A comparative exploration of the fundamental aspects of Near Eastern societies over a broad temporal and geographic scope. Primary sources will be used to analyze social structures, and institutions of the peoples of the ancient Near East including the Levant.
NES 615 Ancient Near Eastern Philosophy and Spirituality (0.50) SEM
Course ID: 013058
An examination of the world views and spirituality of various Near Eastern societies on the basis of their literary record. Documents such as prayers, incantations, rituals, and literature will be explored with a view to determining how peoples of various ancient Near Eastern societies felt about themselves, their environment, and each other.
NES 621 Temples and Sanctuaries in the Eastern Mediterranean World (0.50) SEM
Course ID: 013086
An investigation of cultic practices based on textual sources and archaeological evidence, along with various theoretical approaches to cult in context. Individual research will evaluate the resources available and design models to put various cults in their full symbolic, architectural, and geographical contexts as one component of the diverse cultures of the ancient Levant and eastern Mediterranean world.
NES 625 Myth and Burial Customs in the Ancient Near East (0.50) SEM
Course ID: 013087
A study of the myths of the Underworld expressing various views of the Afterlife is put in dialogue with the archaelogical evidence of actual burial customs among different cultural and ethnic groups in the Near East and the broader Mediterranean world.
NES 631 Old Babylonian Royal Inscriptions (0.50) SEM
Course ID: 013088
An introduction to Old Babylonian language, including the development of cuneiform, study of cuneiform script and Old Babylonian grammar, and the 'classical' dialect of the language. Students will read influential royal documents in the original.
NES 632 Old Babylonian Administrative Documents and Literature (0.50) SEM
Course ID: 013091
This course will continue from NE 621. Readings will be taken from the Babylonian chancery of Hammpurapi, various local economic records, and literary materials such as myth, magical texts, and the like.
Prerequisite: NES 621.
NES 690 Directed Studies (0.50) SEM
Course ID: 013089
NES 691 Special Topics (0.50) SEM
Course ID: 013090
A selection of material from one author or several authors or investigation of selected themes, topics, genres at the graduate level.