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Assessment

Master of Studies (MSt) in Theology: Old Testament

Assessment will consist of:

• A three-hour paper on prescribed Old Testament Texts in Hebrew. The prescribed texts for the examination will be published by the Board of the Faculty of Theology before the end of Michaelmas Term.
• Two essays of not more than 5,000 words on topics approved by the Theology Graduate Studies Committee.
• A dissertation of not more than 15,000 words on a topic approved by the Theology Graduate Studies Committee. For candidates intending to proceed to doctoral study, the topic of the thesis should be such as to provide a foundation for future research.
• A viva voce (oral) examination.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Theology: Old Testament

Assessment will consist of:

• A written examination and/or submitted essays, as described below.
• A thesis of not more than 20,000 words.
• A viva voce (oral) examination.

Candidates will be required to offer papers (i), (ii) and (iii), and either paper (iv) or paper (v).

Papers (iii) and (iv) are assessed by a final examination. Any other paper may be assessed either by a final examination or by three short essays (up to 5,000 words each), except that one such paper must be examined either by three short essays (up to 5,000 words each) or by a long essay (10,000-15,000 words). Titles must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee not later than sixth week in the candidate's first year of study.

(i) The Literature of the Old Testament and the Apocrypha in its Historical Setting

Either (a) a general paper comprising the following two sections:

(1) passages for comment from the Old Testament and Apocrypha in English;

(2) literary and historical questions; Archaeology and Old Testament study; the canon, text and versions of the Old Testament.

Candidates will be required to answer Section 1 and at least two and not more than three questions from Section 2.

Or (b) a paper on an area for special study approved by the Board of the Faculty of Theology within the scope of the subject. The choice of area must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Assistant in Theology, Humanities Division, 37A St Giles’, for approval by the Board at its first meeting in the Trinity Term preceding the academic year in which the candidate is to be examined.

(ii) Old Testament Theology

This paper includes questions on such topics as the nature and method of Old Testament theology; the theological ideas of the Old Testament (e.g. ideas of God, creation, election, covenant, sacrifice, atonement, life after death, etc.); Israelite religion and the religions of the Ancient Near East; the relation between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Candidates will be required to answer three and not more than four questions.

(iii) Prescribed Hebrew Texts

This paper includes passages for translation with textual and exegetical comments from each of the following: 2 Samuel 9-20; Isaiah 40-55; Amos; Ecclesiastes. Candidates will be required to attempt four passages.

(iv) Either: (a) Unseen passages for translation from the Hebrew text of the Old Testament;

or (b) the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament (Daniel 2.4-7.28; Ezra 4.8-6.18 and 7.12-26);

or (c) the Septuagint (Genesis 2–4; Isaiah 42, 52–53; Psalms 2, 21 (MT 22), 109 (MT 110), Proverbs 1, 8, 9). Candidates will be expected to translate and comment on four passages, one from each of the groups of texts, and to answer one question of a general nature on the Septuagint, with reference to the set texts.

(v) The History and Principles of Biblical Study

This paper includes questions on such topics as method in biblical study, the history of the interpretation of the Bible, both Jewish and Christian, the use and interpretation of the Bible today.