friendly, supportive environment. Classes will take place once a week for ten weeks and will consist of lectures, biblical analysis, case studies and group activities/workshops with ample scope for questions and discussion. Students are recommended to obtain a Bible (NRSV or other available versions) to bring to each session. Reading material will be provided.
Assessment methods
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.
Assessment
You will be set various pieces of work for the course. The first 500 words are due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed pieces of work totalling 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Professor Stefano Salemi
Professor Stefano Salemi is a scholar of biblical studies, languages, and theology. He possesses the rare expertise of someone with three doctorates in Theology and Biblical Studies (PhD in New Testament and Early Christianity, FTP; PhD in Hebrew Bible, KCL; DPhil in Systematic-Historical Theology, Oxford), as well as degrees in Music (“Vivaldi” Conservatory, IT). He has also held or continues to hold research and/or teaching posts at various universities, including Harvard, Yale, Oxford, King’s College London, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, among others. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) and has held several academic leadership roles at various institutions. He teaches and conducts research in the fields of biblical exegesis, hermeneutics, Hebrew and Greek languages and semantics, biblical and systematic-historical theology, pedagogy, reception history, the arts and theology, and intertextual studies. His publications include numerous articles and chapters for Brill, De Gruyter, Routledge, T&T Clark, Mohr Siebeck, and many more, and four books on Christ’s death in John (2014, 2025), Hebrew Semantics and Ezekiel (2024) and on the Christology of the Cross (2025).
Academic credit
Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)
Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.
Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.
Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.
Digital certificate of completion
Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee (with no assessment) | £315.00 |
| Assessment and Accreditation fee | £60.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Library facilities
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries, for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are also welcome to use the Library for reference.
- More information about the Library can be found on the Bodleian Libraries website.
- This guide for Weekly Class students also provides further information.
Preparatory reading
- A Survey of Old Testament Introduction / Archer, Jr., Gleason
- Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey / Arnold, Bill T. and Bryan E. Beyer
- An Introduction to the New Testament / D.A. Carson and Doug Moo
- An Introduction to the Old Testament / Longman, T. III & RB Dillard
- Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey / Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough
Module code: O26P429THW
How to enrol
Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page.
How to register for accreditation and assessment
To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.
If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.