Near Eastern Studies

University of California, Berkeley

This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 guide. To access the most recent version of the guide, please visit http://guide.berkeley.edu/.

Overview

Instruction in the Department of Near Eastern Studies (NES) is concerned with the languages, literatures, and civilizations of the ancient, medieval, and modern Near East. The Department offers specialized training in archaeology, art history, Assyriology, Egyptology, Iranian studies, Judaic and Islamic studies, comparative Semitics, Turkish, Hebrew, Arabic, and Persian. For students in other disciplines, the Department provides a wide variety of courses to supplement such related fields as anthropology, linguistics, art history, history, political science, comparative literature, and folklore. Lecture courses offered by the Department present a comprehensive body of information on past and present Near Eastern civilizations. Many of the courses taught in the Department are restricted to a small number of students and thus afford an opportunity for close interaction with the instructing staff.

Cooperative arrangements between the University and the nearby Graduate Theological Union enable students in the Department to use the extensive library holdings of the Union and supplement their programs with selected courses in Palestinian archaeology, Biblical studies, and Semitic epigraphy and philology.

Libraries

The Near Eastern Studies libraries are essential parts of the Department of Near Eastern Studies (NES). The Libraries can be indispensable for research to both graduate and undergraduate students in the Department. The libraries house most of the reference materials on various disciplines within NES as well as some rare books (donated by scholars—past and present— affiliated with NES). The Libraries usually carry books put on reserve by NES faculty each semester and can also be used as an excellent reading room for students and faculty. Library books are related to the following disciplines: Islamic Studies (Arabic, Turkish, and Persian, including the Mahjoub Persian Library) and Hebrew and Semitic Studies.

The Hebrew/Semitics Library and the Islamic Studies Library both contain basic reference materials, including dictionaries, encyclopedias, and some of the most important texts in their fields. Access is generally limited to graduate students in the Department. Both libraries are non-circulating.

The Baer-Keller Library of Egyptology is a non-circulating collection of approximately 9,000 volumes maintained by the Near Eastern Studies Department primarily for the use of UC Berkeley students and faculty pursuing serious study of Ancient Egyptian culture, Coptology and Papyrology. Egyptology students and professionals from other institutions are also welcome. Interested individuals should apply to the Near Eastern Studies Department. The core of the library collection comes from bequests to the Department of Near Eastern Studies by Professors Klaus Baer (1987) and Cathleen (Candy) Keller (2008). Professor Baer was an Associate Professor of Egyptology and History at UC Berkeley before becoming a Professor of Egyptology at the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago. Professor Keller was an Associate Professor of Egyptology at UC Berkeley for many years.

Undergraduate Programs

Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Art and Archaeology : BA
Near Eastern Civilizations : BA
Near Eastern Languages and Literatures : BA (with emphases in Arabic, Hebrew, or Persian)
Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Civilizations : Minor
Arabic : Minor
Hebrew : Minor
Persian : Minor
Turkish : Minor

Graduate Programs

Near Eastern Studies : MA, PhD (with concentrations in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian Languages and Literatures, Near Eastern Archaeology, Art History, Cuneiform, Hebrew Bible, Biblical and Judaic Studies, Old Iranian Studies, Egyptology, and Islamic Studies)

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Courses

Select a subject to view courses

Arabic

ARABIC 200 Arabic Grammatical Tradition 3 Units

Study of selected grammatical phenomena of Arabic based on readings from the classical Arabic grammarians, on the modern study of linguistics in the Arab world, and on the Western grammatical tradition.

ARABIC 202 History of Arabic 3 Units

The history of Arabic from its Semitic antecedents through the formation of the modern dialects.

ARABIC 212 Topics in Modern Arabic Literature: Poetry 3 Units

Intensive study of modern poetry in relation to the cultural tradition.

ARABIC 220 Seminar in Classical Arabic Literature 3 Units

A close reading and careful literary analysis of significant authors and specific topics in Classical Arabic prose or poetry or both.

ARABIC 245 Seminar: Modernist Arabic Poetics 3 Units

This course examines the origins, status, and function of literary theory in the making of modern Arabic literature. Questions of cultural influence, literary genres, forms, modes, and techniques of representation are all central to the interests of this course.

ARABIC 298 Seminar 1 - 4 Units

Special topics in Arabic. Topics vary and are announced at the beginning of each semester.

Cuneiform

CUNEIF 200A Advanced Akkadian 3 Units

Reading of a variety of genres of Akkadian documents and literature. Texts selected are based on the individual needs of participating students.

CUNEIF 200B Advanced Akkadian 3 Units

Reading of a variety of genres of Akkadian documents and literature. Texts selected are based on the individual needs of participating students.

CUNEIF 298 Seminar 1 - 4 Units

Special topics in Cuneiform. Topics vary and are announced at the beginning of each semester.

Egyptian

EGYPT 201A Later Stages of Egyptian 3 Units

Introduction to late Egyptian and Demotic.

EGYPT 202B Egyptian Texts 3 Units

Philological analysis of texts of a single genre and period.

Hebrew

HEBREW 201A Advanced Biblical Hebrew Texts 3 Units

The exegesis of a biblical book in the light of its ancient Near Eastern background.

HEBREW 202A Advanced Late Antique Hebrew Texts 3 Units

Historical and literary study of Hebrew and Aramaic Judaic texts (e.g., Talmud and Midrash).

HEBREW 202B Advanced Late Antique Hebrew Texts 3 Units

Historical and literary study of Hebrew and Aramaic Judaic texts (e.g., Talmud and Midrash).

HEBREW 203A Advanced Medieval Hebrew Texts 3 Units

Literary analysis of belletristic Hebrew texts, either prose or poetry, chiefly from the Iberian medieval period.

HEBREW 203B Advanced Medieval Hebrew Texts 3 Units

Literary analysis of belletristic Hebrew texts, either prose or poetry, chiefly from the Iberian medieval period.

HEBREW 204A Advanced Modern Hebrew Literature and Culture 3 Units

Critical approaches to the history and textual practices of modern Hebrew poetry and fiction. Alternating focus between period, genre, and author, seminar topics include stylistic developments in Hebrew poetry and fiction from the Enlightenment to the present, modernism, and modernity, the creation of the modern Hebrew novel, women writers and the Hebrew canon, and single-author seminars.

HEBREW 204B Advanced Modern Hebrew Literature and Culture 3 Units

Critical approaches to the history and textual practices of modern Hebrew poetry and fiction. Alternating focus between period, genre, and author, seminar topics include stylistic developments in Hebrew poetry and fiction from the Enlightenment to the present, modernism, and modernity, the creation of the modern Hebrew novel, women writers and the Hebrew canon, and single-author seminars.

HEBREW 206 Ancient and Modern Hebrew Literary Texts 3 Units

Focus on biblical texts seen from a literary point of view, attempting to establish connections with later Hebrew literature.

HEBREW 298 Seminar 1 - 4 Units

Special topics in Hebrew. Topics vary and are announced at the beginning of each semester.

HEBREW 301A Teaching Hebrew in College 3 Units

The methodology of teaching Hebrew as a foreign language at the college level. Lectures on contrastive analysis of English and Hebrew, classroom strategies, and the development of instructional materials. Required of all new Graduate Student Instructors in Hebrew.

HEBREW 301B Teaching Hebrew in College 3 Units

The methodology of teaching Hebrew as a foreign language at the college level. Lectures on contrastive analysis of English and Hebrew, classroom strategies, and the development of instructional materials. Required of all new Graduate Student Instructors in Hebrew.

Iranian

IRANIAN 201A Iranian Philology 3 Units

Reading of texts in Avestan, western Middle Iranian, and Sogdian, taken from Zoroastrian, Manichaean, and Buddhist texts.

IRANIAN 201B Iranian Philology 3 Units

Reading of texts in Avestan, western Middle Iranian, and Sogdian, taken from Zoroastrian, Manichaean, and Buddhist texts.

Near Eastern Studies

NE STUD 200 Graduate Proseminar 1 Unit

Introduction to the academic profession of Near Eastern studies. This course will survey the various disciplines and subfields contained under this rubric, including their developmental histories, methodologies, and primary and secondary data sources. Enrollment in this course is required of all graduate students during their first year of study.

NE STUD 202 Fields, Methods and Current Trends in Ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern Studies 2 - 4 Units

An introduction to the diversity of fields and disciplines that comprise ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern studies, including current and traditional methods and trends. Designed for candidates for higher degrees in Near Eastern Studies and related programs.

NE STUD 205 Using Cuneiform Texts in Research 3 Units

This seminar is meant for graduate students who wish to use cuneiform texts (in original or in translation) for their research. The most general question that we will ask is: how does a text produce meaningful information? The seminar is organized around three tasks: evaluation of secondary literature, methodological reflection on the use of texts, and using cuneiform texts in a scholarly paper.

NE STUD C220 Seminar in Near Eastern Art 2 or 4 Units

Seminar on critical aspects of Near Eastern art requiring intensive study and presentation of a research paper. Topics vary from semester to semester.

NE STUD 223 Seminar in Near Eastern Archaeology 2 or 4 Units

Seminar on critical aspects of Near Eastern archaeology requiring intensive study and presentation of a reseach paper and oral report. Topics vary from semester to semester.

NE STUD 290A Special Studies: Near Eastern Studies 1 - 5 Units

Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.

NE STUD 290B Special Studies: Arabic 1 - 5 Units

Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.

NE STUD 290C Special Studies: Cuneiform 1 - 5 Units

Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.

NE STUD 290D Special Studies: Egyptian 1 - 5 Units

Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.

NE STUD 290E Special Studies: Hebrew 1 - 5 Units

Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.

NE STUD 290F Special Studies: Iranian 1 - 5 Units

Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.

NE STUD 290G Special Studies: Semitics 1 - 5 Units

Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.

NE STUD 290H Special Studies: Turkish 1 - 5 Units

Students may enroll in more than one section of 290, but the total number of units of Special Study in any one semester may not exceed 12.

NE STUD 291 Dissertation Writing Workshop 4 Units

A faculty member will oversee the group, offering guidance and making sure guidelines are followed. Students will manage the group's day-to-day operations. At least one week before each meeting a student will pre-circulate a draft of a chapter. During the meeting, students will give feedback on the draft. This feedback will be used to revise the chapter, which will be due at the end of the semester. The workshop is open to graduate students from other departments who are writing on topics associated with Near Eastern Studies.

NE STUD 292 Museum Internship 4 Units

Jointly supervised by a professional staff of a participating museum and a faculty member in the Art and Archaeology division of the Department of Near Eastern Studies.

NE STUD N295 Supervised Field Research in Archaeology 2 - 8 Units

Full time participation in an archaeological excavation or exploratory survey, preceded by three hours of seminar per week for one half of one semester, at the discretion of the instructor. Students will participate in all aspects of the operation and will be responsible for preparing a written report on some specific part of the work. Geographical areas and sites to be determined each year. Students taking the seminar only will receive 2 units only.

NE STUD 296 Topics in Egyptian Art and Archaeology 2 or 4 Units

Changing topics involving ancient Egyptian art and archaeology. Focus may be regional, chronological, methodological, and/or thematic.

NE STUD 297 Topics in Ancient Ceramics of Egypt and the Levant 2 or 4 Units

Changing topics in the study of ancient ceramics, stressing the relationship between pottery on the one hand, and archaeological practice and research in Egypt and/or the Levant on the other hand. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between pottery and broader issues involving the history and culture of these regions. Where appropriate, extensive use is made of slides and "hands-on" experience with available ceramic collections (e.g., Hearst Museum collection.)

NE STUD 298 Seminar 1 - 4 Units

Special topics in Near Eastern Studies. Topics vary and are announced at the beginning of each semester.

NE STUD 299 Dissertation Research and Writing 3 - 12 Units

All students advanced to candidacy must enroll in 299 every semester in which they are registered. When in residence, students are required to meet with their primary dissertation advisor at least twice a semester. Students not in residence should communicate either by phone or email with their advisor at least twice a semester. Semester grade will be based on written work turned in to the instructor to consist of at least one draft chapter of the dissertation or the equivalent.

NE STUD 375 Teaching Modern Near Eastern Languages in College: Seminar in Language Pedagogy 3 Units

This course is an introductory course that surveys theories of learning and approaches to the teaching of foreign languages in college. Theories will be analyzed and students encouraged to test those theories against their own experiences as students and teachers. This course is designed for new Graduate Student Instructors of Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and Turkish. This course includes classroom observations and reflective teaching.

NE STUD 601 Individual Studies for Master's Students 1 - 8 Units

Individual study for the comprehensive or language requirements in consultation with the graduate adviser. Units may not be used to meet either unit or residence requirements for a master's degree.

NE STUD 602 Individual Study for Doctoral Students 1 - 8 Units

Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D. May not be used for unit or residence requirements for the doctoral degree.

Persian

PERSIAN 200A Readings in Persian Literary Texts 3 Units

Advanced topics in Persian literature from various periods of Persian culture and literary history.

PERSIAN 200B Readings in Persian Literary Texts 3 Units

Advanced topics in Persian literature from various periods of Persian culture and literary history.

PERSIAN 202A Persian Sufi Writings 3 Units

Readings in all genres of Sufi expression, prose and poetry, with concentration on major figures.

PERSIAN 202B Persian Sufi Writings 3 Units

Readings in all genres of Sufi expression, prose and poetry, with concentration on major figures.

PERSIAN 298 Seminar 1 - 4 Units

Special topics in Persian. Topics vary and are announced at the beginning of each semester.

PERSIAN 301A Teaching Persian in College 3 Units

Lectures on the methodology of teaching Persian as a foreign language at the college level. Lectures on constructive analysis of English and Persian, classroom strategies, and the development of instructional materials. Required of all new graduate student instructors in Persian.

Semitics

SEMITIC 205A Ugaritic 3 Units

Ugarit language and literature with stress on comparative morphology and lexicography. Sequence begins Fall.

SEMITIC 205B Ugaritic 3 Units

Ugarit language and literature with stress on comparative morphology and lexicography. Sequence begins Fall.

SEMITIC 209A Northwest Semitic Epigraphy 4 Units

This two course sequence will study the epigraphic remains of the Northwest Semitic languages. First semester will study inscriptions in Hebrew. Second semester topics will vary from year to year. Possible topics include: Canaanite dialects; El-Amarna Akkadian; Eblaite. The inscriptions will be studied both from the perspective of the comparative history of the Northwest Semitic languages and also for their relevance in illuminating contemporaneous history and culture.

SEMITIC 209B Northwest Semitic Epigraphy 4 Units

This two course sequence will study the epigraphic remains of the Northwest Semitic languages. First semester will study inscriptions in Hebrew. Second semester topics will vary from year to year. Possible topics include: Canaanite dialects; El-Amarna Akkadian; Eblaite. The inscriptions will be studied both from the perspective of the comparative history of the Northwest Semitic languages and also for their relevance in illuminating contemporaneous history and culture.

Turkish

TURKISH 298 Seminar 1 - 4 Units

Special topics in Turkish. Topics vary and are announced at the beginning of each semester.

Faculty

Professors

Daniel Boyarin, Professor. Gender and sexuality, rhetoric, Judaism, Christianity, Talmud, genealogy of religion.
Research Profile

Ronald Hendel, Professor. Textual criticism, Hebrew bible, ancient Near Eastern religion and mythology, Northwest Semitic linguistics.
Research Profile

Chana Kronfeld, Professor. Comparative literature, modernism, Hebrew, Yiddish, modern poetry, minor literatures, politics of literary history, feminist stylistics, intertextuality, translation studies.
Research Profile

Margaret Larkin, Professor. Near Eastern studies.
Research Profile

Francesca Rochberg, Professor. History of science, ancient near east, cuneiform studies.
Research Profile

Niek Veldhuis, Professor. Intellectual history, Sumerian, cuneiform.
Research Profile

Associate Professors

Wali Ahmadi, Associate Professor. Persian languages, Persian literature.
Research Profile

Asad Ahmed, Associate Professor.

Carol A Redmount, Associate Professor. Near Eastern studies.
Research Profile

Assistant Professors

Rita Lucarelli, Assistant Professor.

Benjamin W. Porter, PhD, Assistant Professor. Intellectual history, critical social theory, Near Eastern archaeology, Bronze and Iron Age Levant, Gulf archaeology, field archaeology, mortuary archaeology, materials sciences, historical ecology, Middle Eastern anthropology, heritage and tourism and development studies.
Research Profile

Adjunct Faculty

Sabrina Sonia Maras, PhD, Adjunct Faculty.

Lecturers

Rutie Adler, Lecturer.

Hatem A Bazian, Lecturer. Near Eastern studies.
Research Profile

Chava Boyarin, Lecturer.

John L. Hayes, Lecturer.

Sanjyot Mehendale, PhD, Lecturer. Near Eastern studies, Central Asia, Central Asian studies, archaeology and art history.
Research Profile

Laurie Pearce, PhD, Lecturer.

Jaleh Pirnazar, Lecturer. Near Eastern studies.
Research Profile

Contact Information

Department of Near Eastern Studies

250 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-642-3757

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Department Chair & Undergraduate Adviser in Islamic Studies/Arabic/ Hebrew/Persian

Margaret Larkin, PhD

274 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-542-3757

larkin@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Adviser in Ancient Studies

Carl Redmount

242 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-542-8011

redmount@berkeley.edu

Head Graduate Adviser & Graduate Adviser in Ancient Studies

Niek Veldhuis

280 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-542-8262

veldhuis@berkeley.edu

Graduate Adviser in Islamic Studies/Arabic/Hebrew/Persian

Asad Q. Ahmed

272 Barrows Hall

asad.ahmed@berkeley.edu

Undergraduate Assistant

Rania Shah

250 Barrows Hall

Phone: 510-642-3758

rania.shah@berkeley.edu

Graduate Student Services Adviser

Shorena Kurtsikidze

Phone: 510-642-6162

shorena@berkeley.edu

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