Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations

314 Hall of Graduate Studies, 432.2944
M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.

Chair
Dimitri Gutas

Director of Graduate Studies
Eckart Frahm (319 SML, 432.5584, eckart.frahm@yale.edu)

Professors
Hans-Werner Fischer-Elfert (Visiting), Benjamin Foster, Beatrice Gruendler, Dimitri Gutas, Bentley Layton, William Simpson, Harvey Weiss

Assistant Professors
John Darnell, Eckart Frahm, Hala Nassar

Lecturers
Adel Allouche, Karen Foster

Senior Lectors
Fereshteh Amanat-Kowssar, Ayala Dvoretzky, Bassam Frangieh

Lectors
Siam Bhayro, Neta Stahl, Kevin van Bladel

Fields of Study
Fields include Arabic and Islamic studies (also with interdisciplinary minor), Greco-Arabic studies, Archaeology of the Ancient Near East, Assyriology, Egyptology, and Coptic and Egyptology.

Special Admissions Requirements
Applicants should state their specific field of study and intended specialization. Evidence of a reading knowledge of both French and German is required of all students. Proficiency in one of these languages is normally prerequisite for admission and deficiency in the second language must be rectified before admission to a second year of study. Proficiency will be certified by passing a departmental examination upon registration at Yale. Students admitted with only one of the two required languages or who fail the departmental examination are expected to enroll in an appropriate full-year course given by the French or German departments at Yale. Completion of such a course with a grade of A or B will be accepted as fulfilling the proficiency requirement in either language; exceptions, e.g., for native speakers of French or German, may be made by the department upon recommendation of the director of graduate studies.

Special Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
Course Work: The department normally requires three full years of course work, four year courses or eight term courses per year being considered a full load. This may be reduced to two years in cases of exceptional background in Near Eastern languages. Normal progress in course work is considered to be consistent achievement of grades of High Pass or better, and at least four term courses or two year courses with Honors per year.

Special Language and Course Requirements: Course work should be planned to meet two departmental general standards: core languages for the primary fields of study, and minimum competence in a secondary field. The core languages in each of the major fields of study are as follows: Arabic and Islamic Studies: Arabic, Persian (Farsi) or Syriac or Greek; Archaeology of the Ancient Near East: at least one ancient language relevant to the student’s area of interest; majors in archaeology are also required to take at least one term of archaeological method and theory and at least one term of descriptive and inferential statistics; Assyriology: Sumerian and Akkadian; Egyptology: Egyptian and at least four terms of Demotic or Coptic. Minimum competence in a secondary field of study is defined as follows: at least two terms of a Near Eastern language to be evaluated either by examination or with a course grade of High Pass or better, or at least two terms of nonlanguage courses outside the area of specialization. A minimum grade of High Pass in these courses will be considered successful fulfillment of this requirement.

In Arabic and Islamic Studies, the minimum competence can be extended to an interdisciplinary course of study in a minor field. Minors may include six to eight term courses in the following departments and programs: Anthropology, Comparative Literature, French, German Studies, Greek and Classics, History, History of Medicine and Science, Judaic Studies, Italian, Linguistics, Medieval Studies, Political Science and Sociology, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Spanish and Portuguese, or others, by permission of the director of graduate studies. Students in all programs of the department will be expected to declare their choice of a secondary language or area, or a minor field, by their third term of study. Examinations and the Dissertation: The comprehensive examination is normally taken at the end of the third year of study or, where advanced standing has been granted, at the end of the second year, but in no case later than September of the academic year following the last year of the student’s required course work. The scope of the examination will be determined by the director of graduate studies in consultation with the student and department member(s) in whose area the student’s studies are concentrated. The examination will consist of written and oral portions and will cover no fewer than five and no more than six areas. In the case of the program in Arabic and Islamic Studies with an interdisciplinary minor, the written portion will consist of two language examinations and one subject in the minor field, and the oral of two subjects in Arabic studies and one in the minor field. The written examinations will be set by the individual faculty members responsible for particular areas of study, but the oral portion will be conducted by the full staff of the department. The dissertation proposal is normally submitted one month following the completion of the qualifying examination. Successful completion of the comprehensive examination and submission of an acceptable prospectus will qualify the student for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. After completion of the dissertation, the candidate may receive a final examination concerned primarily with the defense of the thesis.

Master's Degrees
M.Phil. See Graduate School requirements. Alternatively, the department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations offers, in conjunction with the Medieval Studies Program, a joint M.Phil. degree. For further details, see Medieval Studies. In addition to the Graduate School requirements, the dissertation prospectus must have been accepted.

M.A. Applicants who do not wish to enroll in the Ph.D. program may pursue a Master of Arts degree. Students enrolled in such a program should complete a minimum of twelve term courses with at least two term grades of Honors and an average of High Pass in the remaining courses, and will be required to submit a master’s thesis no later than April 1 of the fourth term of study. No financial aid is available. Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program are also eligible for this degree by meeting the same requirements.

Program materials are available upon request from the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Yale University, PO Box 208236, New Haven CT 06520-8236.

Courses
ARBC 501u, Elementary Modern Standard Arabic.  Bassam Frangieh, Kevin van Bladel. MTWThF 1.30–2.20
Develops a basic knowledge of modern standard Arabic. Emphasis on grammatical analysis, vocabulary acquisition, and the development of reading and writing skills.

ARBC 502u, Spoken Modern Standard Arabic.  Bassam Frangieh. TTh 2.30–3.45
A supplement to the elementary course in modern standard Arabic, emphasizing oral skills. Corequisite or prerequisite: NELC 821u or permission of instructor.

ARBC 503u, Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic.  Bassam Frangieh, Kevin van Bladel. MW 11.30–12.45
Intensive review of grammar; readings from contemporary and classical Arab authors with emphasis on serial reading of unvoweled Arabic texts, prose composition, and formal conversation.

ARBC 504u, Advanced Modern Standard Arabic.  Hala Nassar. MW 1–2.15
Focus on improving the listening, writing, and speaking skills of students who already have a substantial background in the study of modern standard Arabic.

ARBC 505au or bu, Arabic Seminar.  Dimitri Gutas. T 3.30–5.20
Study and interpretation of classical Arabic texts for advanced students.

ARBC 511a, Greco-Arabic Seminar.  Dimitri Gutas. M 3.30–5.20

ARBC 521b, Seminar in the Philosophy of Avicenna.  Dimitri Gutas. M 3.30–5.20

ARBC 551au, East Meets West: Drama and Theater in the Arab World.  Hala Nassar.

ARBC 552bu, Gender and Nationalism in Arab Women’s Literature.  Hala Nassar.

ARBC 570au, The History of the Islamic Near East from Mohammad to the Mongol Invasion.  Adel Allouche. TTh 11.30–12.45
An examination of the shaping of society and polity from the rise of Islam to the Mongol conquest of Baghdad in 1258. The origins of Islamic society; conquests, and social and political assimilation under the Ummayyads and Abbasids; the changing nature of political legitimacy and sovereignty under the caliphate; provincial decentralization; and new sources of social and religious power. Also HIST 829au.

ARBC 572bu, Greek into Arabic into Latin: Foundations of Western Culture. TTh 10.30–11.20, 1 HTBA

CPTC 501u, Biblical Coptic: Elementary Course.  Paul Dilley.

CPTC 504b, The Making of Monasticism.  Bentley Layton.

EGYP 501u, Introduction to Classical Hieroglyphic Egyptian.  Colleen Manassa.
An introduction to the language of ancient pharaonic Egypt (Middle Egyptian) and its hieroglyphic writing system, with short historical, literary, and religious texts. Grammatical analysis with exercises in reading, translation, and composition.

EGYP 531, Egyptian Historical Texts.  William Simpson.

EGYP 533, Egyptian Literary Texts.  William Simpson.

HEBR 501u, Elementary Modern Hebrew.  Ayala Dvoretzky, Neta Stahl. MTWThF 10.30–11.20
Introduction to the language of contemporary Israel, both spoken and written. Fundamentals of grammar; extensive practice in speaking, reading, and writing under the guidance of a native speaker.

HEBR 502u, Modern Hebrew II.  Ayala Dvoretzky, Neta Stahl. MW 11.30–12.45
Introduction to modern Hebrew literature, with readings selected from contemporary prose and verse. Review and continuation of grammatical study leading to a deeper comprehension of style and usage. Prerequisite: NELC 661u or equivalent.

HEBR 503bu, Advanced Modern Hebrew: Ideological and Social Discourse.   Neta Stahl. MW 1–2.15
An examination of major controversies in Israeli society. Readings include newspaper editorials and academic articles as well as documentary and history-based plays. Advanced grammatical structures are introduced and practiced. Conducted in Hebrew. Prerequisite: NELC 662u or equivalent.

HEBR 504au, Introduction to Modern Israeli Literature.  Ayala Dvoretzky. MW 1–2.15
Reading, discussion, and analysis of short stories, poetry, and magazine articles representative of contemporary Israeli culture, with attention to different styles. Conducted in Hebrew. Prerequisite: NELC 662u or equivalent.

MESO 501u, Elementary Akkadian.  Elizabeth Payne. MWF 11.30–12.45

MESO 502b, Advanced Akkadian.  Benjamin Foster.

MESO 531, Beginning Sumerian.  Thomas Eby [F], Emmanuelle Salgues [Sp].

[MESO 532b, Intermediate Sumerian.]  

MESO 533a or b, Advanced Sumerian.  Benjamin Foster.

MESO 539a or b, Directed Readings: Sumerian.  

MESO 543a, Neo-Assyrian History.  Eckart Frahm. T 3–5

MESO 544b, Mesopotamian Selected Texts: Scholarly Texts.  Eckart Frahm. T 3–5

MESO 559a or b, Directed Readings: Assyriology.

MESO 571au, Tales from Before Homer: An Introduction to Sumerian and Babylonian Literature.  Eckart Frahm. MW 2.30–3.45

PERS 501u, Elementary Persian.  Fereshteh Amanat-Kowssar. MWF 9.30–10.20
An introduction to modern Persian, with emphasis on grammar and syntax as well as writing and reading simple prose. Both literary and classical Persian are taught in the second term.

PERS 502u, Intermediate Persian.  Fereshteh Amanat-Kowssar. MWF 10.30–11.20
Detailed analysis of Persian usage and syntax through the study of modern and classical texts in prose and poetry. Readings from newspapers, textbooks, historical writings, travelogues, classical and modern literature.

PERS 503, Persian Seminar: Identity and Awakening.  Fereshteh Amanat-Kowssar. MW 11.30–12.45

PERS 859a or b, Directed Readings: Persian.

SMTC 521u, Elementary Syriac.  Siam Bhayro. MW 3.30–4.45
The Mesopotamian Christian form of Aramaic widely used in the Roman and Byzantine Near East. Thorough grounding in grammar and vocabulary as a basis for reading biblical, historical, poetic, and theological texts.

SMTC 522a, Syriac Prose Texts.  Siam Bhayro.

SMTC 523b, Syriac Poetic Texts.  Siam Bhayro. F 10–12

SMTC 531au, Aramaic Survey I: First Millennium B.C.E.  Siam Bhayro. Th 2-4
This course introduces different dialects of Aramaic attested in the first millennium B.C.E. and consists of seminars in which prepared readings are analyzed and discussed with reference to historical and philological problems. Prerequisite: knowledge of Hebrew.

SMTC 532bu, Aramaic Survey II: Dialects of the Common Era.  Siam Bhayro. Th 2-4
The course, which aims to introduce students to the different dialects of Aramaic attested in the Common Era, consists of seminars in which prepared readings are analyzed and discussed with reference to historical and philological problems. Prerequisite: knowledge of Hebrew.

SMTC 542b, Ethiopic.  Siam Bhayro. F 2–4

TKSH 501u, Elementary Turkish.  Staff. MTWThF 9–10

TKSH 502u, Intermediate Turkish.  Staff. TTh 11.30–12.45

NELC 503a, The Art of Ancient Palaces.  Karen Foster.

NELC 504bu, Art of the Ancient Near East and Aegean.  Karen Foster.
Introduction to the art and architecture of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Aegean, with attention to cultural and historical contexts.

NELC 506b, History of Mesopotamia: Third Millennium B.C.E.  Benjamin Foster.

[NELC 507a, History of Mesopotamia: Second Millennium B.C.E.]

[NELC 508b, History of Mesopotamia: First Millennium B.C.E.]  

[NELC 510au, Conflicts that Shaped Pharaonic Egypt.]  

[NELC 511bu, Ancient Egypt from the Ramesside to the Ptolemaic Periods.]

[NELC 512bu, Egyptian Religion through the Ages.]  

[NELC 544a, Mesopotamian Selected Texts: Bilingual.]

[NELC 545b, Neo-Babylonian.]  

[NELC 563bu, From Pictograph to Pixel: Changing Ways of Human Communication.

[NELC 566a, Late Period Historical Texts: Napatan Historical Inscriptions.]

[NELC 566b, Literary Texts in Late Egyptian.]

NELC 567a, Egyptian Religious Texts.

[NELC 568a, Selected Egyptian Literary Texts.]  

[NELC 569b, Ptolemaic and Roman Hieroglyphic Texts.]

[NELC 571a or b, Selected Egyptian Wisdom Texts.]

[NELC 572b, Ramesside Texts.]  

[NELC 573b, Introduction to Demotic.]  

[NELC 576a, Ancient Egyptian Epistlography.]  

[NELC 577b, Ancient Egyptian Cosmographic Texts.]  

[NELC 578a, Egyptian Religious Texts: The Ancient Egyptian Netherworld Books.]

NELC 579a or b, Directed Readings: Egyptology.

[NELC 586bu, Origins of Cities and States in Greater Mesopotamia.]

NELC 587bu, Environmental History of the Near East.   Th 9.30–11.20
Natural and anthropogenic climate and environmental changes of the Holocene studied in the lake, marine, and terrestrial records of West Asia. Periodic adaptations to these changes through the modern period within regional habitat-tracking, agricultural innovation and pastoralism, political expansion and disintegration, and ideological reformulation. Also ANTH 736bu, ARCG 736bu.

NELC 588bu, Civilizations and Collapse.  Harvey Weiss. Th 2.30–4.20
Collapse documented in the archaeological and early historical records of the Old and New Worlds, including Mesopotamia, Mesoamerica, the Andes, and Europe. Analysis of politicoeconomic vulnerabilities, resiliencies, and adaptations in the face of abrupt climate change, anthropogenic environmental degradation, resource depletion, “barbarian” incursions, or class conflict. Also ANTH 773bu, ARCG 773bu.

[NELC 590a, Coffin Texts.]  

[NELC 591b, Ancient Egyptian Love Poetry.]  

[NELC 592b, Death and Afterlife in Ancient Egypt.]  

[NELC 595a, Ancient Egyptian Art and Archaeology.]  .

[NELC 621, Ugaritic.]

[NELC 726au, Introduction to the History of Christianity in the Ancient World: Jesus to Augustine.]  

[NELC 735bu, Gnostic Religion and Literature.]

NELC 741bu, Introduction to Gnostic Texts in Coptic.  Bentley Layton. TTh 11.30–12.45

NELC 745au, Egyptian Monastic Literature in Coptic.  Bentley Layton. TTh 11.30–12.45

[NELC 772a, Classical Syriac Historiography.]

[NELC 773b, Theological and Literary Texts in Syriac.]

[NELC 807bu, Modern Islamic Thought.]

[NELC 808bu, Islamic Law: Concepts and Controversies.]

[NELC 809au, Science in the Islamic World.]

[NELC 810au, Memory, Fiction, and the Creation of Meaning in Classical Arabic Literature.]  

[NELC 811au, Love, Desire, and the Erotic in Classical Arabic Literature.]  

[NELC 812b, Abbasid Poetry in Context.]  

[NELC 818bu, Early Arabic Philosophy.]  

[NELC 829b, History of the Arabic Language.]  

[NELC 832b, Introduction to Medieval Arabic Literary Criticism.]  

[NELC 834b, Arab Historical Writing.]

[NELC 836b, Classical Arabic Biography.]  

[NELC 844b, Arabic Palaeography and Textual Criticism.]

[NELC 845a, Plato’s Laws in Arabic.]  

[NELC 847a, Medieval Islamic Ethics.]

[NELC 848a, Seminar in Islamic Theology.]

NELC 849a or b, Directed Readings: Arabic.

NELC 850a, Introduction to Arabic and Islamic Studies.  Dimitri Gutas. W 2.30–4.20
Comprehensive survey of the various subjects treated in Arabic and Islamic studies, with representative readings from each. Detailed investigation into the methods and techniques of scholarship in the field, with emphasis on acquiring familiarity with the bibliographical and other research tools.

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