The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls was one of the most dramatic archaeological finds of the twentieth century.  Since their discovery in 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls have been the subject of intense study and debate, and have profoundly influenced the way in which we understand the ancient Jewish world, as well as the origins of Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism. In this class, we will examine a number of the Dead Sea Scrolls, attempting to understand them within their original historical contexts, as well as their significance for later Jewish and Christian traditions.  All readings are in English.  (Credit not given for both this course and 01:563:340.)