Entry requirements

Assyriology A, Assyriology B and Assyriology C

Learning outcomes

The course intends to give an advanced knowledge of Ancient Near Eastern history and culture, which may include reading and interpreting Akkadian and Sumerian cuneiform texts with considerable independence or describing and interpreting historical materials and relics in their cultural context, as well as advanced experience of scholarly work.

Module 1

a) Ancient Near Eastern cultures: Language and culture

On completion of the module, students should be able to

• reproduce the basic principles of some modern sociolinguistic theories
• discuss the use of Ancient Near Eastern writing systems in relation to early languages and language contexts
• discuss concepts such as appellation, genre and canon in an Ancient Near Eastern context, using correct linguistic and cultural history terminology
• give examples of contact phenomena such as borrowed writing systems, loan words, multilingualism and translations in the Ancient Near East and of mechanisms behind such linguistic phenomena
• on the basis of translations, approximately place given texts geographically and by text type and provide arguments for the placement
• summarise and present the fundamental features of some selected scholarly articles.

b) Ancient Near Eastern cultures: Religion

On completion of the module, students should be able to

• explain current theoretical perspectives on Ancient Near Eastern religious beliefs and practices in a basic way, using key concepts
• discuss religious concepts, characters and symbols on the basis of literary and religious works in translations and pictures
• relate historical processes to changes in central religious beliefs and practices over time
• describe the source situation for some central religious ideas and phenomena
• discuss the relationship between science and religious praxis in the Ancient Near East on the basis of some central phenomena and works in translation
• summarise and present the fundamental features of a selected book.

c) Other language or other dialect in the Ancient Near East

The basics of a cuneiform language other than Akkadian and Sumerian

On completion of the module, students should be able to

• master the essential features of the writing, phonology, morphology and syntax of another ancient language or dialect
• transliterate, read aloud, translate and make an elementary grammatical and content-based analysis of simple texts in this language
• compile a basic historical overview of the language using printed and electronic resources

Wider knowledge of Akkadian dialect (not Standard Babylonian or Old Babylonian)

On completion of the module, students should be able to

• master an extended selection of basic cuneiform signs of the dialect concerned
• master an in-depth knowledge of Akkadian phonology, morphology and syntax
• transliterate, transcribe, read aloud, translate and make a grammatical and content-based analysis of cuneiform texts in the dialect concerned
• describe the most important distinctive grammatical features of the dialect using established linguistic terminology
• compile a basic historical overview of the dialect using printed and electronic resources

Module 2. Problem formulation and scientific writing

On completion of the module, students should be able to

• understand the relationship between larger research fields and a research question that can be answered within the framework of a bachelor's thesis,
• understand and evaluate the significance of the various parts of a scientific work,
• discuss and compile a proposal for a thesis topic with an associated problem formulation,
• establish a first draft of the thesis in accordance with current guidelines.

Module 3. Degree project

On completion of the module, students should be able to

• independently identify and formulate a thesis topic in Assyriology with associated questions and theoretical perspectives,
• provide an overview of the state of research regarding the thesis topic and questions, 
• plan, structure, carry out and present an Assyriological investigation,
• select and handle textual, historical and/or archaeological source material appropriate for the essay, observing relevant source criticism and demonstrating methodological knowledge,
• independently analyse the source material and critically evaluate and interpret the results,
• write an essay with acceptable language, good readability and accuracy, in accordance with current guidelines for academic writing,
• conduct an Assyriological study within given timeframe and scope constraints,
• give and receive constructive criticism in scientific discourse.

Content

The course consists of three modules.

Module 1, 7.5 credits

Depending on field of interest and taking into account courses taught during the current semester, each student, in consultation with the examiner, chooses one of the following modules not read before:

a) Ancient Near Eastern cultures: Religion

Wide and in-depth studies of earlier knowledge concerning Ancient Near Eastern religion. A series of thematically organised lectures and seminars concentrating on Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian religion with brief consideration of neighbouring cultures. Gods and their relationship with the world, places, ideas and behavioural patterns that were shaped around them are examined and followed over time. Texts and pictures highlight the contemporary language and symbolism, which are contrasted with more recent reflections of phenomena that can be traced back to ancient Mesopotamia.

b) Ancient Near Eastern cultures: Language and culture

Wide and in-depth studies of earlier knowledge concerning the Ancient Near East's language, religion and culture. A series of thematically organised lectures and seminars with a focus on Mesopotamia in its regional context, dominant cultures, interfaces over time, education, language and important text types. Ways in which languages and written sources served as identity markers and as means of communication in and between cultures are emphasised through example texts in translation and in pictures, as well as the role Ancient Near Eastern cultures played and still continue to play in later periods.

c) Other language or dialect in the Ancient Near East

The module can 1) be read within the scope of another language subject or 2) involve a cuneiform language other than Akkadian and Sumerian and consist of the basics of its grammar and reading of 250 lines of text in cuneiform writing in this language or 3) aim at a wider knowledge of Akkadian dialect (not Standard Babylonian or Old Babylonian) and consist of a grammatical and historical overview and reading of 300 lines of text in cuneiform writing in this dialect.

Module 2. Problem formulation and scientific writing, 7.5 credits

This module trains participants to identify and define a field of research so that it results in a question that can be investigated scientifically. The focus is on the process of identifying a thesis topic, while at the same time increasing the student's understanding of what scientific writing entails and what requirements are placed on a bachelor's thesis.

Module 3. Independent project, 15 credits

The module consists of writing of a scientific thesis under supervision. The thesis must have an independently identified and well-defined research question. It must critically process, analyse and discuss a source material relevant for Assyriology.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, exercises and assessment components as well as supervision, individually and in groups. Students are entitled to receive supervision only during normal term time. Participation in all teaching sessions is recommended. Good preparation for and active participation in each teaching session are required for all sessions involving linguistic components. Absence from more than one seminar on module 1 can be made up by written assignments corresponding to the contents of the seminar concerned.

Assessment

In modules 1 and 3 the grades are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with distinction (VG). In module 2 the grades are Fail (U) and Pass (G). To receive the grade "Pass with distinction" for the complete course, a participant must have received this grade for the independent project.

The course has the assessment components stated below:

Module 1

Ancient Near East: Religion and Ancient Near East: Language and culture have two assessment components each:

1. oral presentation
2. take-home examination.

For the grade Pass, Pass is required in both components. A high degree of preparation for and active participation in each teaching session contributes to the grade on component 1. Late submission of the take-home examination is taken into consideration when grading.

When the module Other language or dialect in the Ancient Near East is read within the scope of another language subject, it is assessed in accordance with the course syllabus for the course that includes the corresponding components. When the module aims at a wider knowledge of a cuneiform language other than Akkadian and Sumerian or of Akkadian dialect, it is instead assessed through a take-home examination in the form of a minor essay of 10-12 pages. A cuneiform text that is similar to the texts studied during the course in terms of content and degree of difficulty is distributed. The text is to be treated and analysed according to instructions and placed in its historical context. Characteristic features of the language or the dialect are to be described using established linguistic terms. Late submission of the take-home examination is taken into consideration when grading.

Module 2. Problem formulation and scholarly composition, 7.5 credits

Assessment for the module takes the form of oral and/or written assessed work and through active participation in seminars.

Module 3. Independent project, 15 credits

The module is assessed through the written thesis as well as through discussion and defence of the student's own thesis and the student's critical review of another essay. The form of the critical review can vary depending on the current availability of essays for review. The thesis may be written in English or Swedish. The presentation may be held in English or Swedish.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other regulations

The course may not be included towards a degree together with the course Ancient Near East: Language and Culture or the course Ancient Near East: Religion when equivalent modules have been included in the course.