DESCRIPTION:

In this doctoral seminar, open to a limited number of advanced master's level students, we will study the broad topic of Ancient Near Eastern and Ancient Israelite religion. Of necessity, we will focus on selected topics, such as concepts of deity, cult images, family worship, prayer, and prophecy.

Students pursuing an advanced degree in Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Literatures will have an opportunity to wrestle with a variety of issues connected to understanding the Old Testament in its ancient cultural and religious milieu.

In this course we will meet once a week to discuss materials studied beforehand. The professor will assign most of the material. Each student will make assignments in preparation of their presentation of their research topic.

Bottéro, Jean. Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia. Translated by Teresa Lavender Fagan. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2001.

Dick, Michael B., ed. Born in Heaven, Made on Earth: The Making of the Cult Image in the Ancient Near East. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 1999.

Livingstone, Alasdair. Court Poetry and Literary Miscellanea. State Archives of Assyria 3. Helsinki: Helsinki University Press, 1989.

Parpola, Simo. Assyrian Prophecies. State Archives of Assyria 9. Helsinki: Helsinki University Press, 1997.

Porter, Barbara Nevling, ed. One God or Many? Concepts of Divinity in the Ancient World. Transactions of the Casco Bay Assyriological Institute 1. Casco Bay, ME: Casco Bay Assyriological Institute, 2000.

Zevit, Ziony. The Religions of Ancient Israel. A Synthesis of Parallactic Approaches. London/New York: Continuum, 2001.

1. Prepared class attendance. Each student should come to class with the reading finished and be ready to participate in the class process. READ PORTER BEFORE THE FIRST CLASS SESSION.

2. After week one, a discussion of Porter's book led by the Professor, students will take turns guiding class discussion about the weekly readings.

3. Students will write a research paper, not to exceed 7500 words, on a topic related to the seminar. A written and electronic form of the paper is due by the last day of the quarter.

4. Each student will lead a one hour discussion of the research topic chosen.

Master's level students must obtain written permission of instructor.

Elective.

No.