2001-2002 Calendar: Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations

NMC Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations

Introduction

The Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations is concerned with the interdisciplinary study of the civilizations and cultures of the Near and Middle East from neolithic times until the present, including their languages and literatures Akkadian (Assyro-Babylonian), Arabic, Aramaic and its closely related dialect Syriac, ancient Egyptian, (biblical, rabbinic, mediaeval and modern) Hebrew, (Hellenistic) Greek, Persian and Turkish, archaeology, history, art and architecture. Near East is generally understood to refer to the region at the eastern end of the Mediterranean and beyond, from ancient times up to the advent of Islam in the seventh century C.E. Middle East refers to a much broader geographical area whose predominant Islamic culture in mediaeval and modern times has stretched to North Africa and Spain in the west and to Central Asia, India and South Asia in the east. The Department's programs are conceived in the broad tradition of the humanities and provide an opportunity to study non-western complex societies and civilizations, an understanding of which will reveal the ultimate roots, and help to appreciate the historical development, of western civilization.

As it happens, three world religions originated in this geographical region. The Department offers courses on the origins and earliest phases of Judaism and, as a contributor to the Jewish Studies Program, on mediaeval and modern Jewish history, culture and thought, even though such pursuits sometimes lead to Europe and other places beyond the Middle East. Although the Department deals with eastern (Syriac) Christianity, the study of Christianity as a religion falls within the purview of the Department for the Study of Religion. The study of Islam as a religion and the development of Islamic thought, and their role in the creation of Islamic civilization, are major concerns of the Department.

NMC 101Y introduces students to the ancient Near East. NMC 201Y presents an historical and thematic survey of the civilizations and cultures of the mediaeval and modern Middle East and provides background necessary for comprehending the complex issues facing that region today. Students particularly interested in the world and/or religion of Islam should start with NMC 185Y. Anyone primarily attracted to biblical studies should take NMC 280Y. The student with a special interest in Jewish studies should start with RLG 202Y.

Students wishing to follow a Specialist or Major program should choose their courses with the advice of the Undergraduate Coordinator. Those intending to proceed to a graduate degree in a particular area will obviously want to follow an undergraduate program in the same area and would do well to acquire a reading knowledge of German and French as early as possible. Some knowledge of anthropology and a course or two in linguistics would be useful. The Department, however, welcomes students of all academic backgrounds who wish to learn about the Middle East, including those who do not intend to specialize or major. Many courses offered in the Department do not require any knowledge of the languages of the region. Students should consult the Undergraduate Handbook published each year by the Department for more detailed information about courses and programs.

Undergraduate Enquiries:

4 Bancroft Avenue, Room 200, 416-978-3306

NEAR & MIDDLE EASTERN CIVILIZATIONS PROGRAMS

Enrolment in NMC programs is open to anyone who has completed four courses; no minimum GPA required. Students should consult the Department about the following programs.

ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN STUDIES (B.A.)

Specialist program (Hon.B.A.):
(12 full NMC courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:
NMC 101Y

Higher Years:

1. Four courses in Language and Literature
2. NMC 260Y and one other course in Archaeology
3. Three courses in History
4. Two other approved courses
NOTE: At least six of the above courses (two Language and Literature, one each of Archaeology and History, and two others) must be in the same cultural and/or linguistic area, e.g., Assyrian, Syro-Palestinian, Egyptian or Hellenistic Greek.

Major program (B.A.):
(6 full NMC courses or their equivalent)

First Year:
NMC 101Y

Higher Years:

1. Either a) one course in each of Language and Literature, Archaeology and History or b) three courses in either Language and Literature, Archaeology or History
2. Two other approved courses, one of which must be at the 300+ level

Minor program (B.A.):
(4 full NMC courses or their equivalent)

First Year:
NMC 101Y or NMC 280Y

Higher Years:
Any three NMC courses, at least one of which must be a 300+ series course, that can be construed as a meaningful grouping. Check with the Undergraduate Coordinator to avoid disappointment later.

HEBREW LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (B.A.)

Specialist program (Hon.B.A.):
(12 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:
NMC 136Y/230Y

Higher Years:

1. Three courses in biblical Hebrew, and/or Aramaic/Syriac, Hellenistic Greek or Arabic
2. Three courses in mediaeval Hebrew and/or Aramaic/Syriac
3. Three courses in modern Hebrew
4. Two other approved courses

Major program (B.A.):
(6 full courses or their equivalent)

First Year:
NMC 136Y/230Y

Higher Years:

1. Three courses in either: i) biblical Hebrew and/or Aramaic; or ii) mediaeval Hebrew and/or Aramaic; or iii) modern Hebrew
2. Two other approved Language and Literature courses

Minor program (B.A.):
(4 full courses or their equivalent)
Four Hebrew Language and Literature courses

MIDDLE EASTERN AND ISLAMIC STUDIES (B.A.)

Specialist program (Hon.B.A.):
(10 full NMC courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:
NMC 185Y/RLG204Y, NMC 201Y and/or one NMC introductory language course

Higher Years:

1. Four (or three) Language and Literature courses, one of which must be at the 300+ level. Courses must include at least two separate Islamic language areas.
2. NMC 273Y and two other History courses at the 300+ level
3. One additional NMC course at the 300+ level (or other approved course in HIS, POL or RLG; see Department Handbook for details)
NOTE: All of the above courses must be in the Middle Eastern and Islamic cultural area. However, students are strongly encouraged to take courses in other NMC cultural areas.

Major program (B.A.):
(6 full NMC courses or their equivalent)

First Year:
NMC 185Y/RLG 204Y

Higher Years:

1. NMC 201Y/273Y
2. At least two Language and Literature courses, one of which must be at the 300+ level
3. One History course at the 300+ level
4. One additional NMC course (or other approved course in HIS, POL or RLG; see Department Handbook for details)

Minor program (B.A.):
(4 full courses or their equivalent)
Four NMC courses, one of which must be at the 300+ level (see Department Handbook for details)

MIDDLE EASTERN AND ISLAMIC HISTORY (B.A.)

Major program (B.A.):
(6 full NMC courses or their equivalent)

First Year:
NMC 278Y

Higher Years:

1. NMC 273Y and two other History courses at the 300+ level
2. Any two additional NMC courses (or other approved courses in HIS, POL or RLG; see Department Handbook for details)
NOTE: This program cannot normally be expanded into a Specialist program owing to the language requirements of the latter.

ISLAMIC RELIGION AND THOUGHT (B.A.)

Major program (B.A.):
(6 full NMC courses or their equivalent)

First Year:
NMC 185Y/RLG 204Y

Higher Years:

1. NMC 273Y
2. Four courses selected from Religion and Philosophy, with at least two at the 300+ level (may also include other approved RLG courses; see Department Handbook for details)

ISLAMIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES (B.A.)

Major program (B.A.):
(6 full NMC courses or their equivalent)
1. Five Islamic Language and Literature courses, with at least two at the 300+ level
2. One Literature in Translation course
NOTE: In conjunction with Woodsworth College, the Department offers courses in June at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. For information about these degree credit courses, please contact Professional and International Programs Office, Woodsworth College, 119 St. George Street (416-978-8713)