The programs for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations are as varied as the wide subject matter they embrace. In consultation with their advisers, students work out a program that meets their cultural interests and provides a sound basis for graduate work. Students select an area of specialization that explores their interests. These areas include:

Archaeology and Art of the Ancient Near East
Classical Hebrew Language and Civilization
Cuneiform Studies (including Assyriology, Hittitology, and Sumerology)
Egyptian Languages and Civilization
Islamic and Modern Middle Eastern Studies (including Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Modern Hebrew)
Near Eastern Judaica

Twelve courses are required in the concentration. All students must take one of the two- or three-quarter sequences that introduce the specialization. These sequences include:

Hum 200-201-202. Judaic Civilization I, II, III
MdvJSt 280-281-282. Medieval Jewish History I, II, III
NECiv 211-212-213. Near Eastern Civilization I, II, III
NEHist 201-202-203. History of the Ancient Near East I, II, III
SocSci 220-221. Introduction to Islamic Civilization I, II

Normally, students take a two-year long sequence in one of the Near Eastern languages (e.g., Akkadian, Arabic, Egyptian, or Hebrew). The rest of the course program, including other language arrangements, should be planned in light of special interests and needs. Students planning to do advanced work in Near Eastern studies are strongly encouraged to develop a reading knowledge of German and French. Students should consult the counselor of undergraduate studies for approval of the program.

* If a Near Eastern civilization sequence is used to fulfill the general education requirement, a second Near Eastern civilization sequence is required for the concentration.

Grading. The program in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations uses letter grading only. No P/N or P/F grading is allowed. Students intending to work for an advanced degree should maintain at least a B average in the field of specialization.

Honors Program. An honors program is open, upon application before the end of the third year to the counselor of undergraduate studies, to superior students with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better who wish to develop an extended piece of research through a senior honors paper under the supervision of a faculty member. One or two quarters of Near Eastern Civilizations 299 or Near Eastern Languages 299, which can be counted toward concentration requirements, may be devoted to preparing the senior honors paper. For a student to be recommended for honors, the paper must first be recommended by the faculty member who supervised the work. The completed paper must be submitted to the counselor of undergraduate studies no later than the fifth week of the quarter in which the student expects to graduate.

ROBERT RITNER, Associate Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and Oriental Institute

201-202-203. Elementary Akkadian I, II, III. This is a three-quarter sequence covering the elements of Babylonian grammar and the cuneiform writing system, with reading exercises in Old Babylonian texts (ca. 1900 to 1600 B.C.E.), such as the Laws of Hammurabi. W. Farber. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

201-202-203. Elementary Arabic I, II, III. This course sequence concentrates on the acquisition of speaking, reading, and aural skills in modern formal Arabic. The class meets for six hours a week. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

204-205-206. Intermediate Arabic I, II, III. PQ: Arab/I 203 or equivalent. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

266. Survey of Classical Arabic Literature. PQ: Knowledge of Arabic helpful but not required. This course studies classical Arabic literature in translation. The major trends in poetry and prose are reviewed, with a special focus on a few outstanding names. Classes conducted in English. M. Kamal. Winter.

201-202. Introduction to Middle Egyptian Hieroglyphs I, II. PQ: Second-year standing. This course examines hieroglyphic writing and the grammar of the language of classical Egyptian literature. P. Dorman. Autumn, Winter.

203-211. Middle Egyptian Texts I, II. This course features readings in a variety of genres, including historical, literary, and scientific texts. P. Dorman, J. Johnson. Autumn (211), Spring (203).

212. Introduction to Hieratic. PQ: Egypt 201-203 required; Egypt 211 recommended. This course is an introduction to the cursive literary and administrative script of Middle Egyptian (corresponding to the Middle Kingdom period in Egypt) and is intended to provide the student with a familiarity with a variety of texts written in hieratic, including literary tales, religious compositions, wisdom literature, letters, accounts, and graffiti. J. Johnson. Winter.

213. Introduction to Old Egyptian. PQ: Egypt 201-203 required; Egypt 211 recommended. This course examines the hieroglyphic writing and grammar of the Old Kingdom (Egypt's "Pyramid Age"), focusing on monumental readings from private tombs, royal and private stelae, administrative decrees, economic documents, and Pyramid Texts. Some attention is given to Old Egyptian texts written in cursive hieratic. J. Johnson. Spring.

221. Introduction to Coptic. PQ: Knowledge of earlier Egyptian language phases or of Classical or Koine Greek helpful but not required. This course provides an introduction to the last native language of Egypt, in common use during the Roman, Byzantine, and Medieval Islamic periods (fourth to tenth centuries C.E.). Grammar and vocabulary of the standard Sahidic Dialect are presented in preparation for reading biblical, monastic, and Gnostic literature, as well as a variety of historical and social documents. R. Ritner. Autumn.

222. Coptic Texts. PQ: Egypt 221. This course builds on the basics of grammar learned in Egypt 221 and provides readings in a variety of Coptic texts, including monastic texts, biblical excerpts, tales, and Gnostic literature. R. Ritner. Winter.

223. Introduction to Late Egyptian. A comprehensive examination of the grammar, vocabulary, and orthographic styles of the nonliterary vernacular of New Kingdom Egypt (Dynasties XVIII to XXIV), as exhibited by administrative and business documents, private letters, and official monuments. The course also includes a study of the hybrid "literary Late Egyptian" used for tales and other compositions. Texts from the various genres are read and analyzed in Egypt 331. P. Dorman. Spring.

201-202-203. Introductory Modern Hebrew I, II, III (=Hebrew 201-202-203, JewStd 250-251-252, LngLin 201-202-203). This course introduces students to reading, writing, and speaking modern Hebrew. All four language skills are emphasized: comprehension of written and oral materials; reading of nondiacritical text; writing of directed sentences, paragraphs, and compositions; and speaking. Students learn the Hebrew root pattern system and the seven basic verb conjugations in both the past and present tenses, as well as simple future. At the end of the year, students can conduct short conversations in Hebrew, read materials designed to their level, and write short essays. A. Finkelstein. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

204-205-206. Intermediate Modern Hebrew I, II, III (=Hebrew 204-205-206, JewStd 253-254-255, LngLin 204-205-206). The course is devised for students who had previously taken either modern or biblical Hebrew courses. The main objective is to provide students with the skills necessary to approach modern Hebrew prose, both fiction and nonfiction. In order to achieve this task, students are provided with a systematic examination of the complete verb structure. Many syntactic structures are introduced, including simple clauses, and coordinate and compound sentences. At this level, students not only write and speak extensively, but are also required to analyze grammatically and contextually all of the material assigned. A. Finkelstein. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

230-231-232. Advanced Modern Hebrew I, II, III (=Hebrew 230-231-232, JewStd 256-257-258). This course assumes that students have full mastery of the grammatical and lexical content at the intermediate level. However, there is a shift from a reliance on the cognitive approach to an emphasis on the expansion of various grammatical and vocabulary-related subjects. Students are introduced to sophisticated and more complex syntactic constructions, and instructed how to transform simple sentences into more complicated ones. The exercises address the creative effort on the part of the student, and the reading segments are longer and more challenging in both style and content. The language of the texts reflects the literary written medium rather than the more informal spoken style, which often dominates the introductory and intermediate texts. A. Finkelstein. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

242-243. Historical Introduction to Modern Hebrew Literature I, II (=Hebrew 242-243, JewStd 242-243). This course deals with the intertextual nature of Hebrew literature in all its periods. The first quarter consists of an historical survey of the various periods of Hebrew literary creativity: the Bible, the Midrash, medieval poetry, and the modern era. The second quarter focuses on the main forms of modern Hebrew literature and the disputes concerning the beginning of modernity in Hebrew literature (the role of autobiography, the novel, and the long poem) in addition to the impact of German and Russian literatures and modern Hebrew literature as a vehicle of social criticism. M. Brinker. Autumn, Winter.

250-251-252. Elementary Classical Hebrew I, II, III (=Hebrew 250-251-252, JewStd 220-221-222). The purpose of this three-quarter sequence is to enable the student to read biblical Hebrew prose with a high degree of comprehension. The course is divided into two segments: the first two quarters are devoted to acquiring the essentials of descriptive and historical grammar (including translation to and from Hebrew, oral exercises, and grammatical analysis). The third quarter is spent examining prose passages from the Hebrew Bible and includes a review of grammar. The class meets five times a week. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

253-254-255. Intermediate Classical Hebrew I, II, III (=Hebrew 253-254-255, JewStd 223-224-225). A continuation of Elementary Classical Hebrew. The first quarter consists of a review of the grammar and of the reading and analysis of further prose texts. The last two quarters are devoted to an introduction to Hebrew poetry, with readings from Psalms, Proverbs, and the prophets. D. Pardee. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

323-324-325. Intermediate Hittite I, II, III. H. Hoffner. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

326-327-328. Advanced Hittite I, II, III. H. Hoffner. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

280-281-282. Medieval Jewish History I, II, III (=Hum 230-231-232, JewStd 230-231-232, MdvJSt 280-281-282). PQ: Consent of instructor. This three-quarter sequence deals with the history of the Jews over a wide geographical and historical range. First-quarter work is concerned with the rise of early rabbinic Judaism and development of the Jewish community in Palestine and the Eastern and Western diasporas during the first several centuries C.E. Topics include the legal status of the Jews in the Roman world, the rise of rabbinic Judaism, the rabbinic literature of Palestine in that context, the spread of rabbinic Judaism, the rise and decline of competing centers of Jewish hegemony, the introduction of Hebrew language and culture beyond the confines of their original home, and the impact of the birth of Islam on the political and cultural status of the Jews. An attempt is made to evaluate the main characteristics of Jewish belief and social concepts in the formative periods of Judaism as it developed beyond its original geographical boundaries. Second-quarter work is concerned with the Jews under Islam, both in Eastern and Western Caliphates. Third-quarter work is concerned with the Jews of Western Europe until the time of the first crusade. N. Golb. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

201-202-203-204-205. Art and Archaeology of the Near East I, II, III, IV, V. May be taken in sequence or individually. These courses present the archaeological sequences in the Near East from the Paleolithic period through the Islamic period. The archaeology of Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Syria-Palestine, and Egypt are covered. Topics for 1999-2000 include Palestine and Syria (autumn) and Egypt (winter). Staff. NEArch 204-205 offered Autumn, Winter; NEArch 201-202-203 not offered 1999-2000, will be offered 2000-2001.

350. Method and Theory in Near Eastern Archaeology. This course introduces the main issues in archaeological method and theory with emphasis on the principles and practice of Near Eastern archaeology. Topics covered are (1) the history of archaeology, (2) trends in social theory and corresponding modes of archaeological interpretation, (3) the nature of archaeological evidence and issues of research design, (4) survey and excavation methods and associated recording techniques, (5) the analysis and interpretation of various kinds of excavated materials, and (6) the presentation and publication of archaeological results. Not offered 1999-2000; will be offered 2000-2001.

Near Eastern Civilizations

211-212-213. Near Eastern Civilization I, II, III. This course sequence fulfills the civilization studies requirement in general education. May be taken in sequence or individually. This sequence introduces students to central aspects of Near Eastern civilization through the examination of textual and archaeological evidence from key regions and periods. This course is offered in alternate years. Not offered 1999-2000; will be offered 2000-2001.

220-221. Introduction to Islamic Civilization I, II (=NECiv 220-221, SocSci 220-221). This two-quarter sequence surveys the social, religious, and cultural institutions of the Islamic world, from Spain to India, and from the rise of Islam to early modern times.

297. Reading Course. PQ: Consent of faculty adviser and counselor of undergraduate studies. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

299. Senior Honors Paper. PQ: Consent of instructor and counselor of undergraduate studies. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. In consultation with a faculty member, students devote the equivalent of one or two quarter-courses to the preparation of a senior honors paper. For more information on the honors program, consult the general description in the front of this catalog section. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

201-202-203. History of the Ancient Near East I, II, III. This course sequence fulfills the civilization studies requirement in general education. This sequence surveys the history of the ancient Near East from ca. 3400 B.C. to the death of Alexander the Great (323 B.C.). Areas covered include Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Syria-Palestine, Iran, and Egypt. J. Brinkman, Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

280. History of Iran: Eighteenth to Twentieth Century. The course surveys the main political events and sociocultural trends during this period, including the career of Nadir Shah Afshar, the rise and fall of the Qajar dynasty, the influence of the West, and the Constitutional Revolution. Texts in English and the original. J. Perry. Not offered 1999-2000; will be offered 2000-2001.

286-287-288. History of the Islamic Middle East: 600 to the Present (=Hist 257-258-259/357-358-359, NEHist 286-287-288/386-387-388). May be taken in sequence or individually. This sequence surveys the main trends in the political history of the Middle East (Near East), including North Africa, with some attention to economic, social, and intellectual history.

301. Islamic Origins. PQ: NEHist 286/386 or NECiv 220. A reading/discussion course exploring the history of the Near East in the period 500 to 700 C.E., with particular emphasis on the Late Antique context for the rise of Islam, the events and issues of the earliest Islamic period (roughly first century A.H.), and the historiographical debate over the nature of early Islam. F. Donner. Winter.

302. Early Islamic Historical Tradition. PQ: NEHist 301; reading knowledge of Arabic. Training in the analysis of Arabic sources for early Islamic history, including reports from chronicles and other historical collections, Prophetic Hadith, biographical compilations, commentaries, and so on. F. Donner. Spring.

297. Reading Course. PQ: Consent of faculty adviser and counselor of undergraduate studies. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

299. Senior Honors Paper. PQ: Consent of instructor and counselor of undergraduate studies. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. In consultation with a faculty member, students devote the equivalent of one or two quarter-courses to the preparation of a senior honors paper. For details, consult the general description of the honors program in the front of this section. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

201-202-203. Elementary Persian I, II, III. The sequence concentrates on modern written Persian, with an introduction to classical literature and modern colloquial usage. Stories, articles, and poetry are read toward the end of the sequence. The class meets three hours a week with the instructor and two hours with a native informant who conducts grammatical drills and Persian conversation. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

204-205-206. Intermediate Persian I, II, III. PQ: Persn 203. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

301-302-303. Elementary Sumerian I, II, III. PQ: Akkcun 201. This sequence covers the elements of Sumerian grammar, with reading exercises in Ur III, pre-Sargonic, and elementary literary texts. M. Civil. Autumn (303), Winter (301), Spring (302).

201-202-203. Elementary Turkish I, II, III. This sequence features proficiency-based instruction emphasizing grammar in modern Turkish. The course consists of reading and listening comprehension, as well as grammar exercises and basic writing in Turkish. The instructor is assisted by a native informant who conducts grammatical drills and Turkish conversations focusing on everyday topics. Modern stories and contemporary articles are read towards the end of the sequence. The class meets for six hours a week. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

204-205-206. Intermediate Turkish I, II, III. PQ: Turk 203 or equivalent. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.