General provisions

The course is given as an independent course. The course can be counted to the minor subject Assyriology in a Bachelor's degree.

Entry requirements

Assyriology A and at least 22.5 credits from Assyriology B

Learning outcomes

The education intends to give specialisation and broadening of the ability to read and interpret Akkadian cuneiform texts.

Further to give a certain increased ability to read and interpret Sumerian cuneiform texts and/or an advanced knowledge of the older history and culture of the Near East.

On completion of the course, the student should to deserve the grade Pass at least be able to:

• master an extended selection of basic cuneiform sign from different periods (module 1-3);
• master a specialisation of Akkadian phonology, morphology, and syntax (module 1-3);
• transliterate, transcribe read, translate and analyse grammatically and content-wise cuneiform texts in Akkadian (Standard Babylonian, Old Babylonian and possibly other dialects) of some different genres (module 1-3);
• write a minor essay or a short academic paper (module 4) over an especially studied problem and thereby
• under supervision carry out a short study departing from a non-trivial problem within the subject area;
• under supervision find for the assignment relevant literature, and read and make correct reviews of relevant parts of this literature;
• present the results of this study in writing in an essay structured in accordance with the problem, the results and the supporting argumentation, written on a more or less grammatically correct prose;
• follow established formal conventions regarding structure and typography and in a correct way quote and refer to sources and write references and bibliography;
• present and discuss such a study for an audience of equal students orally;
• in modules where applicable, master a degree of specialisation of Sumerian phonology, morphology, and syntax and be able to transliterate, read, translate, and grammatically and content-wise analyse cuneiform texts in Sumerian of some different content-based types on an elementary level (module 1-3);
• in modules where applicable, account for principles of historical processes, archaeology, culture and/or religion in the ancient Near East, mainly in Mesopotamia (module 1-3);
• in module where applicable, master the essentials of another ancient language or another dialect and its phonology, morphology, and syntax and be able to read, translate and make an elementary grammatical and content-based analysis of simple texts in this language (module 1-3)

Content

The course consists of the following four modules:

Module 1 Standard Babylonian text (7.5 credits)

With regard to which courses are taught during the current semester the student in consultation with examiner may choose one of the following, previously not studied modules:

Standard Babylonian historical text I (=Assyriology B, module 1)

Standard Babylonian literary text I (=Assyriology B, module 1)

Standard Babylonian historical text II: Reading of 350 lines of historical text from Assyria

Standard Babylonian literary text II: Reading of 350 lines of Standard Babylonian literary or religious text

If three of these modules have already been completed, another of the alternatives under module 3 can be chosen as module 1.

Module 2 Old Babylonian text (7.5 credits)

With regard to which courses are taught during the current semester the student in consultation with examiner may choose one of the following, previously not studied modules:

Old Babylonian letters and documents I (=Assyriology B, module 3, alternative) or

Old Babylonian laws and historical text I (=Assyriology B, module 3, alternative)

If one of these modules has already been completed under Assyriology A, module 3, or Assyriology B, module 3 or 4, one of the alternatives under module 3 can be chosen as module 2.

Module 3

With regard to field of interest and with regard to which courses are taught during the current semester the student in consultation with examiner will choose one of the following optional courses that have not been studied previously.

Old Babylonian laws and historical text I (7.5 credits) (= module 2, alternative)

Old Babylonian laws and historical text II (7.5 credits)

Old Babylonian letters and documents I (7.5 credits) (= module 2, alternative)

Old Babylonian letters and documents II (7.5 credits)

Sumerian II (7.5 credits)

Standard Babylonian historical text II (7.5 credits) (= module 1, alternative)

Standard Babylonian historical text III (7.5 credits)

Standard Babylonian literary text II (7.5 credits) (= module 1, alternative)

Middle Babylonian letters and documents I (7.5 credits)

Ancient Near East: Archaeology and art (7.5 credits)

Ancient Near East: History (7.5 credits)

Ancient Near East: Religion (7.5 credits)

Other language or other dialect in the ancient Near East (7.5 credits)

For the optional courses see above module 1-2, including optional course or the separate introductory courses on the Ancient Near East, respectively.

Module 4 Specialised course (7.5 credits)

In consultation with examiner, the student chooses an advanced course with Akkadian or Sumerian text or within cultural history. In this course, a short essay or minor paper is normally included.

Instruction

The student's independent learning activities are of crucial importance for the work on the course. Participation in all the teaching is recommended. Good preparations for and active participation in each lecture is required when studying language and text.

Assessment

Examination takes place through written or oral tests and through continuous assessment during the course.

To receive the grade Pass with distinction on the whole course, it is required that this grade has been received on at least 22.5 credits.

Other regulations

The course may not be included in a higher education qualification as an independent course if equivalent parts have been studied within another course that is included in the higher education qualification.