Fall 2020/Fuller Online
LG535
Wingert
LG535/835: BEGINNING AKKADIAN (4 Units: 160 Hours). Michael Wingert.
DESCRIPTION: Akkadian was the international language used by much ofthe world for nearly two thousand years, much like Greek or Latin in more recent times. It is the language in which some of history's most important texts were written (e.g., the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Code of Hammurabi), which shed great light on the world of the Old Testament. Akkadian was the language of the Assyrians and Babylonians when the biblical authors lived under their rule, and was even used by the Egyptians at the time when Israel came out of Egypt. This course, the first of a two-quarter sequence, begins to introduce the Akkadian language, and to survey the history and literature of ancient Mesopotamia, giving special attention to the ways that it affects the study of the Old Testament.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated (1) a working knowledge of basic features of Akkadian language, including phonology, nouns, pronouns, and basic-stem (G) verbal forms. (2) They will also begin to learn the cuneiform writing system for Old Babylonian. (3) Finally, they will begin to gain familiarity with the Sumero-Akkadian textual corpus in translation and the ability to articulate the significant contributions of Assyriology (a) as its own self-contained field within ancient Near Eastern studies and (b) as it informs the interpretation of the Old Testament and ancient Israelite religion and culture.
RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Addresses the PLO that states “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries” (MDiv).
COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once a week for a two-hour synchronous online session for a total of 20 instructional hours of lecture, grammar/translation review, and discussion. Additional, one-hour, synchronous may also be scheduled, as needed. Online class sessions will involve lectures, review of prepared translations in Akkadian, and discussions of Mesopotamian literature, history, and culture. Additional, asynchronous online work will be required.
REQUIRED READING:
Huehnergard, John. A Grammar of Akkadian. 3rd ed. HSS 45. Brill, 2011. ISBN: 978-1575069418, Pub. Price $74.00. Available as a PDF from the author: https://www.academia.edu/234695/2011_A_Grammar_of_Akkadian_3rd_edition_
________. Key to A Grammar of Akkadian. 3rd ed. HSM 46. Brill, 2013. ISBN: 978-1575069449, Pub. Price $37.00. Available as a PDF from the author: https://www.academia.edu/234697/2013_Key_to_A_Grammar_of_Akkadian_3rd_edition_
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The final grade will consist of the following components:
PREREQUISITES: LG502, LG502B or permission of the instructor. No audits.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Required for students with a concentration in Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Literature ThM and PhD levels. May be used to satisfy core course requirement for doctoral students in Old Testament. Counts toward Ancient Context of Old Testament emphasis and Ancient Near Eastern emphasis.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes. See above.
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. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.