Spring 2005/Pasadena
LG836/536
Asai
LG836/536: ADVANCED AKKADIAN. Toru Asai.
DESCRIPTION:
- The continuation of the study of the Akkadian language by the
inductive method. The cuneiform texts from the Descent of Ishtar (whatever is
left over from the previous quarter), the Flood Tablet of the Gilgamesh Epic
(and various letters, if the time allows) will be read. Special attention will
be given to the grammatical relationships to the Hebrew language and the
cultural relationships to the Old Testament.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Akkadian is one of the oldest Semitic languages that was widely
used in the Middle East over two millennia. Its linguistic study greatly
enhances the grammatical and syntactical understanding of Hebrew, the language
of the Old Testament. A great number of Akkadian documents have been referred
to as parallels to the Old Testament by biblical scholars. This course will
equip the student with the introductory linguistic knowledge needed to read
these extra-biblical materials and to make his/her decision as to how they are
related to the Old Testament.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The student will be asked to read and translate the text from
cuneiform with the help of his/her notes. The linguistic, cultural and other
various issues found in the text will be discussed, and some deductive
explanations of the grammar will be given by the instructor. Class will meet
twice weekly for two-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Gaebelein, Paul W. and Toru Asai. Notes on Akkadian Grammar.
(unpublished).
- Marcus, David. A Manual of Akkadian. Lanham: University Press of
America, 1978.
- Caplice, Richard. Introduction to Akkadian. 3rd ed. Rome: Biblical
Institute Press, 1988.
- Course reader of Akkadian texts.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Borger, Rykle. Babylonisch-Assyrische Lesestüche. 2
vols. Rome: Pontificium Institutum Biblicum, 1979.
- Black, Jeremy, Andrew George, and Nicholas Postgate, eds. A Concise
Dictionary of Akkadian. 2nd corrected printing. Weisbaden: Harrassowitz,
2000.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Preparation for the class. The student should be prepared to read
and translate the text for each class session.
PREREQUISITES:
- LG502 Hebrew and LG535/835 Beginning Akkadian.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Elective. Required language for the Semitic concentration in the MA
in Theology.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Written midterm and final exams.