Unit information: The Scriptures and the Scrolls in 2011/12

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Unit name The Scriptures and the Scrolls
Unit code THRS20092
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Campbell
Open unit status Open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

After looking at the general nature of the Dead Sea Scrolls, this unit will focus on the state and status of the Jewish scriptures in the late Second Temple period of Judaism (circa 250 BCE - 70 CE), both within the Qumran community and elsewhere. It will also consider the related issue of the interpretation of those scriptures in the so-called sectarian Dead Sea Scrolls against the background of roughly contemporary exegetical literature (e.g. Philo, New Testament). Each week the tutor will give a one-hour lecture on a relevant key theme (e.g. whether there was a scriptural 'canon' in this period), while a second hour will be a seminar in which students discuss specific aspects of that theme in small groups and then report to the whole class in the final fifteen minutes. All ancient sources will be used in English translation.

This unit aims to provide the means to understand critically:

(1) the overall nature of the Dead Sea Scrolls;

(2) the significance of the scriptural manuscripts among the Scrolls;

(3) the variety of scriptural interpretation found among the so-called sectarian Scrolls.

It also aims to:

(4) provide appropriate opportunities to develop general skills in critical thinking and in written and oral communication.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students will be expected to have gained a critical understanding of:

(1) the overall nature of the Dead Sea Scrolls;

(2) the significance of the scriptural manuscripts among the Scrolls;

(3) the variety of scriptural interpretation found among the so-called sectarian Scrolls.

They will also be expected to have acquired:

(4) general skills in critical thinking and in written and oral communication appropriate to level I.

Teaching Information

1 Lecture and 1 seminar per week. The tutor will give a one-hour lecture on a relevant theme and this will be followed up by a one-hour seminar in which students discuss an aspect or aspects of that theme in small groups and then report back to the class in the final fifteen minutes.

Assessment Information

  • Summative: The unit will be assessed by one two-hour unseen examination
  • Formative: Students will also be assessed formatively towards the end of the unit by a class test (e.g. unseen multiple choice test).

Reading and References

  • J.G. Campbell, Deciphering the Dead Sea Scrolls (2002);
  • J.G. Campbell, The Exegetical Texts (2004);
  • L.H. Schiffman & J.C. VanderKam (eds), Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls (vols 1-2; 2000);
  • E. Tov, Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible (2nd ed; 2002);
  • J.C. VanderKam, The Dead Sea Scrolls Today (1994);
  • G. Vermes, The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English (1997)

Related links