Women and Gender in the New Testament World

The aim of this course is to examine the representation of women and gender in the New Testament and other ancient Jewish, Greco-Roman, and Christian texts. The course will involve analysis of historical texts and introduce students to the methodological challenges involved in studying ancient sources on women and gender. Students will be introduced to scholarly debates about the extent to which we are able to reconstruct the lives and experiences of women in the ancient world, and will explore recent work on the construction of masculinity in ancient texts. This course will introduce undergraduate students to one of the major areas of scholarly research and debate in New Testament scholarship, the representation of women and gender in the New Testament and other ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman texts. The course will involve analysis of primary texts in translation as well as critical reflection on the methodological challenges involved in studying ancient sources on women and gender. Students will also be introduced to relevant debates in New Testament scholarship, especially debates about the extent to which we are able to reconstruct the lives and experiences of women in the ancient world. The course will also consider the construction of masculinity in ancient texts. The secondary readings will represent a range of methodologies, including feminist, rhetorical, socio-historical, and theological approaches. Credit Level: 10 Year taken: Year 3 Undergraduate

Not running in 2025/26