Module CLAS2921: The Literature & Language of Ancient Babylon: An Introduction

Department: Classics and Ancient History

CLAS2921: The Literature & Language of Ancient Babylon: An Introduction

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• The aims of the course are to introduce students to the language and literature of the ancient Babylonians.
• and to enable them to engage meaningfully with an important and highly influential body of ancient texts within their cultural context.

Content

• This course offers an introduction to the language and literature of ancient Babylon.
• Weekly classes provide an introduction to the basic grammatical concepts of Akkadian (Old Babylonian) grammar.
• On alternate weeks, the language classes are supplemented with thematic seminars on such issues as the religious background of Babylonial literary production, Sumero-Akkadian bilingualism, the cuneiform writing system, genres of text, performance contexts, and the status of writing in a largely oral/aural culture.

Learning Outcomes

• A knowledge of the key texts of Babylonian literature, of the contexts in which they were written and read, and of modern approaches to them; a knowledge of the Akkadian language sufficient to enable the student to begin reading continuous texts in the original language.

• An ability to interpret a group of diverse and complex texts on the cusp of literature, theology and philosophy; to place those texts in their cultural and historical context; and to read extracts from at least one of those texts in the original language with the help of sign lists and vocabulary lists.

• An ability to engage in an informed and sophisticated way with the literature and language of an alien culture; a capacity to sustain a clear, well-structured and well-defended argument in written form; the skills needed to plan, execute and evaluate an oral presentation in a seminar setting.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• This course offers an introduction to the language and literature of ancient Babylon.
• Classes (2x weekly) provide an introduction to the basic grammatical concepts of Akkadian (Old Babylonian) grammar and Neo-Assyrian cuneiform.
• In addition to studying the language, the classes include thematic seminars on the various genres of Akkadian literature, including narrative epics, divination, religious compositions and scientific texts.
• The course is assessed by one 3,000-word commentary (40%), exploring in greater detail a passage treated in the thematic seminars, and by a two-hour language exam (60%) which tests linguistic knowledge of Akkadian.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

One formative exercise