Fall 2009/Pasadena
LG835/535
Hays

LG835/535: BEGINNING AKKADIAN. Christopher B. Hays.


DESCRIPTION: This course, the first of a two-quarter sequence, begins to introduces the Akkadian language, and to survey the history and literature of ancient Mesopotamia, giving special attention to the ways that Assyriology affects the study of the Old Testament.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Akkadian and Mesopotamian literature are of enormous value in the comparative study of the Old Testament, thus these subjects are strongly commended to students pursuing an advanced degree in Old Testament.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated a working knowledge of basic features of Akkadian language, including phonology, nouns, pronouns, and basic-stem (G) verbal forms. They will also begin to learn the cuneiform writing system for Old Babylonian. 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.

COURSE FORMAT: This course is scheduled to meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions (TBD). Class sessions will involve prepared translations in Akkadian as well as discussions and lectures. There will be a handful of proseminars to discuss secondary readings in addition to the normal class time.

REQUIRED READING:

Jeremy Black, Andrew George, Nicholas Postgate. A Concise Dictionary of Akkadian. 2nd printing. SANTAG 5. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2000.

John Huehnergard. A Grammar of Akkadian. 2nd ed. HSS 45. Winona Lake: Eisenbruans, 2005.

________. Key to A Grammar of Akkadian. (2nd ed. HSM 46. Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2005.

Douglas B. Miller, and R. Mark Shipp. An Akkadian Handbook: Paradigms, Helps, Glossary, Logograms, and Sign List. Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 1996.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The final grade will consist of the following components:
  1. Class Participation: This includes full participation in translation exercises, secondary readings, and discussions (50%).

  2. Two-part (in-class/take-home) examination including translations of an Akkadian passage and questions on course content (50%).

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

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Required for students with a concentration in Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Literature at the MA, ThM, and PhD levels. May be used to satisfy core course requirement for doctoral students in Old Testament. Elective for all others.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes. See above.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (7/09)