| CODE | NES3001 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Ancient Near Eastern Literature | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | In this study-unit, students embark on a literary exploration of the Ancient Near East from the earliest cuneiform writings to epic narratives, hymns, poetry, love lyrics, and royal inscriptions. Students delve into the rich variety of writings that throw light on the cultures of Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria and uncover the stories, myths, and philosophical insights that shaped the worldview of ancient societies. This unit provides a comprehensive understanding of the literary heritage of the region, inviting students to analyse, interpret, and appreciate the nuances of Ancient Near Eastern literature. Students registered for this study unit will learn about the world’s first known author, Enheduanna, a remarkable priestess, poet and political analyst and they will also explore the captivating myths of Inanna, the Mesopotamian goddess of sex and war, examining the symbolism and narrative structures. The unit also offers an introduction to the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest known works of literature as well as Atrahasis and the Flood Narratives, considering their moral and cultural implications within the context of ancient Mesopotamian societies. The unit also delves into wisdom literature, including proverbs and philosophical reflections, to understand the moral and practical teachings embedded in these ancient texts. Finally, the students will engage with standard editions of the Assyrian Royal Inscriptions to gain insights into the political, social, and religious ideologies of Assyrian rulers. Study-unit Aims: - Help students gain a comprehensive understanding of Ancient Near Eastern literary traditions; - Explore the diverse genres and forms of literature within the region; - Examine the cultural and historical contexts influencing literary production. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the origins and development of writing in the Ancient Near East; - Identify key literary genres and forms; - Analyse Sumerian literary works, including the hymns of Enheduanna and myths of Inanna; - Examine the Epic of Gilgamesh and its cultural significance; - Examine Atrahasis and other significant works; - Analyse the rhetorical features of Assyrian royal inscriptions; - Examine wisdom literature, including proverbs and philosophical insights. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explore the literary contributions of Akkadian and Babylonian cultures; - Discuss the impact of historical events on literary production; - Discuss the role of literature in reflecting and shaping cultural identities. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main: - Lenzi, Alan. 2019. An Introduction to Akkadian Literature: Contexts and Content. Eisenbrauns. Additional: - Foster, Benjamin, R. 2005. Before the Muses: An Anthology of Akkadian Literature. Eisenbrauns. - Black, Jeremy; Cunningham, Graham; Robson, Eleanor; Zolyomi, Gabor. 2005. The Literature of Ancient Sumer. Oxford University Press. Lecturer(s) will also supply students with a list of journal articles posted on the VLE. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Omar N'Shea |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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