Assessment

105 hours contact; 20 hours independent learning

Module Aims

This module will (1) introduce learners to the main events and characters narrated in the Gospel of Mark, (2) equip learners with basic tools of literary and narrative approaches to the Gospel of Mark, (3) enable learners to apply these tools to a diverse selection of Gospel texts, (4) empower learners to develop personal readings of Gospel texts and share those with others in teaching and liturgical preaching.

Indicative Syllabus

• Opening the Story of Mark’s Gospel (face to face)
• Mark in its Roman Imperial Context (face to face)
• Gathering the Household (online)
• Sowing the Gospel: Parables (online)
• Crossing Boundaries (online)
• Allegiance and Misunderstanding (online)
• Mark’s Strong Women (face to face)
• Jesus, Prayer, and God (face to face)
• Death and Annihilation (face to face)
• Mark Among the Gospels (online)

Learning Outcomes

• — L01 (Knowledge): Outline some of the main events and characters (God, Jesus, disciples) narrated in the Gospel of Mark.
• — L02 (Comprehension): Explain the significance of certain key passages in the Gospel and how these passages have been read in Christian tradition.
• — L03 (Application): Employ basic narrative approaches to selected passages in the Gospel of Mark.
• — L04 (Analysis): Apply through careful reading of selected Gospel passages some personal perspectives, especially in relation to pastoral situations, and formulate for sharing through teaching or liturgical preaching.
• — L05 (Synthesis): Provide a succinct summary of a few major theological themes in the Gospel of Mark (e.g., God, Christology, Discipleship, Death & Resurrection) and present the results clearly in writing,
• — L06 (Evaluation): Demonstrate some discernment regarding problematic issues of interpretation of the Gospel text in the light of pastoral ministry.

Bibliography

• — Rhoads, David M., Joanna Dewey, and Donald Michie. Mark as Story: An Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel. Third ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2012. [226.3066 RHO] [and Kindle]
• — Byrne, Brendan. A Costly Freedom: A Theological Reading of Mark's Gospel. Collegeville, Minn: Liturgical Press, 2008. [226.306 BYR]
• — Harrington, Wilfrid J. Reading Mark for the First Time. New York: Paulist Press, 2013. [226.306 HAR]
• — Struthers Malbon, Elizabeth. In the Company of Jesus. Characters in Mark’s Gospel. London; Leiden: Westminster John Knox, 2000. [226.3066 MAL]
• — Telford, William. The Theology of the Gospel of Mark. Cambridge, UK; New York: Cambridge University Press, 1999. [226.306 TEL] [and eBook]
• — Powell, Mark Allan. Introducing the New Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018, [225.61 POW] [and eBook]