All programmes > Literary, Textual and Historical Methods

Literary, Textual and Historical Methods (B-KUL-A07L2A)

4 ECTSEnglish39 Second termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Leemans Johan (coordinator) |  Leemans Johan |  Van Hecke Pierre |  Pragt Marion (substitute)
Facultaire POC Theologie en Religiewetenschappen

Aims

1. Specialisation in a particular discipline with a view to the provision of a constructive contribution to the study of theology and religious studies;
2. Thorough acquaintance with the sources, problems and methods characteristic of one's own major and area of specialisation;
3. The ability to apply both the knowledge acquired as well as the methods relevant to one's particular discipline in a manner which contributes to the reflection of the faithful within the Church;
4. The ability to conduct independent theological research, as well as to pass on the acquired attitudes, methods and knowledge;
5. The ability to set up a theological project: the formulation of a relevant research issue and the development of a method of argumentation pertaining to the formulated problematic;
6. The ability to comprehensively present one's research results.

 

- Students are able to explain what is meant by literary, textual and historical research;
- Students are familiar with basic concepts, frameworks of the many (sub)disciplines involved and sensitive to nuances conveyed by how scholars or disciplines present themselves;
- Students are able to recognise and distinguish a large variety of methods used in the fields of biblical and Quranic studies and history of Church and theology, and they are able to apply these;
- Students are able to relate research method to research question and to combine several methods if the research question requires this;
- Students are able to distinguish typical features of the variety of scientific output in the fields of biblical and Quranic studies and history of Church and theology;
- Students are able to distinguish the research agenda and wider methodological framework of a publication;
- Students are able to collect and evaluate source material;
- Students are able to develop a constructive-critical attitude in their research towards the bible, the Quran and historical sources;
- Students acquire a firsthand experience by working with the tools of their discipline and learning how to connect them to the research questions they themselves want to pursue;

In sum: students strengthen their doute méthodique/methodical doubt.  

 

Previous knowledge

Bachelor in Theology and Religious Studies or a comparable degree/formation..

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

4 ects. Literary, Textual and Historical Methods (B-KUL-A07L2a)

4 ECTSEnglishFormat: Practical39 Second term
Leemans Johan |  Van Hecke Pierre |  Pragt Marion (substitute)
Facultaire POC Theologie en Religiewetenschappen

Content

  • General introduction in the discipline of historical and biblical research: object of research, goal of research, methodological perspectives, relationship between historical and philological approaches.
  • Introduction in the characteristics of textual transmission and textual criticism - text as the result of a process of writing and transmission.
  • Methods to interpret direct primary sources in relation to their contextual and material aspects: papyri, inscriptions, archival sources, manuscripts, … (information and exercises).
  • Literary approaches: methods of interpretation, of textual material and the variety thereof (information and exercises).
  • Overview of characteristics of various forms of scientific output: databases, text edition, commentary, monograph, journal article, survey article, dictionary article, contribution to a collective volume, article in conference proceedings, etc. …
  • Methods that are specific to the fields of biblical studies and to the history of Church and theology.
  • Heuristic of sources: source criticism/evaluation of sources; synthesis.
     

Course material

Study cost: 1-10 euros (The information about the study costs as stated here gives an indication and only represents the costs for purchasing new materials. There might be some electronic or second-hand copies available as well. You can use LIMO to check whether the textbook is available in the library. Any potential printing costs and optional course material are not included in this price.)

Toledo-supported assignments
Use of the library as a major tool
Use of specific databases
Use of internet tools
 

Format: more information

General Introductions to the methods and material (both ex cathedra and Q&A)
Exercises to be prepared as homework
Exercises (individual or in group) during the contact hours
Group discussions
Hands-on approach (adaptation to specific questions or needs of students)
 

 

Evaluation

Evaluation: Literary, Textual and Historical Methods (B-KUL-A27L2a)

Type : Continuous assessment without exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Paper/Project, Presentation, Participation during contact hours, Portfolio, Process evaluation
Learning material : None

Explanation


Continuous assessment on the basis of

  • intermediary written assignments
  • short oral presentations of the homework
  • quality of the interventions in the classroom

AND

  •  final paper

The first three items together account for 50% of the final grade, and the final paper for 50%.
 

Information about retaking exams

A new paper must be written and submitted. The grade for the class presentation and cooperation during the classes is retained.