| Unit name | The Dead Sea Scrolls and Scripture |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRSM0132 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lindsey Davidson |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
| This unit treats the world of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of nearly 900 Jewish manuscripts discovered in eleven caves near Qumran in 1947 by Bedouin shepherds. The Scrolls are over 2000 years old, with texts produced across late Second Temple Judaism (c. 250 BCE-70 CE). Topics that students will explore include the texts, archaeology, debates, and issues surrounding the Dead Sea Scrolls in depth. Students will become familiar with many of the Dead Sea Scrolls as primary sources and related early Jewish literature. The unit will give context and colour to the fascinating historical and literary world of the Dead Sea Scrolls. All ancient sources will be read in English translation. This unit aims to provide an in-depth critical understanding of: (1) the overall nature of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the variety of early Jewish literature; (2) the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls for the study of early Judaism and Christianity; (3) different critical perspectives in modern scholarship on the Dead Sea Scrolls They will also be expected to have acquired: (4) appropriate skills in critical thinking, textual interpretation, historical analysis, and argumentation in written and oral communication, using evidence from primary texts and secondary sources. |
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the overall nature of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the variety of early Jewish literature;
2. apply an understanding of critical and theoretical reading to specific issues of the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls for the study of early Judaism and Christianity;
3. discriminate between different critical perspectives in modern scholarship on the Dead Sea Scrolls
4. demonstrate appropriate skills in critical thinking, textual interpretation, historical analysis, and argumentation in written and oral communication, using evidence from primary texts and secondary sources.
2x 1-hour lectures per week
1x 1-hour seminar per week
One 5000 word essay [ILOs 1-4].
