The course deals with the complex interrelationships between texts, traditions, and interpretations in the field of biblicalstudies. The topics addressed in the course range from issues related to textual criticism (what texts exist, how were they used, and how were they published?), to topics related totheir transmission and translation, as well as the establishment of interpretative traditions to questions related to philosophical and theological hermeneutics (what is the role of reading communities, how 'objective' is the interpretation of a text, etc.). By discussing these various aspects of biblical interpretationin the context of one course, an interdisciplinary view of biblical interpretation can be achieved that is otherwise hardlypossible. The professors in Biblical Studies of VU University Amsterdam combine their expertise to create this unique course. The setting of Amsterdam and VU gives an extra impetus to the questions at stake in the course: while VU University has strong ties with Christian theology, the postmodern and postsecular setting of Amsterdam, and the broad academic setting in which the Facultyof Theology of VU University is located provides a context that invites exploring new questions and going beyond disciplinary and theological boundaries. Tradition and innovation meet in new and exciting ways.

Period
29-06-2014 - 11-07-2014 (2 weeks)

Target group
Students of Religious Studies, Theology, Divinity, Biblical Studies, Classics, Philosophy, History, Linguistics and Translation Studies.

Course aim
Having taken this course, a student will:- Have a broad understanding of the (hermeneutical) issues at stake in Biblical Studies when it comes to the interrelationshipbetween text, traditions, and interpretation.- Have an understanding of the challenges posed to biblical interpretation in the setting of VU University Amsterdam.- Be able to interrelate important aspects of biblical interpretation in a historically, hermeneutically, and theologically reflectedway.



Credits
3.0 ECTS creditsECTS is the standard European credit system, each ECTS credit is equivalent to 28 study hours. All courses are worth 3 ECTS. Because some education systems (such as the American universities) base their credits on contact hours, we have included the contact hours in the course description on our website.

Course fee
EUR 1200[Convert to USD]The tuition fee of this course is 1200,- and includes furnished accommodation and the orientation programme. If you select two consecutive courses and study with us for four weeks, you will receive a 10% discount on the second course fee.Some courses will include excursions. We will also organize trips and excursions as part of our social programme, which is a great way to get to know your fellow students and learn more about Amsterdam and the Netherlands. The social programme is not included in the tuition fee.

Course leader
Prof. Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte

VU University Amsterdam Study Abroad in Amsterdam
Address: De Boelelaan 1105 Amsterdam
Postal code: 1081 HV
City: Amsterdam
Country: Netherlands
Website: http://www.studyabroadinamsterdam.nl/en/summerschool/index.asp
E-mail: amsterdamsummerschool@vu.nl
Phone: +31 20 5986506