Courses in Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies (Division 314)

ACABS 100/AAPTIS 100/HJCS 100/Hist 132. Peoples of the Middle East.

(4; 3 in the half-term). (HU).

An introductory course on the diversity of peoples, cultures, economies, and politics of the Middle East. Topics include religion (Judaism, Islam, Christianity), cities and nomads, women in the Middle East, economic change, social and political systems, and the world's first civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt.

ACABS 101. Elementary Biblical Hebrew I.

(Language Courses)

(3). (LR).

An introduction to the language and style of the Hebrew Bible. Daily instruction on grammar with drills.

ACABS 102. Elementary Biblical Hebrew II.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 101. (3). (LR).

Lessons and exercises in a standardized form of the language of the Hebrew Bible. Presentation of grammar and vocabulary.

ACABS 121/Rel. 121. Introduction to the Tanakh/Old Testament.

(4; 3 in the half-term.). (HU).

Introduction to the Hebrew Bible in translation and to modern methods of interpretation.

ACABS 122/Rel. 122. Introduction to the New Testament.

(4; 3 in the half-term). (HU).

This course introduces introduces the student to the modern study of the new testament, the most widely read but, probably, least understood book in the world. The course places the New Testament in its historical setting and introduce students to the methods of interpretation of New Testament writings.

ACABS 181/Hist. 130. The First States and Civilizations: Introduction to the History of the Ancient Near East.

(4; 3 in the half-term). (HU).

Introduction to the first 3000 years of human history as recorded in the texts of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, Iran, and the Levant. The origins of complex societies in Sumer and Egypt is briefly considered, and the subsequent development of cuneiform and hieroglyphic civilizations is studied in more detail, down to their common conquest by the Macedonians in the fourth century BCE. Particular attention is given to the effects of ecological factors upon economic, political, religious, and intellectual history. A number of primary documents from the Ancient Near East are read in translation.

ACABS 192. First Year Seminar in Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies.

Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. (3). (HU).

First year seminar to be offered on special topics. Courses would not be part of the permanent curriculum, but offered by visiting faculty or permanent faculty for special purposes.

ACABS 200/Rel. 201/AAPTIS 200/HJCS 200. Introduction to World Religions: Near Eastern.

(4; 3 in the half-term). (HU).

Religions of the Book: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. An introduction to those world religions with roots in the Near East. The traditions studied include Ancient Israel (including the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament) as well as its "offspring:" Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Special attention is paid the origins and development of these traditions, what they share, and how they differ.

ACABS 201. Intermediate Biblical Hebrew, I.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 102. (3). (LR).

This course is an introduction to the literature of the Hebrew Bible. Texts representing different literary genres and dating from different periods are read in the original. Students are introduced to the history of the text of the Hebrew Bible and the problems of its translation and interpretation. Special emphasis is placed on refining the student's knowledge of Biblical Hebrew through the study of Hebrew syntax.

ACABS 202. Intermediate Biblical Hebrew, II.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 201. (3). (LR).

The student is introduced to the elements of Biblical Hebrew syntax and other aspects of advanced grammar. Selected Biblical texts are read and their historical and literary backgrounds analyzed and discussed.

ACABS 221/Rel. 280. Jesus and the Gospels.

(4; 3 in the half-term). (HU).

An examination of the life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth and of the form, purpose, and context of the Gospels.

ACABS 261. Ancient Egypt: Religion and Culture.

(4; 3 in the half-term). (Excl).

A general introduction to the religion and culture of Ancient Egypt, students in this course will examine aspects of ancient Egyptian religion through its intellectual and material culture.

ACABS 266. Before the Bible: The Phoenicians.

(4; 3 in the half-term). (HU).

Introduction to the culture and religion of the Phoenicians, the inhabitants of ancient Lebanon and Palestine before and during the period of the Bible.

ACABS 281. Ancient Egypt and its World.

(4; 3 in the half term). (HU).

A general introduction to the history and culture of ancient Egypt and the peoples and cultures in contact with the Egyptians.

ACABS 291. Topics in Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies.

(3). (Excl).

Undergraduate topics course in the field of Ancient Culture and Biblical Study.

ACABS 292. Seminar in Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies.

(3). (Excl).

Seminar offered on special topics for undergraduates.

ACABS 321/Hist. 306/Rel. 358. History and Religion of Ancient Israel.

(3). (HU).

Traces the cultural history of Ancient Israel as seen within the larger histories of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Syria of the late 2nd and mid 1st millennia (1200-600 BCE).

ACABS 322/Hist. 307/Rel. 359. History and Religion of Ancient Judaism.

May be elected independently of ACABS 321. (3). (HU).

Traces the cultural history of Ancient Judaism within the larger history of the ancient Near East from its beginnings following 600 BCE/BC through to the last Jewish independence movement in Ancient Palestine, the Bar Kochba Revolt of 132-35 CE/AD.

ACABS 323/Rel. 350. History of Christian Thought: Paul to Augustine.

(4; 3 in the half-term). (Excl).

An introduction to the writings of the Church Fathers, east and west, from the 1st through the 5th centuries CE. The course is organized around certain recurring themes and problems in the history of Christianity, including: the unity of God, the inspiration of scripture, the place of the Church in society, etc.

ACABS 382/Hist. of Art 382/Cult. Anthro 381. Introduction to Egyptian Archaeology.

(4; 3 in the half-term). (HU).

This course focuses on the material culture and disposition of archaeological sites in ancient Egypt and Nubia from c. 3200 bce-285 ac. The logic and nature of both sacred and secular landscapes are explored, and specific sites, some well known (such as the extensive temple precinct at Karnak and the Meroitic pyramids).

ACABS 393/AAPTIS 393/Rel. 393. The Religion of Zoroaster.

(3). (HU).

A comprehensive introduction to the dualistic religion of Zoroaster, his view of creation and salvation, and ethics.

ACABS 395. Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies: Directed Readings.

(1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for a total of six credits.

Designed for individual students who have an interest in a specific topic (usually that has stemmed from a previous course). An individual instructor must agree to direct such a reading and the requirements are specified when approval is granted.

ACABS 411. Introduction to Akkadian.

(Language Courses)

Permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).

Examination of the principles underlying the writing system of the Babylonians, followed by guided reading in Assyrian and Babylonian texts.

ACABS 412. Akkadian Texts.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 411. (3). (Excl).

Examination of the principles underlying the writing system of the Babylonians, followed by guided reading in Assyrian and Babylonian texts.

ACABS 413/Anthro. 442/Hist. 440. Ancient Mesopotamia: History and Culture.

Junior standing. (3). (HU).

Sumerian, Babylonian, and Assyrian civilization from the first cuneiform documents to the fall of the Neo-Babylonian empire; special attention to (1) the rise and nature of early Mesopotamian city-states; (2) Mesopotamian economics; (3) Mesopotamian law; (4) ethnic relations in Mesopotamia; (5) Mesopotamia and its neighbors – Egypt, Iran, Israel; (6) the collapse of Mesopotamian civilization.

ACABS 414(ABS 442)/Rel. 442. Mythology and Literature of Ancient Mesopotamia.

(3). (Excl).

This course provides a broad introduction to the two and a half millennia of Sumerian and Akkadian writing including myth and literature. It is studied from a variety of perspectives, concentrating on the historical and social contexts of writing. Genre theory, semiotics, hermeneutics and reader response is studied in conjunction with the unique problems of ancient myths.

ACABS 415. Elementary Hittite.

(Language Courses)

(3). (Excl).

An introduction to the earliest-attested Indo-European language. Presentation of the fundamentals of Hittite grammar and orientation to the cuneiform writing system. Consideration of the position of Hittite among the languages of Europe and the Near East.

ACABS 425/Rel. 495. The Gnostic Religion.

ACABS 221. ACABS 200 recommended. (3). (Excl).

An exploration of the phenomenon of "Gnosticism" in the first three centuries of the common era, with special reference to the relation of the gnostic communities to the Jewish-Wisdom tradition, Greek mystery religions, and Pauline Christianity. Also covers Gnostic themes in the New Testament and early Christian writings.

ACABS 446/Anthro. 481/REES 446. The Archaeology of the Eurasian Steppes, Caucasia, and Central Asia.

One of: Anthro. 380, 383, 384, 385, 407, 442, 480, 482, 483, 485, or 486; or ACABS 181, 281, or 413; or Classics 421, 435, 437, or 531. (3). (Excl).

Explores the prehistory of the Eurasian Steppe, Caucasia, and Central Asia, covering the period between the appearance of the first settled villages of the neolithic through the rise and expansion of the first states. It acquaints students with the archaeological record of these regions in the context of the anthropological and historical questions which guide contemporary investigations.

ACABS 483. Aramaic, I.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 102. (3). (Excl).

Introduction to the classical Aramaic of the Persian and Hellenistic periods.

ACABS 484. Aramaic, II.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 483. (3). (Excl).

Introduction to the classical Aramaic of the Persian and Hellenistic periods.

ACABS 485. Introduction to Middle Egyptian, I.

(Language Courses)

Permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).

An introduction to the language of the Middle Kingdom.

ACABS 486. Introduction to Middle Egyptian, II.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 485. (3). (Excl).

An introduction to the language of the Middle Kingdom.

ACABS 487/WS 487. Gender and Society in Ancient Egypt.

Some familiarity with Egypt is helpful. (3). (Excl).

Using ancient texts in translation, secondary readings and artifacts in the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, students in this course examine the definitions of gender, gender roles, and relations and the impact of status, religion, sexuality, and ethnicity on ancient Egyptian understandings of gender.

ACABS 491. Topics in Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies.

(3). (Excl). May be repeated for a total of six credits.

A course for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students taught by temporary faculty or as a testing course for permanent faculty.

ACABS 498. Senior Honors Thesis.

Permission of instructor. (1-6). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT).

The Senior Honors thesis is for students who have been approved by the Near Eastern Studies concentration advisor, Honors advisor, and the LSA Honors Council. The length of the thesis may vary, but 50-60 pages is common. Two advisors should be chosen. The principal advisor is a member of the faculty in whose field of expertise the thesis topic lies, and he or she oversees the student's research and the direction taken by the thesis.

ACABS 511. Introduction to Sumerian.

(Language Courses)

(3). (Excl).

Introduction to the study of Sumerian with emphasis on learning to read.

ACABS 512. Sumerian Texts.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 511. (3). (Excl).

Continuation of Introduction to Sumerian with emphasis on learning to read.

ACABS 521. Coptic, I.

(Language Courses)

(3). (Excl).

In this course students learn to read Coptic, the latest form of the Egyptian language. Coptic has recently become very important because it is the language in which the Nag Hammadi texts are written. These texts, discovered in 1945, reveal information about the schisms which divided early Judaism and Christianity.

ACABS 522. Coptic, II.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 521. (3). (Excl).

Continuation of Coptic 522.

ACABS 542/HJCS 542. The Literature of the Hebrew Bible.

ACABS 202. (3). (Excl).

Extensive reading in several genres of the Hebrew Old Testament. Emphasis is on the content, style, and literary structure. The course is conducted in Hebrew.

ACABS 543/HJCS 543. The Bible in Jewish Tradition.

Permission of instructor. (3). (Excl).

Selections from the Hebrew Bible are read and interpreted in the light of the ancient (Aramaic) Targumim and the medieval commentaries.

ACABS 544/HJCS 544. Tannaitic Literature.

HJCS 302. (3). (Excl).

Readings and interpretations of texts from the Tannaitic corpus of literature, including Mishnah and Midrash.

ACABS 581. Ugaritic, I.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 102. (3). (Excl).

Readings in the Ras Shamra texts, with emphasis on the development of the Canaanite languages.

ACABS 582. Ugaritic, II.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 581. (3). (Excl).

Readings in the Ras Shamra texts, with emphasis on the development of the Canaanite languages.

ACABS 585. Advanced Middle Egyptian.

(Language Courses)

ACABS 485, 486. (3). (Excl).

This course continues the study of Middle Egyptian beyond the first year by exposing students to a variety of texts in this language. Students read a selection of biographical, literary, religious, magical, medical and documentary texts, in modern transcriptions and in facsimiles of the ancient originals.

ACABS 587. Seminar in Ancient Egyptian History and Culture: Selected Topics.

ACABS 281 or 382. (3). (Excl). May be repeated for a total of six credits.

Selected topics in Ancient Egyptian history and culture.

ACABS 591. Topics in Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies.

(3). (Excl).

A course for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students taught by temporary faculty or as a testing course for permanent faculty.

ACABS 592. Seminar in Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies.

(3). (Excl).

Seminar intended for upper level undergraduates and graduate students.

ACABS 593. Mini Course – Topics in Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies.

(1). (Excl).

Course for upper level undergraduates and graduate students to be taught by temporary faculty or as an experimental course for permanent faculty.