Overview
An overview of the history and literature of Judaism from Alexander the Great to the fall of Masada (332 BCE - 74 CE), focusing particularly on the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The history and literature of early Judaism from Alexander the Great to the Bar Kochba Revolt (332 BCE-135 CE). It is an essential introduction to the background of the two major religious traditions to come out of this historical period, Judaism and Christianity.
About this paper
| Paper title | Judaism in the Time of Jesus |
|---|---|
| Subject | Biblical Studies |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026 (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,103.10 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 100-level points
- Restriction
- BIBS 318, RELS 211, RELS 311, RELX 211, RELX 311
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Eligibility
Any student with an interest in the origins of Judaism and Christianity. Some prior study of these traditions, e.g. BIBS112, BIBS121, or RELS101, would be an advantage.
- Contact
- james.harding@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on the Theology website: www.otago.ac.nz/theology
- Teaching staff
Lecturer: Reverend Assoc Prof James Harding
- Paper Structure
Lectures
- Teaching Arrangements
Distance with in-person assessment components
There will be one two-hour lecture per week. This paper will be taught simultaneously on-campus and by distance (via Zoom).
- Textbooks
Cohen, Shaye J. D. From the Maccabees to the Mishnah (3rd ed.; Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2014).
Levine, Amy-Jill, and Marc Zvi Brettler, eds. The Jewish Annotated New Testament. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017.
- Course outline
- View the course outline for BIBS 218
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
By the end of this paper, students will have:
- Become familiar with the history and literature of early Judaism from the sixth century BCE to the second century CE
- Gained a broad understanding of the Jewish context in which Jesus lived and in which early Christianity emerged
- Acquired an basic understanding of the beliefs, practices, and institutions of early Judaism
- Gained a basic understanding of the origins and development of anti-Jewish prejudice in the ancient Mediterranean world
- Assessment details
- Two x 1,500 word essays (20% each)
- One x three-hour examination (60%)
Overview
An overview of the history and literature of Judaism from Alexander the Great to the fall of Masada (332 BCE - 74 CE), focusing particularly on the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The history and literature of early Judaism from Alexander the Great to the Bar Kochba Revolt (332 BCE - 135 CE). It is an essential introduction to the background of the two major religious traditions to come out of this historical period, Judaism and Christianity.
About this paper
| Paper title | Judaism in the Time of Jesus |
|---|---|
| Subject | Biblical Studies |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2027 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 36 100-level points
- Restriction
- BIBS 318, RELS 211, RELS 311, RELX 211, RELX 311
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music, Theology
- Eligibility
Any student with an interest in the origins of Judaism and Christianity. Some prior study of these traditions, e.g. BIBS 112, BIBS 121, or RELS 101, would be an advantage.
- Contact
- james.harding@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
View more information on the Theology website.
- Teaching staff
Lecturer: Associate Professor James Harding
- Teaching Arrangements
There will be one 2-hour lecture per week. This paper will be taught simultaneously on-campus and by distance (via Zoom).
- Textbooks
Cohen, S. J. D. (2014). From the Maccabees to the Mishnah (3rd ed.). Westminster John Knox Press.
Levine, A.-J., & Brettler, M. Z. (Eds). (2017). The Jewish Annotated New Testament (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
By the end of this paper, students will have:
- Become familiar with the history and literature of early Judaism from the sixth century BCE to the second century CE
- Gained a broad understanding of the Jewish context in which Jesus lived and in which early Christianity emerged
- Acquired a basic understanding of the beliefs, practices and institutions of early Judaism
- Gained a basic understanding of the origins and development of anti-Jewish prejudice in the ancient Mediterranean world
- Assessment details
- Two 1,500-word essays (20% each)
- One three-hour examination (60%)