Fall 2015/Pasadena

LG533/833

Hays

LG533/833: BEGINNING UGARITIC (4 Units: 160 Hours). Christopher B. Hays.

DESCRIPTION: This course, the first of a two-course sequence, introduces the language, literature, and culture of Ugarit, a Late Bronze Age city-state on the coast of the Mediterranean whose language was in the same cultural stream as Hebrew. Special attention is given to the ways in which the study of this material has profoundly informed and improved the study of the Old Testament.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a working knowledge of the Ugaritic language and basic proficiency in the elementary principles of comparative Semitic philology; (2) familiarity with the Ugaritic textual corpus in translation; (3) ability to articulate the significant contributions of Ugaritology (a) as its own self-contained field within ancient Near Eastern studies and (b) as it informs the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible and ancient Israelite and Judean religion and culture.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom. Class sessions will involve prepared translations in Ugaritic as well as discussions, lectures, and student presentations on various topics.

REQUIRED READING: 750 pages required.

Course reader. [70 pp.]

Huehnergard, John. An Introduction to Ugaritic. Hendrickson, 2012. ISBN: 978-1598568202, Pub. Price$69.95. [246 pp.].

Huehnergard, John. Ugaritic Vocabulary in Syllabic Transcription. HSS 32; Eisenbrauns, 2009. ISBN: 978-1575069333, Pub. Price $54.95. [for reference].

Smith, Mark S. Untold Stories: The Bible and Ugaritic Studies in the Twentieth Century. Hendrickson Pub., 2001. ISBN: 978-1565635753, Pub. Price $19.99. [252 pp.].

Yon, Marguerite. The City of Ugarit at Tell Ras Shamra. Eisenbrauns, 2006. ISBN: 978-1575060293, Pub. Price $39.50. [179 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING: See course syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The final grade will consist of the following components:

  1. Preparation of language homework (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3] [50 hours].

  2. Class participation: This includes discussion of course readings (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3] [60 hours].

  3. Quizzes (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [20 hours].

  4. Literature review (3 pages) and class presentation on assigned topic(s) related to Ugarit (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2-3] [10 hours].

  5. Two-part (in-class/take-home) examination including translations of an Ugaritic passage and questions on course content (35%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-2] [20 hours].

PREREQUISITES: LG502 or written permission of the instructor. No audits.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to count for Ancient Context of the Old Testament Emphasis and Ancient Near Eastern Studies emphasis. Fulfills requirement in the PhD in the Old Testament. Elective for all others.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.