Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies (ACABS)

May be elected as a departmental concentration program

The division of Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies (ACABS) offers instruction at the introductory to advanced levels in the languages, literatures, histories, cultures, and religions of the ancient Near East (Anatolia, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Israel, and Syria). The concentrator in ACABS can select from one of four options within the division designed to meet the special interests of the student: Ancient Mesopotamia, Hebrew Bible/Ancient Israel, New Testament/Early Christianity, or Ancient Egypt.

Prerequisite to Concentration. All Near Eastern Studies concentrators must complete the prerequisite course 100, Peoples of the Middle East.

Concentration. The concentrator in ACABS is required to complete four terms of language. The languages for which four terms of instruction are offered include Akkadian, Classical Hebrew, and Greek. Fourth-term proficiency in Classical Hebrew or Greek satisfies the language requirement of the College of LS&A. The student has the option to complete only two terms of one of those three languages and two subsequent terms of a second (and third) language. In place of four terms of one language, the concentrator can select one of the following three language options: one year of Akkadian followed by one year of Sumerian, or one year of Classical Hebrew followed by one term of Aramaic and another of Ugaritic, or three terms of middle Egyptian and one term of Coptic.

In addition to the four terms of language, the ACABS concentrator must elect six additional courses in the languages, literatures, histories, and cultures and religions of the ancient Near East. These six divisional courses are to be selected from the four course levels: one at the 100-level, one at the 200-level, one at the 300 level, and three at the 400-500 level. The concentrator must also complete two elective cognate courses outside the division of concentration. The concentration courses must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies and the concentration advisor. Please contact the departmental secretary to make an appointment with the concentration advisor.

Courses in Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies