| Unit name | Dead Sea Scrolls |
|---|---|
| Unit code | THRS30180 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Lindsey Davidson |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
This unit explores the world of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of nearly 900 Jewish manuscripts from eleven caves near Qumran, discovered in in 1947, and would be critical for any students interested in early Jewish and Christian studies, and who enjoy working with primary sources.
The Scrolls are over 2000 years old, with texts produced across late Second Temple Judaism (c.250 BCE-70 CE).
Topics include the texts, archaeology, debates, and issues surrounding the Dead Sea Scrolls. Students will become familiar with many of the Dead Sea Scrolls as primary sources and related early Jewish literature. This unit will aim to help uncover the overall nature of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the variety of early Jewish literature, the significance of the Scrolls for the study of early Judaism and Christianity, and different critical perspectives in modern scholarship on the Dead Sea Scrolls.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Specialist subject options are offered in the third year of the Religion and Theology programmes. It is standard practice for single honours students to take two specialist options in each of those years (one per TB), and for joint honours students to take two. Specialist subject options are available to students on Liberal Arts programmes and are also available to taught postgraduates (MA Religion). The portfolio of units available will change from year to year based on staff availability, but it will consistently represent a full range of research strengths across the English department, as well as demonstrating our commitment to supporting choice and providing increased optionality as students’ progress through their programme.
Your learning on this unit
An overview of content
The unit content will focus normally on three key themes/sections (such as the Scrolls and the origins and formation of Judaism and Christianity; textual transmission of the Hebrew Bible; and theological and methodological issues). These three themes will be exemplified in more depth by way of two main primary case studies, stable over the course of the unit, usually one biblical text and one major non-biblical or sectarian text. The key themes and two primary texts will build a solid foundation of deeper knowledge for tackling controversies, mysteries, theological issues, debates about origins, and other topics relating to the Scrolls and Qumran. The key themes and chosen sources may vary slightly from year to year but will be selected to be highly representative, in order to better guide students through major cornerstones of the field of study.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:
Classes will involve a combination of long- and short-form lectures, class discussion, investigative activities, and practical activities. Students will be expected to engage with readings and participate on a weekly basis. This will be further supported with drop-in sessions and self-directed exercises with tutor and peer feedback.
When assessment does not go to plan:
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. THRS30180).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
