NEAR EASTERN STUDIES

130.102 (H,S)

INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN PREHISTORY: FROM NEANDERTHALS TO NEOLITHIC (3) McCarter, S. Limit 80 Emphasizing theories about human biological and cultural development, this course consists of an in-depth survey of Neanderthal morphology and culture, a brief discussion of evolutionary theory and our fossil ancestors, and concludes with an exploration of the mechanisms and results of the shift from hunting and gathering to farming.
Cross-listed with Anthropology

Sec. 01

TTh 12-1:15

130.110 (H,S)

INTRODCUTION TO ARCHAEOLOGY (3) Schwartz Limit 80 An introduction to archaeology and to archaeological method and theory, exploring how archaeologists excavate, analyze, and interpret ancient remains in order toreconstruct how ancient societies functioned. Specific examples from a variety of archaeological projects in different parts of the world will be used to illustrate techniques and principles discussed.
Cross-listed with Anthropology

Sec. 01

TTh 10:30-11:45

130.316 (H,S)

ANCIENT CITY OF THE FUTURE (3) Chomowicz/Schwartz/Maskevich Limit 9 Jointly sponsored by the Dept. of Near Eastern Studies, JHU and the Dept. of Environmental Design (MICA). The course provices an introduction to the archaeology of the ancient Near East through the study of the archaeological record and the creation of computer-generated architectural reconstructions - virtual ancient urban environments. Data are derived from the Johns Hopkins excavations at the Bronze Age site of Umm el-Marra, Syria. The class will give students an introuction to the study of early Near Eastern urban civilization and a solid background in computer-generated art and virtual architecture. Students will incorporate advanced 3-D computer rendering, as well as traditional hand-drawings, as a means of visualizing, revealing and re-creating an ancient city. Taught at MICA - Computer lab Course added 10/30/07

Sec. 01

M 9-3

130.326 (H)

EGYPTIAN RELIGION AND MYTHOLOGY (3) Jasnow   Limit 25 A survey of the Egyptian religion, including the national temple cults, personal piety pieties, and funerary cults. Sources for the various myths of creation and destruction will be read, along with documents relating to temple rituals. The course will be writing intensive with the grade largely depending on a research paper and class participation.

Sec. 01

MWF 10-10:50

130.339 (H)

READING EGYPTIAN TEMPLES: STONEWALL AS MYTHOLOGY, THEOLOGY AND IDEOLOGY (3) Ismail   Limit 25  Using the ancient Egyptian temples, this class will question how we construct the Egyptian religion and the history of the Egyptian state.
Dean’s Teaching Fellowship Course

Sec. 01

MW 12-1:15

130.346 (H)

INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF RABBINIC LITERATURE (3) Katz   Limit 20        Broadly surveying classic rabbinic literature, including the Talmud and its commentaries, the legal codes and the response, this seminar explores the immanent as well as the external factors that shaped the development of this literature, the seminal role of this literature in Jewish self-definition and self-perception, and the role of this literature in pre-modern and modern Jewish culture. 
Cross-listed with Jewish Studies

Sec. 01

TTh 9-10:15

130.352 (H)

HISTORY OF HASIDISM (3) Katz    Limit 20  Although it appears to be a relic of pre-modern Judaism, Hasidism is a phenomenon of the modern era of Jewish history. This course surveys the political and social history of the Hasidic movement over the course of the last three centuries. Students will also explore basic features of Hasidic culture and thought in their historical development.
Cross-listed with Jewish Studies

Sec. 01

TTh 10:30-11:45

130.401 (H)

INTRODUCTION TO MIDDLE EGYPTIAN (Hieroglyphs) (3) Jasnow    Limit 10    Prereq: 130.400   Introduction to the grammar and writing system of the classical language of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom (ca. 2135-2000 B.C.).   Taught jointly with 133.601

Sec. 01

T 3-5, Th 12-2 M 1:30-3:20, W 1:30-4:20

130.443 (H)
(W)

READING HEBREW PROSE (3) Wright Limit 10 Course added 11/06/07

Sec. 01

F 12-2

130.451

ELEMENTARY MODERN HEBREW (3) Braun   Limit 12   Prereq: 130.450 Credit given only on completion of both semesters. May not be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Designed to provide reading and writing mastery, to provide a foundation in Hebrew grammar and to provide basic conversational skills.
Cross-listed with Jewish Studies

Sec. 01

TTh 10:30-11:45

130.453 (H)

INTERMEDIATE MODERN HEBREW (3) Braun    Limit 12    Prereq: 130.450 or 130.451   Designed to enrich vocabulary and provide intensive grammatical review, and enhance fluency in reading, writing and comprehension    
Cross-listed with Jewish Studies

Sec. 01

TTh 12-1:15

130.455 (H)

ADVANCED MODERN HEBREW (3) Braun    Limit 10   Prereq: 130.453 or 130.454 also a solid foundation in reading, writing, and grammar. Designed to: maximize comprehension and the spoken language through literary and newspaper excerpts providing the student with the language of an educated Israeli.
Cross-listed with Jewish Studies

Sec. 01

TTh 9-10:15 1:30-2:45

130.502 501

READINGS AND RESEARCH  Staff

130.504

INDEPENDENT STUDY Staff

131.601

SEMINAR: NEAR EASTERN HISTORY Delerno   Limit 20 A detailed study of selected problems in Near Eastern history.

Sec. 01

Th 2-3:50 T 10:30-12:30 10-11:50

131.635

SEMINAR: NEAR EASTERN ARCHAEOLOGY Schwartz   Limit 15 Topics varies but can include the archaeology of Mesopotamia, Syria, or Palestine, or thematic discussions (e.g., on ideology, state collapse, etc.).
Cross-listed with Anthropology

Sec. 01

W 2-4 10-11:50

131.801

READINGS AND RESEARCH
Sec. 01 – Staff
Sec. 02 – P.K. McCarter
Sec. 03 – Lewis
Sec. 04 – Westbrook
Sec. 05 – Schwartz
Sec. 06 – Bryan
Sec. 07 – Cooper
Sec. 08 – Jasnow

131.849

DISSERTATION RESEARCH
Sec. 01 – Bryan
Sec. 02 – Schwartz
Sec. 03 – P.K. McCarter
Sec. 04 – Cooper
Sec. 05 – Westbrook
Sec. 06 – Lewis
Sec. 07 – Jasnow

132.601

ELEMENTARY AKKADIAN Delnero   Limit 10 An introduction to the paleography, grammar and lexicon of the Akkadian language, and the reading of simpler texts in that language. Undergraduates admitted to this course earn 4.5 credits per semester.

Sec. 01

T 10:30-12:30 Th 12-1:50

132.621

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEXTS Westbrook   Limit 10 Course added 12/21/07

Sec. 01

T 4-6pm

132.801

MESOPOTAMIAN SEMINAR Schwartz Limit 10 Course added 02/07/08

Sec. 01

TBA

133.601

INTRODUCTION TO MIDDLE EGYPTIANS (Hieroglyphs) Jasnow  Limit 10   Prereq: 133.600 Introduction to the grammar and writing system of the classical language of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom (ca. 2135-2000 B.C.).
Taught jointly with 130.401

Sec. 01

T 3-5, Th 12-2 M 1:30-3:20, W 1:30-4:20

133.611

MIDDLE EGYPTIAN TEXTS  Bryan/Jasnow  Limit 15

Sec. 01

F 1-4 Th 9-11:50

133.631

OLD EGYPTIAN  Bryan   Limit 10

Sec. 01

W 11-1 Th 3-4:50

133.647

DEMOTIC TEXTS Jasnow   Limit 10

Sec. 01

M 11-1 F 1-2:50

133.751

SEMINAR IN EGYPTIAN ART Bryan Limit 15   The seminar will focus on "amulets" in the first month with an intensive study of their meaning and variety. The second half of the term will look at magical arts in a number of contexts, both elite and non-elite.

Sec. 01

M 1:30-4:30 T 2:30-5:20

134.650

SEMINAR IN HEBREW Lewis   Limit 10
Cross-listed with Jewish Studies

Sec. 01

T 2-3:50

134.744

SURVEY OF ARAMAIC TEXTS Lewis, T.   Limit 15  This seminar will focus on ancient Hebrew poetry.
Cross-listed with Jewish Studies

Sec. 01

Th 12-2 2-3:50