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'Deviant Bodies': Disability Studies and the New Testament

Module description

This module will introduce you to the themes and methodologies of disability studies through close readings of specific New Testament texts. You will consider the contribution of these readings to the historical understanding of those perceived as ‘disabled’ to incorporate sensory, physical and mental impairments.  This will further inform your thinking in relation to the potential for freeing disabled communities from current attitudes to disability.  The module has no formal pre-requisites or co-requisites and is open to all students. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will

• introduce and employ Disability Studies perspectives in close readings of specific New Testament texts
• critically assess the contribution of such readings to both historical understanding of those perceived as ‘disabled’ within biblical literature and the potential liberation offered by such perspectives for those perceived as ‘disabled’ communities today.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Present an informed and critical discussion of a selected New Testament text in light of Disability Studies literature
• 2. Present an informed and critical discussion of the treatment of the ill and disabled in contemporary biblical scholarship
• 3. Present an informed and critical discussion of how contemporary 'disabled' communities engage with the Bible

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Demonstrate knowledge of, and critical reflection on, contrasting scholarly, ideological and historical perspectives
• 5. Show the ability to make careful use of core methods of Disability Studies in biblical interpretation

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Communicate clearly and imaginatively in both written and oral form
• 7. Construct logical and lucid arguments using appropriate methods
• 8. Participate appropriately within group work
• 9. Generously engage with methods and people who represent opinions and viewpoints different from your own

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Introducing Disability
• Portraying the Disabled in Literature
• Sense and Stigma: Sensory Impairment in New Testament Worlds
• Broken Bodies: Physical Impairment in New Testament Worlds
• Moonstruck and Demon-Possessed: mental impairment in New Testament Worlds
• The Bible and ‘the Disabled’ Today & The Future(s) of Disability Studies and the New Testament

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Anderson, Robert C., ‘Faith in Access: Bridging Conversations between Religion and Disability’ Disability Studies Quarterly Summer 2006, Volume 26, No. 3. Available online at: https://dsq-sds.org/article/view/719/896
• Lawrence, L. J., Sense and Stigma in the Gospels: Depictions of Sensory-Disabled Characters (OUP, 2013). Available online at: http://encore.exeter.ac.uk/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3521144
• Olyan, Saul, Disability in the Hebrew Bible (CUP, 2009). Available online at: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/disability-in-the-hebrew-bible/DEF59689FE3817505B58E87D932A5FAC
• Solevag, A. R., Negotiating the Disabled Body: Representations of Disability in Early Christian Texts (SBL 2018). Available online at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.cdb2hnt1r

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=3592