Spring 2009/Pasadena
OT583/883
Hays

OT583/883: ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN HISTORY, LITERATURE, AND CULTURE.
Christopher B. Hays.


DESCRIPTION: This course surveys ancient Near Eastern history, literature, and culture from prehistoric times up to Alexander's conquest. Civilizations singled out for focus include Sumer, Egypt, Hatti, Babylonia, Assyria, Israel, and Persia. In the periods narrated by the Old Testament, special attention will be paid to the ways in which surrounding cultures impinged on and influenced Israel and Judah. In addition to historical events and texts, students will be asked to master basic geographical data, and will be briefly introduced to the languages and writing systems of some of the cultures covered.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing the course will gain broad familiarity with the history, literature, culture, and geography of major ancient Near Eastern civilizations. These data are the backbone of the study of the ancient Near East, and greatly assist the contextual and historical study of the Bible.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The civilizations covered form the backdrop of the Old Testament, informing the study of its history, religion, and social institutions; thus students' exegesis and proclamation will be enriched.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions. The typical meeting will include lecture on a specific historical period and culture, and discussion about specific primary texts that derive from that period and culture.

REQUIRED READING:

Ehrlich, Carl S. From an Antique Land: An Introduction to Ancient Near Eastern Literature. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2009.

Roaf, Michael. Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East. New York/Oxford: Facts on File, 1990.

Van de Mieroop, Marc. A History of the Ancient Near East. 2nd ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2007.

Course reader.

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Class participation (20%)

  2. Midterm examination (30%)

  3. Final examination (50%)

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Required for students with a concentration in Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Literature at the MA in Theology, ThM, and PhD levels. Elective for all others.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.