Student views
Ultimately ideal
Matt Broughton is in his third year at Sheffield. He landed in the department almost by accident, when his A-levels went a little awry. But he has no cause for regret:
"Biblical Studies at Sheffield has been the perfect course for me: Its capacity to merge the ancient and modern by looking at one massively complex source - the Bible - throughout time, satisfies my desire to exercise both the historical and contemporary sides of my brain.
"The course combines numerous academic disciplines such as literary analysis, historical criticism, languages, archaeology, theology, media studies and classics. As a student without a clear idea what I wanted to do post-university, the wide range of skills biblical studies undergraduates are equipped with (through engagement with these different disciplines) creates a base from which anything is possible.
"I am not a history student with no knowledge of the twenty-first century, nor a film studies student who cannot engage with the past. Biblical Studies has equipped me with the skills to operate with sympathy for those of differing beliefs and ideas, within a huge variety of employment and social arenas. My degree has taught me both to accept and to question the presuppositions presented to me, as well as giving me the confidence to discern whether questioning or acceptance is appropriate at any given time.
"Ultimately, Biblical studies at Sheffield, has proven the ideal course for me. It is consistently interesting and engaging as it works through the issues surrounding this profoundly significant religious text."
Appreciating the honour
Philip Moore graduated from the department in 2008. Here's his account of life as a student of Biblical Studies:
"I immensely enjoyed the time I spent studying in the department. I found the environment extremely intimate and inviting with students enjoying a special close relationship with lecturers that served only to inspire us in our studies. It was a privilege to study under renowned scholars, engaged in such pioneering research. The unique programme itself gave me invaluable skills relating to critical and literary interpretation as well as stretching my abilities and very perceptions of the world through the assignments that were set.
"The mix of undergraduates is itself unique within the university. During my time at Sheffield I was heavily involved with Student Representation within the Halls, being a secretary in one of the Junior Common Room (JCR) Committees. In my role I brushed shoulders with many bright individuals studying many of the universities other award-winning subjects.
"However, none seemed to so deeply appreciate the honour of being a member of such a centre of excellence, as those within the Biblical Studies department. People from all races, religions and political leanings delight themselves in engaging with a text that has shaped the course of the world from an academic approach that not only led the way in studying the Bible's text, but also its context, historical impact and interpretation.
"The undergraduates themselves, as I am sure many of the current and former teaching staff would agree, contribute a great deal. The broad mix of students, each with their own unique perspectives and each with their own unique dissertation topics, stretch the work of the department, its scholars and the field itself in an invaluable way."
Not the most obvious option
As the only Department of Biblical Studies in the UK, Sheffield is sometimes overlooked by those seeking degrees in theology or religious studies. Ben Hinks explains why Sheffield turned out to fit the bill:
"When leaving college I knew I wanted to study something biblically related. Theology seemed like the most obvious option, if not the only. Then I came across Sheffield...
"With Biblical Studies, I realised I could focus more specifically on what I think of as 'practical issues.' By that, I mean things such as historical context, languages, and the Bible's interaction with culture and society including music and film.
"I had been seriously considering Theology at Cambridge, but I found that Sheffield was offering me a course that I would enjoy more and was more interesting.
"Biblical Studies hasn't failed to provide a wide range of topics - including both Old and New Testaments - most of which I have thoroughly enjoyed! It's shown me how much ideas influence the world, that they need to be listened to and critiqued appropriately. And it has given me the ability to do just that."
