Near Eastern Languages
and Civilizations

Counselor of Undergraduate Studies: Peter Dorman, Or 220, 702-9533,
p-dorman@uchicago.edu
Departmental Secretary: Or 212, 702-9512, ne-lc@uchicago.edu
World Wide Web: http://humanities.uchicago.edu/nelc/

Program of Study

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 concentration 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,

Modern Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish)

Near Eastern Judaica

Program Requirements

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

HUMA 20000-20100-20200. Judaic Civilization I, II, III

MDJS 28000-28100-28200. Medieval Jewish History I, II, III

NECV 21100-21200-21300. Near Eastern Civilization I, II, III

NEHT 20100-20200-20300. History of the Ancient Near East I, II, III

NEHT 28600-28700-28800. History of the Islamic Middle East I, II, III

SOSC 22000-22100. 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.

Summary of Requirements

College demonstrated competence in a modern

Language foreign language equivalent to

Requirement one year of college-level study

Concentration 6 quarters in a Near Eastern language (credit must be earned by course registration only, not by placement)

2 or 3 approved civilization sequence*

4 or 3 courses related to the Near East

12

* 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. To be eligible for honors, students must make application before the end of the third year to the counselor of undergraduate studies. Students must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better and must 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 29900 or Near Eastern Languages 29900, 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.

Faculty

KAGAN ARIK, Lecturer, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and the College

ROBERT D. BIGGS, Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World, and the College

Menachem Brinker, Henry Crown Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Committee on Jewish Studies, and the College

John A. Brinkman, Charles H. Swift Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and Oriental Institute

STUART CREASON, Lecturer, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and the College

Robert Dankoff, Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and the College

Fred M. Donner, Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, and the College; Chairman, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations

Peter F. Dorman, Associate Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, and the College

Walter Farber, Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, and the College

Ariela Finkelstein, Senior Lecturer, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Committee on Jewish Studies, and the College

Cornell Fleischer, Kanunî Süleyman Professor of Ottoman & Modern Turkish Studies, Departments of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and History, and the College

McGuire Gibson, Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and Oriental Institute

Norman Golb, Ludwig Rosenberger Professor of Jewish History & Civilization, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, and the College

Gene B. Gragg, Professor, Departments of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and Linguistics, Oriental Institute, Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World, and the College; Director, Oriental Institute

STEFAN HEIDEMANN, Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, and the College

Harry A. Hoffner, John A. Wilson Professor Emeritus, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, and the College

Janet H. Johnson, Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World, and the College

Wadad Kadi, Avalon Foundation Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and the College

Mustapha Kamal, Instructor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and the College

Rashid Khalidi, Professor, Departments of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and History, and the College; Director, Center for International Studies

Heshmat Moayyad, Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and the College

Farouk Mustafa, Professorial Lecturer, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and the College; Associate Director, Center for Middle Eastern Studies

HAKAN ÖZOGLU, Lecturer, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and the College

Dennis G. Pardee, Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, Committees on the Ancient Mediterranean World and Jewish Studies, and the College

John R. Perry, Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and the College

MONTSERRAT RABADAN-CARRASCOSA, Lecturer, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and the College

ROBERT RITNER, Associate Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World, and the College

Martha T. Roth, Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, Committees on the Ancient Mediterranean World and Jewish Studies, and the College

David Schloen, Assistant Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, Committees on the Ancient Mediterranean World and Jewish Studies, and the College

HOLLY SHISSLER, Assistant Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and the College

Matthew W. Stolper, John A. Wilson Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World, and the College; Chairman, Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World

THEO VAN DEN HOUT, Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, and the College

DONALD WHITCOMB, Research Associate (Associate Professor), Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and Oriental Institute

TONY J. WILKINSON, Research Associate (Associate Professor), Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and Oriental Institute

John E. Woods, Professor, Departments of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and History, and the College; Director, Center for Middle Eastern Studies

K. Aslihan Yener, Associate Professor, Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, Oriental Institute, Committee on the Ancient Mediterranean World, and the College

Courses

Courses numbered 10000-19900 are general education and introductory courses. Courses numbered 20000-29900 are intermediate, advanced, or upper-level courses and are intended for undergraduates. Courses numbered 30000 and above are graduate courses and are available to undergraduate students only with the consent of the instructor. Undergraduates registered for 30000-level courses will be held to the graduate-level requirements. To register for courses that are cross listed as both undergraduate and graduate (20000/30000), undergraduates must use the undergraduate number (20000).

Akkadian

20100-20200-20300. Elementary Akkadian I, II, III (=AKKD 20100-20200-20300, ANST 22200-22300-22400). This three-quarter sequence covers 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.

Arabic and Islam

20100-20200-20300. Elementary Arabic I, II, III. This 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.

20400-20500-20600. Intermediate Arabic I, II, III. PQ: ARAB 20300 or equivalent. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

26600. Survey of Classical Arabic Literature. PQ: Knowledge of Arabic helpful but not required. This course examines 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. Spring.

26900. Survey of Modern Arabic Literature in Translation. This lecture/discussion course examines modern Arabic literature with a focus on selected topics, themes, and genres. Literary works are placed in the larger context of Arab society, history, and culture. Texts in English. F. Mustafa. Spring. Not offered 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

Aramaic

25100-25200-25300. Elementary Syriac I, II, III. The purpose of this three-quarter sequence is to enable the student to read Syriac literature with a high degree of comprehension. The course is divided into two segments. The first two quarters are devoted to acquiring the essentials of Syriac grammar and vocabulary. The third quarter is spent reading a variety of Syriac prose and poetic texts and includes a review of grammar. S. Creason. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

26000-26100-26200. Targum I, II, III. PQ: ARAM 25400. Reading and analysis of targumic texts from the Babylonian and Palestinian traditions. D. Pardee. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

Armenian Studies

One or two courses in Armenian Studies are usually offered each year. Although specific courses change yearly, topics have included Armenian art and architecture, history, linguistics, and music. This program is made possible through the United Armenian Cultural Association/The Ara and Edna Dumanian Foundation Endowment Fund.

Egyptology

20100-20200. 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. R. Ritner. Autumn, Winter.

20300-21100. Middle Egyptian Texts I, II. PQ: EGYP 20100-20200. This course features readings in a variety of genres, including historical, literary, and scientific texts. R. Ritner, Spring (20300); P. Dorman, Autumn (21100).

21200. Introduction to Hieratic. PQ: EGYP 20100-20300 required; EGYP 21100 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. P. Dorman. Winter.

21300. Introduction to Old Egyptian. PQ: EGYP 20100-20300 required; EGYP 21100 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. P. Dorman. Spring.

22100. 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. J. Johnson. Autumn.

22200. Coptic Texts. PQ: EGYP 22100. This course builds on the basics of grammar learned in EGYP 22100 and provides readings in a variety of Coptic texts, including monastic texts, biblical excerpts, tales, and Gnostic literature. P. Dorman. Winter.

22300. Introduction to Late Egyptian. PQ: EGYP 20100-20300 required; EGYP 21100 recommended. 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 EGYP 33100. J. Johnson. Spring.

Hebrew

20100-20200-20300. Introductory Modern Hebrew I, II, III (=HEBR 20100-20200-20300, JWSC 25000-25100-25200, LGLN 20100-20200-20300). 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.

20400-20500-20600. Intermediate Modern Hebrew I, II, III (=HEBR 20400-20500-20600, JWSC 25300-25400-25500, LGLN 20400-20500-20600). PQ: HEBR 20300 or equivalent. The course is devised for students who have 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.

23000-23100-23200. Advanced Modern Hebrew I, II, III (=HEBR 23000-23100-23200, JWSC 25600-25700-25800, LGLN 22900-23000-23100). PQ: HEBR 20600 or equivalent. 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.

25000-25100-25200. Elementary Classical Hebrew I, II, III (=HEBR 25000-25100-25200, JWSC 22000-22100-22200). 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. S. Creason. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

25300-25400-25500. Intermediate Classical Hebrew I, II, III (=HEBR 25300-25400-25500, JWSC 22300-22400-22500/30500). PQ: HEBR 25200 or equivalent. A continuation of Elementary Classical Hebrew. The first quarter consists of reviewing grammar, and of reading and analyzing 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.

25900-26000. Tannaitic Hebrew Texts I, II. PQ: Some basic knowledge of biblical and/or modern Hebrew, and consent of instructor. This course consists of readings in the Mishnah and Tosefta, the main corpus of legal and juridical texts assembled by the Palestinian academic masters during the second and early third centuries. The goal of the course is threefold: (1) to introduce students to the views and opinions of early rabbinic scholars who flourished in the period immediately following that of the writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls; (2) to acquaint them with aspects of the material culture of the Palestinian Jews during that same period; and (3) to introduce them to the grammar and vocabulary of what is generally called "early rabbinic Hebrew" and thereby to facilitate their ability to read and understand unvocalized Hebrew texts. N. Golb. Autumn, Winter.

27000. Hebrew Letters and Inscriptions. PQ: HEBR 25200. D. Pardee. Autumn.

27100. Phoenician Inscriptions. PQ: HEBR 27000. D. Pardee. Winter.

27200. Punic Inscriptions. PQ: HEBR 27100. D. Pardee. Spring.

28000-28100. Poetry in Israel I, II (=HEBR 28000-28100, JWSC 28000-28100). PQ: Ability to read Hebrew highly recommended. This course is a survey of Israeli poetry from the late forties (and the establishment of the state) onward. Poetic, thematic, and ideological changes introduced into the tradition of Hebrew poetry are analyzed. The course focuses on several major Israeli poets: Gilboa, Kovner, Amichai, Zach, Pagis, and Rabikovitch. M. Brinker. Autumn, Winter.

36800-36900. Hebrew Bible Today in Research and Literature I, II (=HEBR 36800-36900, JWSC 33700-33800). M. Brinker. Autumn, Winter.

Hittite Cuneiform

22000-22100-22200. Elementary Hittite I, II, III (=HITT 22000-22100-22200, LGLN 34600-34700-34800). This three-quarter sequence covers the basic grammar and cuneiform writing system of the Hittite language. It also familiarizes the student with the field's tools (i.e., dictionaries, lexica, and sign list). Readings come from all periods of Hittite history (1650-1180 B.C.). T. van den Hout. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

38200. Lycian. PQ: Consent of instructor. This course introduces the grammar and writing system of the Lycian language of the first millennium B.C. (ca. 500-300). After reading a series of tomb inscriptions, we venture into the larger historical inscriptions that include the Lycian-Greek-Aramaic trilingual of Xanthos. T. van den Hout. Winter.

Medieval Jewish Studies

28000-28100-28200. Medieval Jewish History I, II, III (=HUMA 23000-23100-23200, JWSC 23000-23100-23200, MDJS 28000-28100-28200). 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 communities 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 from the eleventh through the fifteenth century. N. Golb. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

Near Eastern Archaeology

20100-20200-20300-20400-20500. 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 2001-02 include Syria-Palestine (Autumn) and Egypt (Spring).

20100. Art and Archaeology of the Near East I: The Archaeology of Mesopotamia. This course introduces the culture of Mesopotamia from the Neolithic period to the introduction of Islam. Because Mesopotamia was the area in which civilization first came into being, the theoretical and artifactual aspects of this process form a major part of the course. The subsequent oscillation between development and collapse of complex society in Mesopotamia is presented. Although geographically centered in modern Iraq, Mesopotamian archaeology touches upon parts of Iran, Arabia, Syria, Anatolia, Palestine, and Egypt. M. Gibson. Not offered 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

20200. Art and Archaeology of the Near East II: The Art History and Archaeology of Anatolia. This lecture series focuses on the archaeological heritage of Anatolia within the context of important technological, environmental, and cultural changes taking place from the Paleolithic period through the end of the Early Bronze Age. The origin of agricultural production, the emergence of complex states, and the first empires are highlighted. The sites of Çayönü, Çatal Hüyük, Hacilar, Alaca Höyük, Troy, and Kurdu are some of the featured topics and places covered. A. Yener. Not offered 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

20300. Art and Archaeology of the Near East III: Introduction to Islamic Archaeology. This course surveys the region of the fertile crescent from the ninth to the nineteenth century. We aim for a comparative stratigraphy for the archaeological periods of the last millennium. The primary focus is on the consideration of the historical archaeology of the Islamic lands, the interaction of history and archaeology, and the study of patterns of cultural interaction over this region, which may also amplify understanding of the ancient archaeological periods of the Near East. D. Whitcomb. Not offered 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

20400. Art and Archaeology of the Near East IV: The Archaeology of Palestine and Syria (=ANST 27500, NEAR 20400). This course surveys the archaeology of ancient Palestine and Syria (encompassing the territory of modern Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and western Syria) from the Paleolithic period to the Roman era, with emphasis on the culture of ancient Israel. D. Schloen. Autumn.

20500. Art and Archaeology of the Near East V: The Archaeology of Egypt. This course provides a general survey of the art and architecture of the ancient Near East from the Neolithic through the Ptolemaic periods. Staff. Spring.

23700. Late Levant: Islamic Archaeology of Syria-Palestine. D. Whitcomb. Autumn.

35000-35100. Method and Theory in Near Eastern Archaeology I, II. 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 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

35900. Jazirat al-Arab: Islamic Archaeology of Arabia. This course is an exploration of the cultural patterns in Arabia from the pre-Islamic to the pre-modern periods. The subject matter is archaeological sites of this period within the Arabian peninsula (Jazirat al-Arab), with separate consideration of settlement patterns in the Hijaz, Southwest Arabia, and eastern Arabia (Bahrain and Oman). The focus is the role of archaeology in understanding the beginnings of Islam and the cultural role of Arabia in Islamic history. D. Whitcomb. Not offered 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

Near Eastern Civilizations

21100-21200-21300. Near Eastern Civilization I, II, III. This sequence meets the general education requirement in civilization studies. This sequence introduces students to central aspects of Near Eastern civilization through the examination of textual and archaeological evidence from key regions and periods. Not offered 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

22000-22100. Introduction to Islamic Civilization I, II (=NECV 22000-22100, SOSC 22000-22100). This sequence meets the general education requirement in civilization studies. 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.

22000. Introduction to Islamic Civilization I. The first quarter (roughly 600 to 1100) concentrates on the career of the Prophet Muhammad; Qur'an and Hadith; the Caliphate; the development of Islamic legal, theological, philosophical, and mystical discourses; sectarian movements; and Arabic literature. W. Kadi. Autumn.

22100. Introduction to Islamic Civilization II. The second quarter (roughly 1100 to 1800) surveys Islamic political, social, and cultural development in the eras of the Crusades, the Mongol invasions, and the "gunpowder empires" of the Ottomans, the Safavids, and the Mughals, as represented in works of Arabic, Persian, and Turkish literature (in translation) and the art and architecture of selected regions. R. Dankoff. Winter.

29700. Reading and Research 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.

29900. 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.

Near Eastern History

20100-20200-20300. History of the Ancient Near East I, II, III (=ANST 21300-21400-21500, NEHT 20100-20200-20300). This sequence meets the general education requirement in civilization studies. 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. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

21700. Contemporary Central Asia (=HIST 25600/35600, NEHT 21700, TURK 27000). This course follows TURK 24300 (Turkic Peoples of Central Asia) with an emphasis on the current affairs of the modern nation-states of Central Asia. K. Arik. Winter.

23400/33400. 1905: The Age of Constitutional Revolutions in the Middle East and Russian Transcaucasia (=HIST 23900/33900, NEHT 23400/33400). H. Shissler. Winter.

23900/33900. The Renaissance East and West (=HIST 23100/33100, NEHT 23900/33900). PQ: Advanced standing. This course examines the Renaissance (ca. 1400 to 1600) as a global rather than purely Western European phenomenon. We emphasize comparison and interaction between Christendom and Islamdom. C. Fleischer. Spring.

28600-28700-28800/38600-38700-38800. History of the Islamic Middle East: 600 to the Present (=HIST 25700-25800-25900/35700-35800-35900, NEHT 28600-28700-28800/38600-38700-38800). 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.

28600/38600. History of the Islamic Middle East I: The Rise of Islam and the Caliphate (=HIST 25700/35700, NEHT 28600/38600). The course covers the period ca. 600 to 1100 C.E., including the rise and spread of Islam, the Islamic empire under the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphs, and the emergence of regional Islamic states from Afghanistan and eastern Iran to North Africa and Spain. Staff. Autumn.

28700/38700. History of the Islamic Middle East II: 1200 to 1700 (=HIST 25800/35800, NEHT 28700/38700). This course surveys the main trends in the political history of the Middle (Near) East, including North Africa, Central Asia, and North India, with some attention to currents in economic, social, and cultural history. We cover the "middle periods," ca. 1000 to 1750 C.E., including the arrival of the Steppe Peoples (Turks and Mongols), the Mongol successor states, and the Mamluks of Egypt and Syria. We also study the foundation of the great Islamic regional empires of the Ottomans, Safavids, and Moghuls. J. Woods. Winter.

28800/38800. History of the Islamic Middle East III: The Modern Middle East (=HIST 25900/35900, NEHT 28800/38800). The course covers the period ca. 1750 to the present, including Western military, economic, and ideological encroachment, the impact of such ideas as nationalism and liberalism, efforts at reform in the Islamic states, the emergence of the "modern" Middle East in the aftermath of World War I, the struggle for liberation from Western colonial and imperial control, the Middle Eastern states in the cold war era, and local and regional conflicts (e.g., Israel-Palestine, the "Arab Cold War," and Iraq-Iran). H. Shissler. Spring.

32500. Modernization of the Ottoman Empire I (=HIST 46000, NEHT 32500). PQ: Advanced standing and consent of instructor. H. Shissler. Autumn.

32900. History of the Mongol World Empire (=HIST 45800, NEHT 32900). PQ: Consent of instructor. J. Woods. Spring.

35200-35300. The Ottoman World in the Age of Süleyman the Magnificent I, II (=HIST 78200, NEHT 35200-35300). PQ: Advanced standing and consent of instructor. This sequence is a two-quarter seminar. C. Fleischer. Autumn, Winter.

Near Eastern Languages

29700. Reading and Research 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.

29900. 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.

36500. Hurrian. PQ: Consent of instructor. This course provides an introduction to Hurrian grammar. Text samples from various periods and origins (i.e., Tish-Adal inscription, the Hurrian-Hittite bilingual from Boghazköy, the Mittani Letter, and Ras-Shamra Vocabulary) are analyzed and read. G. Gragg, T. van den Hout. Spring.

Persian

20100-20200-20300. Elementary Persian I, II, III. This 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.

20400-20500-20600. Intermediate Persian I, II, III. PQ: PERS 20300. J. Perry. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

20700. Women in Persian Literature. Persian literature, both classical and modern, offers a glimpse of how poets and writers (the latter group in modern short stories) treated and presented women. Particularly fascinating are the women in Ferdowsi's Shahnameh (the Iranian national epic) and Nezami's romances, as well as Vis, the counterpart of the European Isolde, in Gorgani's romance. Several classical and modern women poets and writers are also presented. H. Moayyad. Not offered 2001-02; will be offered 2002-03.

Sumerian Cuneiform

20100-20200-20300. Elementary Sumerian I, II, III. PQ: AKKD 20100. This sequence covers the elements of Sumerian grammar, with reading exercises in Ur III, pre-Sargonic, and elementary literary texts. Staff. Autumn (20300), Winter (20100), Spring (20200).

Turkish

20100-20200-20300. 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 five hours a week. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

20400-20500-20600. Intermediate Turkish I, II, III. PQ: TURK 20300 or equivalent. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

25600-25700-25800. Elementary Uzbek I, II, III. This sequence enables students to reach an intermediate level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing modern literary Uzbek, the most widely spoken Turkic language after Turkish. Students learn both the older Cyrillic and the recently implemented Latin script versions of the written language. K. Arik. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

27000. Contemporary Central Asia (=HIST 25600/35600, NEHT 21700, TURK 27000). This course follows TURK 24300 (Turkic Peoples of Central Asia) with an emphasis on the current affairs of the modern nation-states of Central Asia. K. Arik. Winter.

27100. Shamans and Epic Poets of Central Asia. This course follows TURK 24400 (Musical Folklore of Central Asia) and explores the rituals, oral literature, and music associated with the nomadic peoples of Central Asia. K. Arik. Spring.

28000-28100-28200. Intermediate Uzbek I, II, III. PQ: TURK 25800 or equivalent. This sequence enables students to reach an advanced level of proficiency in modern literary Uzbek. The curriculum includes a selection of Uzbek literature, as well as excerpts from Uzbek media. K. Arik. Autumn, Winter, Spring.