Spring 2018/Pasadena

LG834/534

Hays

LG834/534: UGARITIC 2: SPECIAL TOPICS IN UGARITOLOGY (2/4 Units: 130/160 hours). Christopher B. Hays.

DESCRIPTION: This course, the second of a two-course sequence, delves deeper into the language, literature, and culture of Ugarit, giving special attention to the ways that Ugaritology affects the study of the Hebrew Bible. Weekly seminar discussions on selected topics will expose students to the growing literature on Ugarit.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated: (1) at least intermediate mastery of the Ugaritic language; (2) proficiency in the elementary principles of comparative Semitic philology; (3) familiarity with the scope of the Ugaritic corpus in translation; (4) the ability to analyze selected texts using appropriate methods; (5) basic familiarity with the scholarly literature surrounding the Ugaritic texts.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion. Class sessions will involve prepared translations in Ugaritic as well as discussions, lectures, and student presentations on various topics.

REQUIRED READING:

Parker, Simon B., ed. Ugaritic Narrative Poetry. SBLWAW 9. Society of Biblical Literature, 1997. ISBN: 978-0788503375, Pub. Price $19.95 [75 pp. assigned].

Pardee, Dennis. Ritual and Cult at Ugarit. SBLWAW 10. Society of Biblical Literature, 2002. ISBN: 978-1589830264, Pub. Price $29.95 [75 pp. assigned].

Smith, Mark S. The Origins of Biblical Monotheism: Israel’s Polytheistic Background and Ugaritic Texts. Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0195167689, Pub. Price $40.95 [352 pp.].

Yon, Marguerite. The City of Ugarit at Tell Ras Shamra. Eisenbrauns, 2004. ISBN: 978-1575060293, Pub. Price $39.50 [188 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING: See course syllabus for recommended reading.

ASSIGNMENTS: The final grade will consist of the following components:

  1. Participation in discussions (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5] [40 hours]
  2. Homework (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-3] [40-50 hours]
  3. Quizzes (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-2] [10 hours]
  4. Class presentations (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5] [10 hours]
  5. Final paper (12-15 pp.) (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5] [30-50 hours]

PREREQUISITES: LG833/533. No audits.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet a requirement in the Ancient Context of the Old Testament emphasis and the Ancient Near Eastern Studies emphasis. May be used to satisfy core course requirement for doctoral students in Old Testament.

FINAL EXAMINATION: No.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.