Spring 2011/Pasadena
OT583
Hays

OT583: 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.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing the course will gain broad familiarity with the history, literature, culture, and geography of major ancient Near Eastern civilizations. This forms the backbone of the study of the ancient Near East, and greatly assists the interpretation of the Bible.

COURSE FORMAT: The course meets twice weekly for two-hour sessions. The typical meeting will include lecture on an historical period and culture, and discussion of specific primary texts that derive from that period and culture. Movies will also be shown during some class periods.

REQUIRED READING:

Curtis, Adrian, ed. Oxford Bible Atlas. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 4th ed, 2007. ISBN: 0191001589, $35.00.

Van de Mieroop, Marc. A History of the Ancient Near East. 2nd ed. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2006. ISBN: 1405149116, $31.22.

Van de Mieroop, Marc. A History of Ancient Egypt. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2010. ISBN: 1405160713, $44.95.

Course reader.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
  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.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (February 2011)