General provisions

The course belongs to the minor field Assyriology.

Entry requirements

At least 22.5 credits from Assyriology A

Learning outcomes

The course intends to give an increased ability to read and interpret Akkadian cuneiform texts and provide an elementary knowledge of Sumerian, greater familiarity in the use of printed and electronic resources, and advanced knowledge of the Near East's ancient history and its linguistic and cultural history or religious ideas and practices.

Module 1

• master an extended selection of basic cuneiform signs from different periods of Akkadian
• to a certain depth, master the phonology, morphology and syntax of Akkadian
• transliterate, transcribe, read aloud, translate and analyse the grammar and contents of some important types of cuneiform texts in the Standard Babylonian dialect of Akkadian

Module 2. Sumerian I

• master a small selection of basic Sumerian cuneiform signs
• master the essential features of the phonology, morphology and syntax of Sumerian
• transliterate, transcribe, read aloud and translate simple Sumerian texts that have been introduced during the course, and carry out basic grammatical and content-based analysis of these

Module 3

a) Ancient Near East: Language and culture

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• reproduce the basic principles of some modern sociolinguistic theories
• discuss the use of Ancient Near Eastern writing systems in relation to early languages and language contexts
• discuss concepts such as appellation, genre and canon in a Near Eastern context, using correct linguistic and cultural history terminology
• give examples of contact phenomena such as borrowed writing systems, loan words, multilingualism and translations in the Ancient Near East and of mechanisms behind such linguistic phenomena
• on the basis of translations, approximately place given texts geographically and by text type and provide arguments for the placement
• summarise and present the fundamental features of some selected scholarly articles.

b) Ancient Near East: Religion

On completion of the course, students should be able to

• explain current theoretical perspectives on Ancient Near Eastern religious beliefs and practices in a basic way, using key concepts
• discuss religious concepts, characters and symbols on the basis of literary and religious works in translations and pictures
• relate historical processes to changes in central religious beliefs and practices over time
• describe the source situation for some central religious ideas and phenomena
• discuss the relationship between science and religious praxis in the Ancient Near East on the basis of some central phenomena and works in translation
• summarise and present the fundamental features of a selected book.

c) Other language or dialect in the Ancient Near East

• master the essential features of the writing, phonology, morphology and syntax of another ancient language or dialect
• transliterate, read aloud, translate and make an elementary grammatical and content-based analysis of simple texts in this language.

Module 4. Ancient Near East: History

• explain and apply key concepts from the historical method and the theory of history, such as source criticism, chronology, narrative and paradigm shift
• discuss the view and use of history in the Ancient Near East based on some concrete cases
• name and define historical periods in the Ancient Near East, discuss the distinctive features of these periods and give contemporary examples of individuals or groups of major importance
• describe the source situation for some key historical places and events over an extended period of time
• state key differences in the historical source material from different periods and fields on the basis of text translations
• summarise and present the fundamental features of selected material.

Content

The course consists of four modules.

Module 1, 7.5 credits

Depending on field of interest and taking into account courses taught during the current semester, each student, in consultation with the examiner, will choose one of the following optional courses:

a) Standard Babylonian historical text I

Reading of 200 lines of historical text from Assyria in cuneiform writing.

b) Standard Babylonian literary text I

Reading of 200 lines of Standard Babylonian literary or religious text in cuneiform writing.

Module 2. Sumerian I, 7.5 credits

The basics of Sumerian grammar. Reading of 200 lines of Sumerian text in cuneiform writing.

Module 3, 7.5 credits

Depending on field of interest and taking into account courses taught during the current semester, each student, in consultation with the examiner, will choose one of the following optional courses.

a) Ancient Near East: Religion

Wide and in-depth studies of earlier knowledge concerning Ancient Near Eastern religion. A series of thematically organised lectures and seminars concentrating on Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian religion with brief consideration of neighbouring cultures. Gods and their relationship with the world, places, ideas and behavioural patterns that were shaped around them are examined and followed over time. Texts and pictures highlight the contemporary language and symbolism, which are contrasted with more recent reflections of phenomena that can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia.

b) Ancient Near East: Language and culture

Wide and in-depth studies of earlier knowledge concerning the Ancient Near East's language, religion and culture. A series of thematically organised lectures and seminars with a focus on Mesopotamia in its regional context, dominant cultures, interfaces over time, education, language and important text types. Ways in which languages and written sources served as identity markers and as means of communication in and between cultures are emphasised through example texts in translation and in pictures, as well as the role Ancient Near Eastern cultures played and still continue to play in later periods.

c) Other language or dialect in the Ancient Near East

Studies in another language or dialect in the Ancient Near East, with the basics of a cuneiform written language other than Akkadian or Sumerian.

Module 4. Ancient Near East: History 7.5 credits

Wider and in-depth studies of earlier knowledge concerning Ancient Near Eastern history. A series of lectures and seminars that in chronological order treat Mesopotamia in its regional context, historical periods, processes, important places, events and personalities. Sources of knowledge of the history are emphasised through example texts in translation, as well as example of canards, factoids and alternative facts.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, exercises and assessment components. The students' own learning activities are crucial during the course. Participation in all teaching sessions is recommended. Good preparation for and active participation in each teaching session are required for all sessions involving linguistic components. Absence from more than one seminar in each module can be made up by written assignments corresponding to the contents of the seminar concerned.

Assessment

Modules 1 and 2 have two assessment components each:

1. continuous oral and written assignments;
2. a written examination.

For the grade Pass, Pass is required in both components. A high degree of preparation for and active participation in each teaching session contributes to the grade on component 1.

Modules 3 and 4 have two assessment components each:

1. oral presentation
2. take-home examination.

For the grade Pass, Pass is required in both components. A high degree of preparation for and active participation in each teaching session contributes to the grade on component 1. Late submission of the take-home examination is taken into consideration when grading.

To receive the grade Pass with distinction for the complete course, this grade is required for at least 22.5 credits.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other directives

The course may not be included towards a degree together with Ancient Near East: History (5AS105). Further, the course may not be included towards a degree together with Ancient Near East: Language and culture (5AS106) or Ancient Near East: Religion (5AS107) when equivalent modules have been included in the course.