Undergraduate Program

The major in Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations is a liberal arts major that gives students a sound competence in a Near Eastern language and a broad knowledge of the literatures, civilizations, history, and archaeology of the Near East. The major also provides essential preparation for graduate or professional work in which a knowledge of Near Eastern languages, history, and archaeology is required.

Depending on the student's interests, the major is built around study of one or more Near Eastern languages leading to a concentration in the ancient Near East (Egypt, Mesopotamia, or Syria-Palestine), in Hebrew language and literature, in the languages and literatures of the Christian Near East, or in Arabic and Islamic studies.

Official Yale College program and course information is found in Yale College Programs of Study, available on line at www.yale.edu/yalecollege/publications/ycps

Requirements of the major. The requirements of the major are twelve term courses in the department, or their equivalent. No more than six term course credits from other institutions will be accepted toward this requirement. The course work includes at least two years of study of a Near Eastern language and no fewer than three term courses in the history and civilizations of the Near East, at least one term of which must be in the ancient and one in the Islamic Near East. Students should work out coherent programs of study in one of four areas of concentration:

1. Ancient Near Eastern languages and literatures, with emphasis on Egypt, Mesopotamia, or Syria-Palestine. Students interested in Egypt take at least two years of Egyptian, as well as courses in the history, art, archaeology, and literature of ancient Egypt, and, in some cases, Coptic. Students interested in Mesopotamia take at least two years of Akkadian, as well as courses in the history, art, literature, archaeology, and civilizations of the ancient Near East. Students interested in Syria-Palestine take at least two years of biblical Hebrew, as well as courses in the history and civilizations of the ancient Near East. (Courses in Egyptian and Akkadian beyond the introductory level are listed in the graduate school bulletin and are open to all qualified undergraduates).

2. Hebrew language and literature. Students take two years or more of Hebrew (ancient or modern, but in any case at least two years of one period of the language), and courses in Hebrew literature and in the history and civilizations of the Near East. Students interested in specializing in this area with less emphasis on language study should consider the major in Judaic Studies.

3. Languages and literatures of the Christian Near East. Students take two years of either Coptic or Syriac and two years of Greek or Arabic (including one term of Christian texts), and courses in ancient Christianity and the history of the Near East. Students in this area of concentration are strongly advised to begin their language training not later than the sophomore year.

4. Arabic and Islamic studies. Students take at least two years of Arabic, and courses in Arabic literature, Arab civilization, Islamic religion, Near Eastern history, and Persian language. ARBC 101 is a prerequisite for this
area and counts as one term course toward the twelve required. ARBC 102 is not counted toward the major. In their senior year, they take NELC 490a or NELC 491a, the seminars for the major in Arabic and Islamic studies. Students in this area of concentration are strongly advised to begin their language training as early as possible, and certainly not later than the sophomore year.

Well-qualified students who have acquired the requisite background in undergraduate courses may, with the permission of the instructor, the director of undergraduate studies, and the director of graduate studies, be admitted to graduate courses where no suitable undergraduate courses exist. In addition, courses from such other departments and programs as Archaeological Studies, History, History of Art, Judaic Studies, and Political Science, as well as college seminars, are routinely accepted for credit toward the major if they deal with Near Eastern topics.

Senior essay. To derive full benefit from the major, the student should acquire practical experience in using Near Eastern languages for research purposes. Therefore all students in the major undertake a senior essay that involves substantial use of materials in one or more Near Eastern languages. The topic and a prospectus signed by an adviser are to be submitted to the director of undergraduate studies by the end of the fourth week of classes in either term of the senior year. The senior essay may be written under the rubric of NELC 492a and/or 493b, or as an extended seminar paper in a departmental seminar course, in which case the instructor serves as the essay adviser. All course schedules must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies.

*Requirement of competence in a foreign language. This may be met in any of the languages offered by the Department of Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations, such as ancient Egyptian, Akkadian, Arabic, or Hebrew, by successful completion of an intermediate course. In Arabic, such a course is ARBC 103; in Hebrew, HEBR 102. Students may also demonstrate competence by passing a departmental examination, given at the beginning of the fall term, equivalent to successful completion of an intermediate course, though no term credit is earned by passing such an examination. Students wishing to take a departmental examination should contact the director of undergraduate studies.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR

Prerequisite: Arabic and Islamic studies, ARBC 101; all other areas, none.

Number of courses: Twelve term courses (including the senior essay).

Distribution of courses: Two years of a Near Eastern language; three courses in Near Eastern history and civilizations, one in ancient and one in the Islamic Near East; majors choose an area of concentration from ancient or Christian Near Eastern languages and literatures, Hebrew language and literature, or Arabic and Islamic studies.

Specific course requirement: Arabic and Islamic studies, NELC 490a or 491b.

Senior requirement: Senior essay using materials in one or more Near Eastern languages (in NELC 492a and/or 493b, or in a departmental seminar).

Undergraduate Courses