Offerta accademica

This programme, offered in collaboration with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, was originally designed primarily to provide students with an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Biblical Hebrew. Admission to the programme required students to have already completed the qualifying examinations. The programme ran from July to January, although students could also enrol only for the October–January period, since the summer session was devoted mainly to the study of Modern Hebrew as a foundation for the study of Biblical Hebrew. Students participating in the programme received credits for the following courses in the Licentiate curriculum: Hebrew A–B, Biblical Archaeology and Geography, History of the Old and New Testaments, a seminar without a written paper, and, for those who had not already completed it, Greek A. The language of instruction was English.

Beginning in 2023, a new approach was introduced, moving beyond the model of rigid and narrowly defined programmes and instead offering a broader range of academic options, with greater flexibility and adapted to students’ different levels of formation. The new approach also makes greater use of the partner institutions based in Jerusalem. From the 2026/2027 academic year onward, this period will be reserved for advanced students who have completed Hebrew A–B and Greek A–B. The programme is arranged on an individual basis in consultation with the academic coordinator in Jerusalem and is subject to the approval of the Dean, taking into account each student’s specific academic and formative needs.

Il corso intende esplorare i quattro racconti della Passione dei Vangeli canonici, considerando le prospettive teologiche di ciascun evangelista e le caratteristiche proprie di ciascun racconto, tenendo presenti le questioni principali del dialogo ebraico-cristiano. Si partirà dalla questione della formazione dei racconti della Passione per poi analizzare esegeticamente testi scelti di ciascun racconto, dal punto di vista della loro formazione e del loro rapporto con la storia e la geografia di Gerusalemme.

Fa parte del programma residenziale sull’ebraismo e sulle relazioni ebraico-cristiane, maggio 2027.

Archaeology and Geography in the Holy Land
ECTS: 3

Language: Italian

Description

This intensive course offers an introduction to the archaeology and geography of the Holy Land, addressing a number of fundamental topics for understanding the world of the Old and New Testaments. It explores how archaeology, history, and geography can contribute to a critical reading of the biblical texts.

Objectives

The aim of the course is to help students approach key issues critically and to provide them with the basic tools needed to assess more effectively the contribution of archaeology and geography to the interpretation of the Bible.

Course Format

The course consists of a series of introductory lectures on various topics related to the history of the Old and New Testaments. In addition, a number of field visits are an integral part of the course:

• Visits to sites in Jerusalem: the Holy Sepulchre, the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, and the City of David.
• Five study trips from Jerusalem:
• 1. Bethlehem and ‘Ain Karem;
  2. the Dead Sea: Masada, Qumran, and Jericho;
  3. the Shephelah: Beit Guvrin, Ashkelon, and Lachish;
  4. Samaria: Shechem/Tell Balata, Sebasteh/Samaria, and Mount Gerizim;
  5. the Negev: Beersheba, Arad, and Mamshit.
• A four-day study trip in Galilee:
• 1. Qasr al-Yahud, Beth Shean, Beth Alpha, and Nazareth;
  2. Tabgha, Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Chorazin;
  3. Hazor, Caesarea Philippi, and Dan;
  4. Megiddo, Caesarea Maritima, and Emmaus Nicopolis.

Required Reading

BRIFFA, J. M., Archaeologia et Geographia Biblica. Unpublished course materials (Jerusalem–Rome: Pontifical Biblical Institute, 2025).

Further Reading

FINKELSTEIN, I. – SILBERMAN, N., The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts (Simon and Schuster, 2002) [available in several languages].

MURPHY-O’CONNOR, J., The Holy Land: An Archaeological Guide (Oxford University Press, 2014) [also available in French and English].

CHARLESWORTH, J. H. (ed.), Jesus and Archaeology (Grand Rapids, 2006).

FINKELSTEIN, I. – MAZAR, A., The Quest for the Historical Israel: Debating Archaeology and the History of Early Israel (Atlanta, 2007).

Assessment

There will be an oral examination at the end of the course.

Option to Take the Course for Double Credit

(in conjunction with History of the Old/New Testament)

This September course in the Holy Land may be taken for a total of 6 ECTS. In addition to the 3 ECTS awarded for the Archaeology and Geography course, students may earn an additional 3 ECTS applicable to either the History of the Old Testament or the History of the New Testament, as provided for in the curriculum for the Licentiate.

Students who choose this option will be assigned additional readings, to be discussed in two seminar sessions during the following first semester, as well as two written assignments:

• a review of one of the assigned chapters (40%);
• a short written paper of approximately 1,500–2,000 words, on a topic agreed upon with the instructor (60%).

La Fondazione Comunità di Connessioni, in collaborazione con il Pontificio Istituto Biblico di Gerusalemme, propone un corso di formazione residenziale di una settimana per persone impegnate in Italia in attività sociali e politiche.

Il corso è concepito come un’esperienza immersiva, che permette ai partecipanti non solo di seguire lezioni e dibattiti, ma anche di condividere una vita comune e di confrontarsi personalmente con le realtà sociali, culturali, religiose e politiche di Gerusalemme.

Gerusalemme: luogo di incontro e di fraternità

Il tema centrale del corso è la città di Gerusalemme, luogo unico in cui le tre religioni monoteistiche si incontrano e convivono, ma anche città segnata da profonde divisioni e conflitti.

Il corso intende esplorare come la fraternità possa essere coltivata proprio là dove il conflitto ha messo radici. Attraverso lo studio, il dialogo, la preghiera, il silenzio e l’incontro diretto con le persone e le comunità della regione, i partecipanti saranno invitati a riflettere sul significato e sulla pratica della fraternità politica.

Il programma, attualmente in fase di elaborazione, unirà diverse forme di apprendimento e di esperienza: lezioni e momenti di confronto, visite ai luoghi santi, incontri con organizzazioni e comunità locali, momenti di spiritualità e di silenzio e tempo per la riflessione personale.

Programma giornaliero

Mattina

• Lettura di un Salmo
• Introduzione al tema del giorno
• Visita guidata a un luogo significativo, seguita dalla lettura di un brano biblico e da un tempo di meditazione

Pomeriggio

• Lezione
• Discussione e dialogo in gruppo
• Tempo libero

Sera

• Revisione e riflessione sulla giornata

Visite fuori Gerusalemme

Il programma comprenderà anche due visite fuori Gerusalemme:

• Betlemme

Visita a un villaggio beduino