YSS 5307: Mark and Method

This course will introduce students to the study of the Gospel of Mark as well as the scholarly methods that are used to better understand the biblical texts in their historical, literary and social contexts. Following an introduction to the formation of the Gospels in early Christianity, special attention will be given to the individual chapters and key texts that will highlight both the theological perspective of Mark as well as the different methods that contribute to our study of the Gospels. Throughout the course we will be looking at a variety of critical methods of biblical scholarship of historical, literary, theological, social and pastoral interest. This course is a Roman Catholic approach to the Scriptures in light of the Second Vatican Council’s Dei Verbum, and the subsequent document, The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church, published in Rome by The Pontifical Biblical Commission.