DESCRIPTION: This course will provide an introduction to the history, literature, and culture of the ancient Near East with an emphasis upon the Levant during the Bronze and Iron Ages. One of the main goals of the course will be to acquaint students with the basic scholarly resources used in the discipline of ancient Near Eastern studies. The course will give specific attention to three main topics in the study of the ancient Near East: (1) interaction between the Levant and ancient Near Eastern empires during the Bronze and Iron Ages, (2) the historical and social processes involved in the rise of ancient Israel during the Iron Age, and (3) the impact of ancient Near Eastern military imperialism and propaganda upon the texts of the Hebrew Bible.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the quarter, students should be able to (1) identify the major scholarly resources used in the study of the ancient Near East, (2) identify the ways in which Israel's neighbors impacted Levantine culture during the Bronze and Iron Ages, (3) explain the different scholarly theories of the rise of ancient Israel and how these theories relate to the descriptions of early Israel in the Hebrew Bible, (4) identify the major cities and archaeological sites in the Near East during the Bronze and Iron Ages, and (5) explain how ancient Near Eastern military imperialism and warfare impacted ancient Israel and the biblical literature.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: An understanding of the history of the ancient Near East aids a deeper appreciation for the social and historical development and theology of the Old Testament. Knowledge of ancient Near Eastern societies also provides a broader cultural context for understanding the interaction between Israel and her neighbors during the biblical periods.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions. Most class sessions will consist of both lectures and short student presentations of assigned readings. Class sessions will place heavy emphasis upon student discussion of assigned readings.

REQUIRED READING:

Coogan, Michael D., ed. The Oxford History of the Biblical World. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.

Roaf, Michael. Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Near East. New York: Facts on File, 1996.

Snell, Daniel C. Life in the Ancient Near East, 3100-332 B.C.E. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1997.

Sparks, Kenton L. Ancient Texts for the Study of the Hebrew Bible: A Guide to the Background Literature. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2005.

Additional reading on reserve in the library.

Van der Mieroop, Marc. A History of the Ancient Near East, ca. 3000-323 BC. London: Blackwell, 2006.

• Attendance, participation, and class preparation (10%)

• Ancient Near Eastern site report summaries (20%)

• Articles summaries and presentations (30%)

• Research paper and presentation (40%)