DESCRIPTION: This course, the second of a two-quarter sequence, completes the introduction of the Akkadian language. It also surveys the culture 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 (1) a working knowledge of all basic features of the Akkadian language, with the primary additional content being the bulk of the verbal system; (2) a working knowledge of the Neo-Assyrian cuneiform writing system; (3) an initial 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 will meet twice weekly for a one-hour, fifty-minute session. 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:

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

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

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

Labat, René, and Florence Malbran-Labat, Manuel d'épigraphie akkadienne. 6th ed. with additions. Paris: Librairie orientaliste P. Geuthner, 1995.

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

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%).