Applied hermeneutics

The Applied Hermeneutics course looks at the history of hermeneutics, considering especially those achievements that still have a relevance today in the process of textual interpretation and in the preaching practice. During this course, independently from a given era or philosopher, we will present not only the rules and methods that aid the textual comprehension but primarily those epoch-marking considerations (philosophical or literary-theoretical) that have contributed in a decisive way to grasping the meaning of different aspects of the text.

Competences

Specific competences

The attendee practices the reading of some difficult philosophical-conceptual writings, learns de most important hermeneutical expressions, uses in a correct way de basic hermeneutical concepts, discovers different approaches, the possibilities that lie in them and is able to decide which are those principles and practical steps that aid him in a positive way in his writing research and hermeneutical activity, without losing its Christian and ecclesiastical nature.

General competences

The attendee is able to interpret and translate in a given hermeneutical situation a biblical and theological text.

Course structure

# Title
1 Hermeneutics: Understanding and Interpretation Theory. Basic Notions and Problems
2 First Orientation: Short History of the Hermeneutics
3 Hermeneutics in the Early Church: Typology and Allegoresis
4 Augustin: The Universality of the Inner Logos
5 Principles of Biblical Interpretation in the Age of Reformation. Basic Differences of Biblical Interpretation Between Protestants and Catholics
6 Schleiermacher: The Role of „Divinatio” in the Art of Understanding
7 Droysen and Dilthy: The Problem of Historicism and the Attempts to Overcome it
8 Existential Hermeneutics: Heidegger and Bultmann
9 Gadamer: Tradition and Application in the Hermeneutical Process
10 Betti, Habermas, Derrida
11 The Problem of the Christian Canon
12 Christian Interpretation of the Old Testament
13 Contextuality and Hermeneutics
14 The Authority of the Scripture

Total estimated time

Classroom study Course Seminar Practice
2 hours/week 1 1 0
28 hours/semester 14 14 0
Individual study Hours/sem
Total estimated time 121
Studying course notes and bibliography 40
Further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field 30
Preparing essays, papers, or documentation 20
Personal tutoring 3
Total individual study 93

Examination

The attendee studies for each class the assigned fragment and the designated literature. In the first part of the class the studied material will be systematized, processed in an interactive way, which will offer the opportunity to put in practice the learned information. The active, relevant and constructive participation during classes will be a part of the final grade. The attendee will demonstrate his knowledge and acquired skills in a written exam.

Bibliography

Book