DESCRIPTION:

The course will offer a survey of the Dead Sea Scrolls, including the story of their discovery, the archeological evidence from the site of Qumran, the types of texts found in the scrolls, their teachings, and the community with which they were associated. With this information in mind, the attention will turn to the contributions the scrolls make to our understanding of the Old and New Testaments.

After completing the course, students should have acquired:

1. a greater knowledge about the time between the Testaments;

2. more information about the development of an Old Testament canon;

3. a fuller understanding of the Jewish environment in which Christianity arose;

4. an ability to relate a great archeological discovery to the text of Scripture.

The class will meet daily for two weeks for four hours of class sessions.

VanderKam, James and Peter Flint. The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls. HarperSanFrancisco, 2002 (hardback).

Vermes, Geza. The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English. New York/London: Penguin, 1997 (paperback).

In class we will discuss other works on the scrolls themselves and the scrolls in connection with the Bible.

Prior to the first class, students should, if possible, read sections I and II of The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

In addition to the regular reading assignments, there will be

1. A mid-term exam (July 12).

2. A final exam (July 16).

3. During the course there will be shorter written assignments that involve studying particular scroll texts (and possibly articles regarding them) and reporting to the class about them.

None.

Elective.

Yes.