DESCRIPTION: This course, a continuation of LG533/833, will be devoted to further reading of Ugaritic literature and its pertinence for the field of Old Testament studies.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course sequence will have demonstrated: (1) increased ability in translating the religious texts in the Ugaritic language, particularly the Baal Cycle and the Kirta Epic; (2) insight into Classical Hebrew grammar via the development of other Northwest Semitic languages; (3) increased mastery of the semantics and theology of biblical poetry, particularly as represented by the Psalms (4) a greater understanding of the issues regarding both Israelite and "Canaanite" religion as portrayed in the Old Testament; (5) knowledge of the history and role of the city-state of Ugarit in the Late Bronze Age.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The study of Ugaritic is crucial for students pursuing an advanced degree in Old Testament. The Ugaritic corpus has played a crucial role for our current understanding of Classical Hebrew and the development of Israelite religion. For Bible students, the rich literary works of Ugarit provide witness to the larger world of ancient Israel.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet once weekly for three-hour sessions. Class sessions will primarily involve prepared translations in Ugaritic as well as discussions and lectures based on grammatical issues and peripheral topics.

REQUIRED READING:

Hunt, Joel H., and William M. Schniedewind. A Primer for Ugarit: Language, Culture and Literature. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, forthcoming.

Sivan, Daniel. A Grammar of the Ugaritic Language. 2d ed. Leiden: Brill, 2001.
OR Tropper, Josef. Ugaritische Grammatik. AOAT 273. Münster: Ugarit-Verlag, 2000.

Cross, Frank Moore, Jr. Canaanite Myth and Hebrew Epic: Essays in the History of the Religion of Israel. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997.

Del Olmo Lete, G. and J. Sanmartin. A Dictionary of the Ugaritic Language in the Alphabetic Tradition. 2d ed. 2 vols. Leiden: Brill, 2004.

Schloen, J. David. The House of the Father as Fact and Symbol: Patrimonialism in Ugarit and the Ancient Near East. Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2001.

Smith, Mark. The Origins of Biblical Monotheism: Israel's Polytheistic Background and the Ugaritic Texts. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001.

1. Class Participation: This includes full participation in translation exercises, secondary readings, and discussions (50%).

2. Research Paper: Based on the literature review for LG533/833, students must write an original 15-20 page paper on any topic related to Ugaritology. Papers will be presented during the 10th and finals week (50%).