Near Eastern Studies

Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies (ACABS)
(Division 314)

100/APTIS 100/HJCS 100. Peoples of the Middle East. (4). (HU).
See APTIS 100. (Babayan)

101. Elementary Biblical Hebrew I. (3). (LR).
The purpose of this and the complementary course, 102 Elementary Biblical Hebrew II (Winter Term), is to equip the beginning student with the tools necessary for reading the Hebrew Bible. The course will introduce the student to the grammar of biblical Hebrew; its phonology (the study of speech sounds), morphology (the study of word formation), and syntax (the study of phrase and sentence formation). In addition to mastering the grammar, the student will need to acquire a sizable working vocabulary of the language, for competency in grammar and lexicon best facilitates the goal of reading the biblical text. The grading will be based on corrected daily assignments (i.e., the exercises), 13-14 announced quizzes (one class day advance notice), a final comprehensive exam, as well as attendance and participation. The daily assignments will comprise 25% of the grade, the ten-best quizzes 25% the final exam 25% and attendance and participation 25%. (Krahmalkov, Schramm)

122/Rel. 122. Introduction to the New Testament. (4). (HU).
Although it has influenced the Western world more than any other book, the New Testament - having originated almost 2,000 years ago in the Eastern Mediterranean world - is not easy to understand. The course will, first of all, introduce the student to the historical, religious, and social setting of the New Testament. Then, we shall look at the various New Testament writings. They must be allowed to speak for themselves and not be clouded by any denominational or sectarian program. The student will be introduced to the insights and methods of modern scholarship when dealing with questions such as: What did the various New Testament writings really intend to say? How did they say it? Why did they say it? Finally, the problem of the development of early Christian doctrine will be addressed, albeit briefly. Why were some of the early Christian writings excluded from the New Testament canon? The method of instruction will be recitation. There will be two or three exams and a final paper. Cost:2 WL:1 (Fossum)

200/Rel. 201/APTIS 200/HJCS 200. Introduction to World Religions: Near Eastern. (4). (HU).
See Religion 201. (Williams, Knysh, Schmidt, Schramm)

261. Ancient Egypt: Religion and Culture. (3). (Excl).
This course will be an undergraduate introduction to the religion of Ancient Egypt in the period of the Empire (1600-1200 B.C.E.) and the culture. Students will be presented with a lecture on the decipherment of the Egyptian hieroglyphics and will acquire an elementary knowledge of the Egyptian language and writing systems. The literature will be presented as well as the philosophy. Contacts with ancient Palestine and Egyptian influence in the emergence of the religion of Palestine in the time of Moses will be discussed. Midterm and final exam; ten-page paper. (Krahmalkov)

Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Islamic Studies (APTIS)
(Division 325)

100/ACABS 100/HJCS 100. Peoples of the Middle East. (4). (HU).
As an introduction to the Middle East, this course examines the various elements that contribute to socio-political formations in the Middle East. By studying the region's literature, music, art, and film students can examine the important role that the construction of cultural boundaries has played in the political and economic formations of the region. Rather than examining the issues of ethnic and political strife from the vantage point of diplomatic history alone, this class adapts an interdisciplinary approach. The seemingly rigid basis for ethnic and national identification is called into question through the study of feminism, orientalism, and colonialism in the Middle Eastern setting. Students will take a midterm and a final examination. Cost:2 (Babayan)

101. Elementary Modern Standard Arabic, I. (4). (LR).
This is the first course of a two-term sequence in elementary Arabic. It is designed for non-concentrators and those who need Arabic to fulfill the language requirement. It provides an introduction to the phonology and script of Modern Standard Arabic and its basic vocabulary and fundamental structures. It offers combined training in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. There will be a focus on simple interactive communicative tasks involving teacher-student, student-student and group interactions. Reading and cultural skills are developed through simple short texts and situational dialogues. There will be daily written assignments involving supplying answers to certain drills and questions on reading comprehension passages, filling out forms, and writing short messages and paragraphs. Evaluation will be based on class participation, weekly achievement tests, monthly comprehensive tests, and a final exam. Regular use of the language laboratory or recorded tapes for home use is required to reinforce class work and also to do the recorded assignments. Textbooks: (1) A Programmed Course in Modern Standard Arabic Phonology and Script by McCarus-Rammuny, (2) Elementary Modern Standard Arabic, Part One by Abboud et al. (Lessons 1-10), (3) Supplementary Enrichment Vocabulary to accompany EMSA by R. Rammuny, and (4) Standard Achievement Tests to accompany EMSA by R. Rammuny. Cost:2 WL:3 (Rammuny, Staff)

103. Intensive Elementary Modern Standard Arabic, I. (6). (LR). Laboratory fee ($16) required.
The sequence of Arabic 103 and 104 is designed for students concentrating in Arabic or those who expect to use Arabic at an accelerated rate. It is primarily intended for highly-motivated students who want to study Arabic for academic purposes. Arabic 103 starts with an intensive introduction to Arabic phonology and script combined with oral basic communication practice. This is followed by short reading selections and situational dialogues including basic vocabulary and fundamental grammatical structures. The course offers combined training in the four language skills, plus practice in using the Arabic dictionary. Course requirements include daily preparation of the basic texts and grammatical explanations, extensive oral and written practice utilizing newly learned vocabulary and structures, and written assignments. These assignments involve answers to certain drills and reading comprehension questions, filling out short forms, and supplying short messages and biographical information. Course evaluation is based on class participation, daily written assignments, weekly achievement tests, monthly comprehensive tests, and a final examination. Textbooks: (1) Programmed Course in Modern Standard Arabic Phonology and Script by McCarus-Rammuny, (2) Elementary Modern Standard Arabic, Part One by Abboud et al. (Lessons 1-15), (3) Supplementary Enrichment Vocabulary to Accompany EMSA, and (4) Standard Achievement Tests to Accompany EMSA. Cost:2 WL:3

141. Elementary Persian, I. (4). (LR).
Persian has been called the French of the Near/Middle East. Certainly, Persia/Iran has been in the news. Persian is an Indo-European language, related to English, etc. Its literature, as in other arts, is a major part of Near/Middle Eastern and Muslim tradition. Persian 141 is the first term of a four-term sequence. It takes the student through to the basic mastery of the skills of reading and writing, and of comprehension and speaking. Cultural as well as communicative skills are emphasized. By the end of the term the student should be well versed in these skills. Individual students work with the instructor to polish and improve the student's Persian language skills. The objective is language use. Students who have special needs, such as those acquiring the knowledge of Persian for reading purposes, only, or for communicative skills, only, will be given special attention, and special sessions. Similarly, students of Iranian heritage, who may know some Persian in its colloquial form, will find the linguistic and cultural content of this course stimulating.

151. Elementary Turkish, I. (4). (LR).
Part of the departmental sequence in modern Turkish Language, this course aims at introducing and providing the opportunity to practice the basic structures of Turkish. Although it specifically focuses on enhancing spoken proficiency, reading and writing skills are taught and practiced through special readings and written assignments. Students are evaluated in accordance with the provisional Proficiency Guidelines prepared by the American Association of Teachers of Turkic Languages, class participation, achievements in weekly quizzes, a midterm, and a final examination.

153. Elementary Uzbek, I. (4). (Excl).
This course will introduce students to spoken and literary Uzbek, a Turkish language which is primarily spoken in the newly independent Republic of Uzbekistan. Instruction will be proficiency-based, and will include components of conversation, grammar and syntax practice, composition, and translation. There are no prerequisites. Cost:2 (Kamp)

200/Rel. 201/ACABS 200/HJCS 200. Introduction to World Religions: Near Eastern. (4). (HU).
See Religion 201. (Williams, Knysh, Schmidt, Schramm)

Hebrew and Jewish Cultural Studies (HJCS)
(Division 389)

100/APTIS 100/ACABS 100. Peoples of the Middle East. (4). (HU).
See APTIS 100. (Babayan)

101. Elementary Modern Hebrew, I. (5). (LR).
The focus of instruction is on the development of basic communication skills in standard modern Hebrew. Speaking, writing, reading, and listening comprehension are emphasized in classroom activities in an appropriate cultural context. Class discussions and activities are exclusively in Hebrew.

200/Rel. 201/ACABS 200/APTIS 200. Introduction to World Religions: Near Eastern. (4). (HU).
See Religion 201. (Williams, Knysh, Schmidt, Schramm)

201. Intermediate Modern Hebrew, I. HJCS 102. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Hebrew 311. (5). (LR).
The focus of instruction is on the four basic communication skills, with a continued emphasis on oral work and writing. A greater emphasis is put on the acquisition of a rich vocabulary in several language domains. In addition to reading texts, there is an extensive use of authentic video materials. Class discussions and activities are exclusively in Hebrew.