REL 228: History and Culture of the Ancient Near East, Spring 2003.      SYLLABUS     RJDKnauth
MWF 10:15-11:20, B309. Office hours MWF 2:00-3:00, T 2:00-4:00, in D-320.
Tel: 321-4298(gayt), home: 326-3822; email: knauth@lycoming.edu, web http://www.lycoming.edu/~knauth

            The primary purpose of this course is to explore the history and culture of the ancient Near East, focusing on Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Syria-Palestine (the “fertile crescent”), with emphasis on its cultural legacy - both as the cultural context for the birth of the Judaeo-Christian religious tradition and as highly influential to modern society more generally.  Considerable attention will be given to primary sources (Kramer, Pritchard and others) and archaeological contributions (with slide illustrations).  Most weeks will include short student presentations and discussion.  Weekly quizzes and assignments will provide extra incentive to do the reading, so as to be prepared to participate actively in the discussion sessions.

Texts:                The Ancient Near East, Amelie Kuhrt (in 2 volumes)
                         History Begins at Sumer: Thirty-nine Firsts in Recorded History, S.N. Kramer
Recommended: The Ancient Near East: An Anthology of Texts and Pictures (Vol. 1), ed. J.B. Pritchard
                                                                                                                                    (on reserve) 

          Course Requirements: 

1)      Attendance and informed participation (readings having been completed) at all class sessions will be expected (worth 10% of the final grade).  The attendance policy for this course is that there are no excused absences without a written note from a doctor or parent/guardian regarding a serious family or medical emergency (e.g. requiring hospitalization). Each set of 3 absences lowers your grade by 1%.   

2)     Quizzes on assigned readings (20 total, worth 20% of the final grade) will take place at the beginning of class as listed in this syllabus.  Quizzes will cover assigned readings since the previous quiz.

3)      Period Outline Summaries from the assigned chapters of Kuhrt (1-2 pages typed*) will be collected on the following periods (20 total, worth 20% of the final grade):
For Mesopotamia: Sumerian Early Dynastic, Akkadian, Gutean(1/2), Neo-Sumerian, Isin/Larsa(1/2), Old Assyrian, Old Babylonian, Hittite, Kassite, Hurrian, Neo-Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian, Persian.
For Egypt: Early Dynastic, Old Kingdom, 1st Intermediate, Middle Kingdom, 2nd Intermediate, New Kingdom, 3rd Intermediate, Saite. 
For each of these, include the following:
A.  Specify Period/Culture/Nation with date range and geographical designation.
B.  Briefly characterize the period culture and its major innovations. 
C.  Outline its history with major historical events, rulers, capital cities. 
D.  Note the dynamics of the rise/fall of the culture, with major innovations.  
E.  Give brief biographical descriptions for the main characters that stand out.  
F.  Briefly describe the major relevant primary sources and their significance. 
G.  Reflect on the nature of major sources and significant difficulties of interpretation involved.
H.  Comment on other issues that stand out as important or interesting. 

4)     Written Assignments (1 page typed;* 20 total, worth 20% of the final grade), with occasional oral presentations, usually on primary texts or major issues, will be collected in class, and will be the basis for class discussion.  Students may expect to be called upon at random.  
For Kramer readings and other primary texts, note genre of literature, historical context, historical significance, biblical or modern parallels, cultural heritage, and issues of bias/reliability.

5)      There will be a Midterm (Fri-2/28, worth 10% of the grade) and Final (2 hours, 20% of grade).  Review sheets will be handed out in advance.  

*For written work, please type using 12-pt Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins all around.

Schedule of Readings:                                                                                             

Week 1:   Introductions and Mesopotamian Pre-Dynastic Period; Development of Writing & Cities
M (Jan. 13): Intro. Overview of History, Politics & Ecology of “the fertile crescent,” influence on Religion.
For Wed: Read Kuhrt Introduction and ch. 1a (i.e. up to p. 27).
Asst. 1 (for Wed):  Reflect briefly on factors leading to the development of urban culture ca. 3000 BCE.  
W (Jan. 15)- Discuss major methodological issues; Mesopotamian Pre-Dynastic Period.
For Fri: read Kramer Intro, Appendix B, and ch. 1-3. 
 F (Jan. 17)-  Discuss invention of writing, schools, and juvenile delinquency.

Mesopotamian Early Bronze Age (3000 - 2000 BCE): Kuhrt ch. 1    Sumer, Akkad, Gut, Ur III

Week 2:  Sumerian Early Dynastic, Sargon's Akkadian Empire, and the fall of Agade to the Gutians
For Mon: Read Kuhrt 1b; Kramer 4-7, 20, 22-24, 27; Pritchard p. 40-74.  
Asst. 2 (for Mon): Reflect on the historicity of Gilgamesh. 
M (Jan. 20):  Sumerian Early Dynastic (3000-2300). Discuss Gilgamesh and Sumerian politics. *Quiz 1.
For Wed: Read Kuhrt 1c. 
Asst. 3 (for Wed): Compare the birth legend of Sargon (p. 48) to that of Moses in Exod 1-2. 
W (Jan. 22): Lugalzagesi (as set-up); Sargon’s Akkadian Empire (2340/2300-2200/2150).
For Fri: Read Kramer Appendix A.  
Asst. 4 (for Fri): Discuss the legend of the fall of Agade in relation to actual history.
F (Jan. 24)-  Discuss Naram-Sin and the fall of Agade to the Gutians (2200-2100). Gudea the Architect. 

Week 3:  Ur III Dynasty - the Neo-Sumerian Renaissance (2100-2000)
For Mon: Read Kuhrt 1d.
M (Jan. 27): Discuss Utu-Hegal (propaganda; set-up for Ur III); Ur-Nammu & Shulgi.  *Quiz 2.
For Wed: Read Kramer 8, 25, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36.
Asst. 5 (for Wed): Choose one Kramer chapter and reflect on the culture of the Ur III dynasty.
W (Jan. 29): Discuss Kramer.  Abraham and the Ur III Dynasty (Ziggurat - cf Gen. 11). Slides.
For Fri: Read Kramer 28-29, 34, 37, 39. 
Asst. 6 (for Fri):  Discuss Ibbi-Sin and Ishbi-Erra and the politics of the fall of Ur III.
F (Jan. 31): Discussion on Ibbi-Sin and Ishbi-Erra and the politics of the fall of Ur III. *Quiz 3.

Week 4:  Mesopotamian Middle Bronze Age (2000–1600): Kuhrt ch. 2.  Isin/Larsa, Ass/O.B.
For Mon: Read Kuhrt 2intro,2a,2b,2c. Do Kuhrt ch. 2 Worksheet (hand-out).
M (Feb. 3): The Isin/Larsa period; Shamshi-Adad; the Old Assyrian Trading Network. *Quiz 4.
For Wed: Read Kuhrt 2d,2e; Pritchard 260-262.  
Asst. 7 (for Wed): Reflect on Hammurabi's rise to power.
W (Feb. 5): Mari and the Old Babylonian Period.  Slides.  *Quiz 5.
For Fri: Read Kramer 9, 13, 19; Genesis 1-12, Exodus 20-23; Pritchard pp. 31-40, 133-166.
F (Feb. 7)- Discuss Old Babylonian Law and Justice, and the ANE legal tradition (Hammurabi, Bible); Biblical origins and patriarchs (creation stories compared).

Egyptian Early and Middle Bronze Ages (3000-1550 BCE):  Kuhrt ch. 3  

Week 5: Egyptian Early Dynastic, Old Kingdom, 1st Intermediate (3100–2000).  
For Mon:  Read Kuhrt 3intro,3a.
Asst. 8 (for Mon): Discuss the nature of sources for early Egyptian History, difficulties of interpretation.
M (Feb 10)- Egyptian Early Dynastic Period. Sources for History.
For Wed:  Read Kuhrt 3b; Pritchard p. 1-5 (Memphite Theology).
Asst. 9 (for Wed): Discuss some aspect of Egyptian religion as reflected in our readings.
W (Feb. 12)- Egyptian Old Kingdom - the Pyramid Age.  Egyptian religion. *Quiz 6.
For Fri:  Read Kuhrt 3c.
F (Feb. 14)- Egyptian 1st Intermediate Period.

Week 6: Egyptian Middle Kingdom and 2nd Intermediate Period (2000–1550). 
For Mon:  Read Kuhrt 3d; Pritchard 252-257 (Nefer-Rohu).
Asst. 10 (for Mon): Comment on the Prophecy of Nefer-Rohu/Neferti.
M (Feb. 17)- Egyptian Middle Kingdom. *Quiz 7.
For Wed:  Read Kuhrt 3e. 
W (Feb. 19)- Egyptian 2nd Intermediate Period.
For Fri:  Read Genesis 37, 39-50; Pritchard pp. 5-27, 173-175.
F (Feb. 21)- Israel in Egypt: Joseph & Hyksos.  *Quiz 8.

Week 7:  More Kramer, Review and Test
For Mon: Read Kramer 10-12, 15-18, 26, 32, 38.
Asst. 11 (for Mon): Choose one chapter for a brief reflection to present to the class.
M (Feb. 24)- Discuss Mesopotamian science, literature, and cultural influence.  *Quiz 9.
For Wed:  Review Kuhrt ch. 1-3 and notes. Sumer, Akkad, Gut, Ur III; Isin/Larsa, Ass/O.B.!
W (Feb. 26)- Review for Midterm on Kuhrt Intro + ch. 1-3, Kramer, and Pritchard selections.
F (Feb. 28)- Midterm Exam (worth 10% of final grade).

Spring Break!!!  March 1 – 9. Enjoy your week!                

Great Powers of the Late Bronze Age (1600-1200, extend to 1050): Kuhrt ch. 4 - 7

Week 8:  Egyptian New Kingdom (1550-1069): Kuhrt ch. 4 + 6d
For Mon:  Read Kuhrt ch. 4 + 6d (include in period outline summary).
M (Mar. 10)- 18th Dynasty - Amose, Tutmosis III, Hatshepsut. Egypt in Canaan.  Slides. *Quiz 10.
For Wed: Read Pritchard 226-230, 262-7; Psalm 104. 
Asst. 12 (for Wed): Reflect on Akhenaten's innovations & aftermath.
W (Mar. 12)- Amarna Period - discuss Akhenaten's heresy, and erasure from history. King Tut. Slides.
For Fri: Read Exodus 1-15, Pritchard 231, 258-9.
F (Mar. 14)- 19th Dynasty - Rameses II and the Israelite Exodus in a New Kingdom context. 

Week 9:  The Hittites in Anatolia (1800-1200): Kuhrt ch. 5
For Mon: Read Kuhrt 5a,b,c. 
Asst. 13 (for Mon. or Wed.): Choose a substantial primary text from the section and comment on it.
M (Mar. 17): Hittite Old Kingdom - Hattusili, Mursili, Telepinu.  *Quiz 11.
For Wed: Read Kuhrt 5d,e.
W (Mar. 19): Hittite Empire - Suppiluliuma, Mursili II, Muwatalli, Hattusili III. *Quiz 12.
F (Mar. 21): Hittite-Egyptian burnout; Sea Peoples & Israelites: end of LB civilization.

Week 10: Syria & Levant - Hurrians, Ugarit; Kassite Babylonia. 
For Mon:  Read Kuhrt 6a, 6b.  Briefly characterize only Mitanni for period outline summary. 
Asst. 14 (for Mon): Comment on the Shattiwaza treaty.  
M (Mar. 24)- Hurrians and Ugarit. *Quiz 13.
For Wed: Read Pritchard 92-132, 185-187, 209-214, 262-277; Judges, 2Samuel 5; skim 1Kings 1 – 2Kings 14. 
W (Mar. 26)- A bit of biblical history: exodus, conquest, Philistines, tribal league, early monarchy.
For Fri:  Read Kuhrt 7a, 7d. 
F (Mar. 28)- Kuhrt ch. 7: Kassite Babylonia (1600-900), 7a & 7d. *Quiz 14.

Iron Age and Persian Empire (1200 - 333 BCE): Kuhrt ch. 9 - 13

Week 11: The Neo-Assyrian Empire (934-610): Kuhrt ch. 9 (+7b for background)
For Mon: Read Kuhrt 7b and ch. 9.  
M (Mar. 31)- The Neo-Assyrian Empire.  Small groups, work through chapter.  *Quiz 15.
Asst. 15 (for Wed):  Choose one major ruler for a more extended biography to present in class.
W (Apr. 2)-  Biographical presentations, in groups.
For Fri: Read 2Kings 15-21, Pritchard pp. 188-202.
F (Apr. 4)- Israel in the Assyrian Crisis.  Shalmaneser, Tiglath-Pileser, Sargon, Sennacherib. Slides.

Week 12: Babylonia and the Neo-Babylonia Empire (900–539): Kurht ch. 11
For Mon: Read Kuhrt ch. 11.  
M (Apr. 7):  Babylon in the Assyrian period. Small groups, work through chapter. *Quiz 16.
Asst. 16 (for Wed): Write a short biographical sketch of Nebuchadnezar.
W (Apr. 9): Discuss the fall of the Assyrian Empire and the character of Nebuchadnezar (11d).  
For Fri: Read Pritchard pp. 202-203, 2Kings 22-25, Daniel 1-6.
F (Apr. 11): Israel’s fall and exile. Slides.

Week 13: Egyptian 3rd Intermediate and Saite Periods (1000-525): Kuhrt ch. 12
For Mon: Read Kuhrt 12a. 
Asst. 17 (for Mon.): Discuss some aspect of the Napatan Kingdom.
M (Apr. 14): 3rd Intermediate period (1000-664). Piye, “Tirhaqa,” Sudanese Pyramids.*Quiz 17.
For Wed: Read Kuhrt 12b. 
Asst. 18 (for Wed): Discuss the power politics/strategies/alliances of the Apries/Amasis struggle.
W (Apr. 16): Dyn 26 - Saite Period (664-525). Psammetichus, Necho, Apries/Amasis. *Quiz 18.
F (Apr. 18): Good Friday - No Class.

Week 14: Persian period (539-330): Kuhrt ch. 13.
For Mon: Read Kuhrt 13a,13b,13c. Pritchard pp. 203-208.
Asst. 19 (for Mon): Discuss the nature of Cyrus' takeover of Babylon from Nabonidus & sources.
M (Apr. 21): Cyrus and the Persian Empire. *Quiz 19. *Review sheets.
For Wed: Read Kuhrt 13d, 13e; Ezra 1-7, Esther.
Asst. 20 (for Wed): Comment on the significance of the Behistun relief. 
W (Apr. 23): Achaemenid Persia.  Israel in the Persian Period. Slides. *Quiz 20.  
For Fri: Review Kuhrt 4-7, 9, 11-13, and notes. Hittite, Kassite, N.Ass, N.B.; Persian, Alex in 333!
F (Apr. 25): Review for final exam. ANE Jeopardy, part 2, plus essay questions. 

A two-hour Final Exam, covering the entire course, will follow during Exam Period (20% of final grade).
The first half of the exam will be in midterm style, on the second half of the course.
The second half of the exam will be essay format, on major themes from the entire course.

A Note on Workload:  College courses require preparation – on average three hours of preparation for every one hour in class.  At Lycoming College the standard is 10 hours of preparation time per week per course, not including class time.  This is more than a full-time job!  However, given the high amount you pay for your education, you will not get out of it what you deserve unless you put in the time and do the preparation.

A Note on Academic Dishonesty:  Academic Dishonesty is a serious offense at Lycoming College and in this class.  Academic Dishonesty includes failing to give credit to sources used (otherwise known as Plagiarism).  This would include copying material from books, articles, web sites or another student’s work without citing your source, whether on a formal paper or a short assignment.  You are allowed to discuss assignments together, but when it comes to writing out your answers, you must do your own work and use your own words.  If I receive two written assignments or period outline summaries containing substantially identical wording, BOTH will receive an “F.” If I receive assignments containing substantial amounts of material copied from any source (other students’ papers, books, articles, web sites, etc.) without proper citation and credit being given, that student will receive an “F” on the assignment and will be reported to the Dean.  According to school policy, a second infraction of this type in any course at Lycoming College may result in expulsion from the school.  If you do not clearly understand what this means or what plagiarism is, please come and talk to me about it and I will be glad to explain.