Courses

This course is a study of the characteristics, uses, and function of papyrology and related manuscripts from antiquity to the invention of printing. Special attention is given to biblical manuscripts and insights gained for study of the biblical texts, including textual criticism, which forms an important component of the course.

Knowing

By the end of the course, participants should know about:

• How ancient documents and books were physically manufactured
• Ancient handwriting conventions and special conventions used in biblical manuscripts
• The major discoveries of ancient manuscripts
• The major figures in papyrology and textual criticism
• The extant materials for reconstructing the earliest forms of the biblical texts
• Various principles of textual criticism and the discussions surrounding them

Being

By the end of the course, participants should:

• Appreciate the value of knowing and being able to use ancient Greek manuscripts for study of the biblical text
• Appreciate the challenges faced by anyone attempting to reconstruct the earliest form of the biblical text
• Be sensitive to the range of issues and challenges faced by contemporary papyrological and text-critical studies

Doing

By the end of the course, participants should be able to:

• Edit an early manuscript
• Discuss the history and development of papyrology and textual criticism, and their importance
• Discuss the characteristics and dating of any particular manuscript
• Discuss the evidence for the originality of variant readings in the New Testament