Unit rationale, description and aim
The Bible is foundational to the faith, life, and mission of the Catholic Church and remains a primary source for theological reflection, prayer, teaching, and formation. For educators and professionals working in Catholic contexts, an informed understanding of Scripture is essential for engaging effectively with Catholic identity, Religious Education, faith formation, and the evangelising mission of the Church.
As a foundational biblical studies unit, this unit introduces students to the nature, origins, and interpretation of Scripture and provides a basis for further study in theology, ecclesiology, ethics, and Catholic education. Students examine the historical and cultural worlds of the Bible, its literary forms, and principles of Catholic biblical interpretation, and critically consider the relevance of Scripture for faith communities and contemporary professional practice.
The aim of this unit is to develop specialised knowledge of the nature, origins, interpretation and ecclesial significance of the Bible and enable students to critically evaluate, apply and communicate biblical insights within educational, pastoral and professional contexts.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Explain the nature and origins of the Bible and it...
Learning Outcome 01
Evaluate the implications of a critically informed...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply principles of Catholic biblical interpretat...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Topics will include:
- The Bible as literature and the “Word of God”
- An overview of the biblical canon
- Introduction to the key principles of biblical interpretation that are consistent with the Catholic tradition;
- The historical, geographical, social and cultural contexts of biblical literature
- Introduction to the Law, the Prophets and the Writings of the First Testament
- Introduction to the Gospels and other writings in the Second Testament
- Implications of the Bible for professional settings.
Assessment strategy and rationale
To successfully complete this unit, students need to complete and submit all assessment tasks and achieve an aggregate mark of at least 50/100.
A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributescapabilities consistent with University assessment requirements..
Assessment tasks are designed to progressively develop students' biblical knowledge, interpretive understanding, critical analysis, and professional application. Students first engage foundational concepts concerning the nature, origins, and interpretation of Scripture before evaluating approaches to biblical interpretation and applying these principles to contemporary educational, pastoral, and professional contexts. Together, the assessment tasks support achievement of the learning outcomes while developing the capacity to communicate and justify informed biblical interpretations consistent with the Catholic tradition.
Assessment Task 1 enables students to explain and evaluate key principles relating to the nature and interpretation of Scripture.
Assessment Task 2 requires students to apply and evaluate principles of Catholic biblical interpretation in relation to a selected biblical text.
Assessment Task 3 requires students to assess and communicate the relevance of Scripture within a contemporary educational, pastoral, or professional context.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1 A Presentation that seeks to arti...
Assessment 1
A Presentation that seeks to articulate some of the key principles of, and approaches to Catholic biblical Interpretation. The presentation could take various forms, such as an in-class presentation with Q&A, oral exam, or recorded document.
20%
Assessment 2 A Critical Analysis of a Biblical ...
Assessment 2
A Critical Analysis of a Biblical Text that applies the principles of biblical interpretation.
30%
Assessment 3 Research-based task requiring...
Assessment 3
Research-based task requiring students to apply and communicate the significance of Scripture in a contemporary educational, pastoral, or professional context.
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit adopts a constructivist and inquiry-based approach to learning that recognises students bring diverse educational, professional, cultural, and faith experiences to the study of Scripture. Learning activities are designed to support students in integrating new biblical knowledge with their existing understandings and applying this learning within contemporary contexts.
Students engage foundational content concerning the nature, origins, canon, historical contexts, and interpretation of Scripture through guided readings, multimedia resources, structured inquiry, and discussion. As students encounter different approaches to biblical interpretation, they evaluate perspectives, test assumptions, and develop increasingly sophisticated understandings of the Bible within the Catholic tradition.
Collaborative discussion, critical reflection, and applied learning activities provide opportunities for students to examine the relevance of Scripture for contemporary educational, pastoral, and community settings. Assessment tasks progressively support movement from knowledge acquisition to interpretation, evaluation, and contextual application, enabling students to develop informed judgement and communicate biblical insights effectively within diverse professional contexts.