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Biblical Archaeology is not offered as a major at undergraduate level, can only be taken at postgraduate level.
Honours:
Focus on Old Testament period:
HPHBA81, HRHBA85, HBA4802, HBA4803, HBA4804, HBA4806 and or CHS4801
| Biblical Archaeology of the Late Bronze Age, Iron Age and the Babylonian and Persian Periods - HBA4802 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the archaeological periods relevant to Old Testament history up to and including the Hellenistic period. The fact that these periods cover some of the most problematic eras in Biblical history, like the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelite settlement, the Early Monarchy and the period of the Philistines, the aim of the module is to make an in depth investigation of these periods from an archaeological perspective. The period covered stretches from approximately 1500 BCE to 200 BCE. |
| Applied Biblical Archaeology - HBA4803 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: To equip students with skills to apply the knowledge they gathered from Biblical Archaeology critically to popular literature, film and video productions, art works, stage performances, sermons, etc. based on biblical history and culture. The module further aims to sensitize students to become aware of how the modern media, film industry, journalists, artists, and clergy sometimes abuse and distort the history and cultural practices from the biblical period to serve their own agendas. Finally, the aim is to allow students to discover that knowledge gained from Biblical Archaeology is applicable and still valuable today. |
| Biblical Archaeology and Every Day Life in the Biblical World - HBA4804 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: To introduce students to everyday-life in Biblical times as informed by Biblical Archaeology. It is an attempt to present a picture of Israelite life experienced by ordinary families during the Iron Age, stretching from about 1250 to 586 BC. It aims to kindle students imagination and deepen their understanding of the chronological and cultural gaps that separate the world of the Bible from the present-day world we live in and the life style we are accustomed to. Awareness of this gap serves as a precautionary measure against reading the Bible in a literalist way as if it speaks a universal language for all times. Everyday life as informed by Biblical Archaeology in this context refers to archaeological finds that shed light on ancient Israel; living conditions regarding town life, home life, country life, industrial and military life, and civil and professional life. Pictorial images (iconography), created by means of seals and scarabs, as well as art objects like stone reliefs and monuments are most effective tools to assist our understanding of the general living conditions of ancient cultures. |
| An Orientation to Biblical Archaeology - HBA4806 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 24 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: To introduce those students who have not majored in Biblical Archaeology to the archaeology and cultural-historical background of the Old and New Testament worlds. Furthermore, students are presented with
archaeological terminologies, dating systems, excavation techniques and a variety interpretations of archaeological data needed for an in depth study of Biblical Archaeology. |
| Research Proposal in Biblical Archaeology - HPHBA81 |
| Honours |
Year module |
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 12 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: To expose students to research done in the field of Biblical Archaeology since the end of the nineteenth century. Students will be introduced to various approaches to the interpretations of archaeological
data, its relation to the text of the Hebrew Bible and the relevance thereof for post-modern Biblical research. Students will further (1) investigate different research methodologies (2) develop their own research methodology (3) design techniques to identify viable research topics for investigation and (4) improve their ability to do independent research in the field of Biblical Archaeology. The module further aims to enable students to understand the different 'schools' of scholars doing research in Biblical Archaeology and to adjudicate them critically. |
| Research Report in Biblical Archaeology - HRHBA85 |
| Honours |
|
NQF level: 8 |
Credits: 36 |
| Module presented in English |
Module presented online |
| Purpose: To assist and guide students to: 1. formulate a workable research proposal for a small research report related to the themes of the three honours modules (content modules) they completed; 2. design a structure for the research essay, which will focus on a clearly demarcated scope, appropriate methodology and literary review; 3. present, under the guidance of a supervisor, a written research essay that will prepare the student fully to embark with confidence on further research reports in this field. |