Course Description

The archaeology, history, and heritage of the Near East (Israel/Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria), concentrating on the major cities and sanctuaries and their physical remains.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students are required to direct seminar sessions and write more extensive research papers.

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Athena Title

Archaeology of Near East

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Prerequisite

CLAS 1000 or CLAS 1000H or CLAS 1000E or CLAS 1010 or CLAS 1010H or CLAS 1010E or CLAS 1020 or CLAS 1020H or CLAS 1020E or CLAS 3000 or CLAS 3010 or permission of department

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Semester Course Offered

Not offered on a regular basis.

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Student learning Outcomes

• Students will identify and analyze significant archaeological sites and historical developments in the Near East, from Alexander the Great (323 BC) to the Islamic conquests (AD 640).
• Students will evaluate the role of geopolitics in the history of archaeology in the Near East.
• Students will plan and construct a research-based final paper that engages critically with diverse scholarly literature from archaeology, history, and the sciences.

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Topical Outline

• I. Iron age background: the Near East before Alexander the Great
• II. The Hellenistic age: the Near East under Alexander and his successors
• III. The Roman Near East: conquest and becoming Roman
• IV. The late antique Near East: changing religions, frontiers, and communities
• V. The coming of Islam: continuity and change
• VI. From the Near East to the Middle East: modern heritage issues for the Near East

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Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.

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