Last Meeting

Eighth Meeting of the IOQS in München, August 4-7, 2013
The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Study of the Humanities: Method, Theory, Meaning

For the special topic of the 8th meeting of the IOQS, we invite papers on any topic relating to the Dead Sea Scrolls that explicitly address, or reflect upon, issues of methodology and theory, whether classical, modern, or post-modern.

In the area of classical methods this may involve how methods that are used in biblical scholarship, such as textual criticism and its objectives, or redaction and recension criticism have to be rethought because of the scrolls. Or, the other way round, how the more recent development of those methods in biblical and literary scholarship may affect scrolls studies.

Concerning new methods, this may involve the application of literary and linguistic methods, e.g., modern genre theory, semantics, or metaphor study, to the scrolls. Or, for example, the use of social sciences theories and approaches. Other approaches that gradually are being applied to scrolls studies are cognitive science, performance theory and ritual studies. In addition, post-modern approaches may include gender, post-colonialism, or masculinist studies.

At the background lies the question how the studies of the humanities may contribute to the study of the scrolls, and how scrolls studies participate in the modern study of the humanities.

For all papers on the topic we expect more than a discussion of method or theory, but that they move beyond theory to offer readings of particular texts.

Following the tradition of former IOQS meetings, proposals can be submitted by all scholars, as well as advanced students, who are working on the topic. Papers that are directly related to the topic of the meeting are eligible for publication in a corresponding volume of the STDJ series. In addition, those working on other topics in the field of Qumran studies are encouraged as well to submit papers on their own particular research.

Paper Proposals

Anyone interested in participating and presenting a paper should submit a proposal containing one’s name, name of academic institution, title of the proposed paper, and an abstract of no more than 250 words, which includes explicit mention of the texts that will be discussed. Proposals should be submitted by email before February 15, 2013 to the secretary of the IOQS, Prof. Dr. Eibert Tigchelaar, eibert.tigchelaar theo.kuleuven.be