Module overview
Apocalyptic texts are important because they represent an expression of political turmoil or social and cultural fears. They shed light on attitudes to historical events and to surrounding cultures at crucial periods in the development of world history. ‘The End of the World’ introduces you to the cultural and historical contexts of apocalyptic ideology up to Late Antiquity (Palestine under Greek and Roman rule up to the emergence of Islam). It explores how concepts of the end of time are used to present a response to historical events such as the Jewish War against Rome or the Arab conquests. This module examines the Jewish and Christian communities that produced apocalypses, the historical value of apocalypses in the Ancient World, and what they teach about intercultural relations in this period.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The latest research on the subjects of apocalyptic, the history of Late Antiquity and Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations.
- Key events and environments in the history of the Eastern Mediterranean up to Late Antiquity.
- Key primary sources that provide evidence for relations between Jews, Christians, Muslims and their neighbours, and what they show about attitudes to historical events.
- The relationships between Jews, Christians, Muslims and other societies up to Late Antiquity and what this contributes to knowledge of the Ancient World.
- The genre of apocalyptic.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Explain the significance of apocalypses for the history of the Eastern Mediterranean up to Late Antiquity, and for understanding of the relationship between groups of Jews, Christians and Muslims and the empires with which they interact.
- Interpret critically a variety of primary sources from the period up to Late Antiquity.
- Express familiarity with the content of apocalyptic writings and themes from the Ancient World.
- Evaluate critically the theoretical and methodological approaches used by scholars working on apocalyptic.
- Explain your own views on debates within the fields of apocalyptic and Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations up to Late Antiquity.
- Analyse the relationship between Jewish apocalyptic literature and Christian apocalyptic texts and motifs.
- Discuss the historical background of apocalyptic thought and literature up to Late Antiquity.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Organise and structure material to write confidently.
- Work independently on complex tasks.
- Display effective time management.
- Communicate a coherent and convincing argument in written formats.
Syllabus
Indicative list of topics:
- the nature and significance of the genre of apocalyptic sources
- the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Greeks
- the Jewish War against Rome
- the Byzantine-Persian wars and conquest of Jerusalem
- the emergence of Islam and the Arab conquests
- themes in apocalyptic primary sources
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include:
- Lectures introducing key topics
- Seminars to discuss primary sources and scholarship
- Individual essay tutorials
Learning methods include:
- Preparatory reading before each seminar
- Participation in seminar discussion
- Close analysis of diverse primary sources in seminars
- Independent reading of the sources provided and of related scholarly works
- Independent research of additional information and source materials
Lecture elements will provide you with general knowledge and understanding about chronology, sources and key concepts. This will be consolidated through readings and seminar discussions of primary and scholarly source material. Discussion in seminars will help you to develop your own ideas about a topic, to analyse a range of source material and to articulate a critical argument.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Lecture | 12 |
Seminar | 12 |
Independent Study | 276 |
Total study time | 300 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
M Himmelfarb (2010). The apocalypse: a brief history. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
M G Reddish (1990). Apocalyptic Literature: A Reader. Nashville: Abingdon.
J J Collins (2014). The Oxford Handbook of Apocalyptic Literature. Oxford: OUP.
E K Rosen (2008). Apocalyptic Transformation: Apocalypse and the Postmodern Imagination. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
J J Collins (1984). The Apocalyptic Imagination. New York: Crossroad.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Assessment StrategyAssessments designed to provide informal feedback:
- You will engage in small group exercises, focusing on specific formative tasks, which will be reviewed in class
- You will be encouraged to discuss preparation for your formal assessment with your tutor
- You will have the opportunity to seek individual advice on your work in progress from your tutor
- Guidance and advice in class on preparation, completion and presentation of assignments will be available to you
The formal assessments will promote skills of analysis and critical thinking. They will also reinforce organisational, planning and writing skills.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 50% |
Timed Assignment | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 50% |
Timed Assignment | 50% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Essay | 50% |
Timed Assignment | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External