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Department of the Languages and Cultures of the Near and Middle East

Introductory Readings in Assyriology

Course Code:
155901363
Status:
Course Not Running 2013/2014
Unit value:
0.5
Year of study:
Year 1
Taught in:
Term 1

Objectives and learning outcomes of the course

The objective of the course will be to study selected topics in the intellectual culture of ancient Mesopotamia through a programme of directed reading. Topics for study include 

  • scribal culture and education
  • mythology
  • cosmology
  • religious ideology and divination
  • magic and medicine
  • selected literary compositions, including Gilgamesh, the Flood legend and the Creation epic

At the end of a course, a student should be able to demonstrate…

  • an understanding of some of the themes, issues and debates of Assyriology
  • an ability to assess critically the materials and themes explored in the course
  • the competence to identify and compare different approaches to selected topics in Assyriology

Workload

This is a supervised course and each student will receive 5 hours of supervision throughout term 1.

Scope and syllabus

This course endeavors to  place the intellectual culture of ancient Mesopotamia in its historical context.

Method of assessment

One essay of 2,500 words to be submitted on Friday after reading week, term 1 (50%); one essay of 2,500 words to be submitted on first Friday, term 2 (50%).