SPRING 2005

Anthropology 3969-02 & 5969-02
Creation Stories of the Middle East
Spring Semester 2005
Dr. Ewa Wasilewska

				COURSE OUTLINE

Instructor:		Dr. Ewa Wasilewska

Office hours: 		By appointment only. Please call the Department of Anthropology
			(581-6251) and leave your name, phone number, and class number. 

Time:			Each Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
			
Location:		Campus: ST 205

Important dates:	Jan. 19, 05 – last day to drop classes
			Jan. 24, 05 – last day to add classes
			Jan. 24, 05 – last day to elect CR/NC option or to audit classes
			March 4, 05 – last day to withdraw from term length classes

Required texts:	Ewa Wasilewska: Creation Stories of the Middle East. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2000.	(Book)
	
•	This book can be purchased at the University Bookstore, in Barnes & Noble and on Internet.

Ewa Wasilewska: Creation Stories of the Middle East. 			Notes. 2005 (EW)

•	Notes can be purchased from an instructor during the first two meetings.

			RESERVE (Marriott Library):

•	Since the only book in English, which can be used for this course, is the one written by the instructor, additional readings are required. They (2 copies of each) are placed on reserve for your use instead of the reading packet, which would be too expensive. Their titles are listed below, under specific topics for each meeting. 

Subject:	This course is designed to introduce students to creation stories of the ancient Middle East which have influenced modern religious systems and through them other aspects of socio-cultural systems. Each set of myths is presented within its specific historical, socio-economic, political and cultural context. In order to encourage students to learn how to analyze and interpret myths of different societies, theoretical and methodological issues are scheduled to be discussed and mostly translations of ancient texts are used. 	

Requirements:	UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
			
The final grade will be based on three exams and a final paper on creation stories of the Middle East (10-12 pages plus bibliography). Exams will be especially designed for the type of material that will be covered during class meetings.  In order to pass these exams it is necessary to attend lectures and to read the required material.			
			The most important information, names, terms, definitions, etc.,				can be found in the notes prepared by the instructor in order to 				structure the learning process in the most effective way. 
			
			GRADUATE STUDENTS

In addition to the requirements listed above, graduate students are required to write a research paper of ca. 20 pages (plus bibliography). Each topic must be discussed with the instructor first.	

Meeting # 1—Jan. 11, 2005

Introduction to the course. Myth: its origin and meaning. Part 1.

	READINGS FOR MEETINGS # 1 & 2:

		Book: Introduction. Pp. 9-12.

		Notes: EW: # 1 & 2

		RESERVE:

		Kurtz, Paul: UFO Mythology: The Escape to Oblivion. In "Skeptical
		Inquirer," July/August 1997. Pp. 12-14.

		Gardner, Martin: Heaven's Gate: The UFO Cult of Bo and Peep. In 				"Skeptical Inquirer," July/August 1997. Pp. 15-17.
	
		Puhvel, Jaan: Introduction. The Study of Myth. In "Comparative 				Mythology." The John Hopkins University Press: 1987. Pp. 1-20.

		Kirk, G.S.: Myth, Ritual and Folktale. In "Myth, Its Meaning and 				Functions in Ancient and Other Cultures." Cambridge University Press: 			1973. Pp. 1-41.

Meeting # 2 – Jan. 18, 2005

Myth: its origin and meaning. Part 2.

	READINGS FOR MEETING # 3 & 4:

		Book: Introduction. Pp. 13-17.

		Notes: EW: # 3 & 4

		RESERVE:

		Eickelman, Dale F.: Anthropology, the Middle East, and Central Asia. In 			"The Middle East and Central Asia." Prentice Hall: 1998. Pp. 1-26.
				
Soden, Wolfram von: I. The Term "Ancient Orient" and Its Demarcation. II. The Scene. III. Peoples and Cultures in the Ancient Orient. In " The Ancient Orient." William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company: 1994. Pp.1-30.

Meeting # 3 – Jan. 25, 2005

Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East: Introduction to social geography of the past and present. Part 1. 

Meeting # 4 – Feb. 1, 2005

Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East: Introduction to social geography of the past and present. Part 2.

	READINGS FOR MEETINGS # 5 & 6:

		Book: Part I. Pp. 20-42.

		Notes: EW: # 5 & 6

RESERVE: 

		Kramer, Samuel Noah: Introduction. Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4. In "History
		Begins at Sumer." Doubleday Anchor Books: 1959. Pp. XVII-XXV, 1-28.

		Meeks, Dimitri & Christine Favard-Meeks: Introduction. In " Daily Life
		of the Egyptian Gods." Cornell University Press: 1996. Pp. 1-10.

		Faulkner, R.O.: Introduction. In "The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead."
		University of Texas Press: 1997. Pp. 11-16.

		Wallace, Howard N.:  Chapter II. The Yahwistic Source and Its Oral 				Antecedents. In "The Eden Narrative." Scholars Press: 1985. Pp. 29-64.

		Cross, Frank Moore: 11. The Priestly Work. In "Canaanite Myth and 			Hebrew Epic. Essays in the History of the Religion of Israel." Harvard 			University Press: 1973. Pp.293-325.

		Oldenberg, Hermann: Introduction. The Sources. In "The Religion of the 			Veda." Motilal Banarsidass: 1988. Pp. 1-22.

		Rajaram, Navaratna S. & David Frawley: Chapters 1 & 2. In "Vedic 				'Aryans' and the Origins of Civilization." W.H. Press, Inc.: 1995. 

		Esposito, John L.: The Content of Law. In "Islam. The Straight Path."
		Oxford University Press. 1988. Pp. 89-95.

Meeting # 5 – Feb. 8, 2005

Religion: The Non-Existent Concept. Written sources from the Middle East -- a survey.
Review!!!

Meeting # 6 – Feb. 15, 2005

EXAM!!!

READINGS FOR MEETINGS # 7 &8:

		Book: Chapter 5. Pp. 44-74.

		Notes: EW: # 7 & 8

		RESERVE: 
		
		Foster, Benjamin R., tr.: Epic of Creation. In "From Distant Days. Myths, 			Tales, and Poetry of Ancient Mesopotamia." CDL Press: 1995. Pp. 9-51. 

		Ions, Veronica: In  "Egyptian Mythology. "  New York: Peter Bedrick 			Books. 1983. Pp. 21-23.

		Wilson, John A.: The Memphite Theology of Creation. In "ANET" edited 			by James E. Pritchard. Princeton University Press. 1973. Pp. 1-2. 

		Allen, James P.tr.: From Papyrus Leiden I 350 (1.16). In William W. 			Hallo, editor, K. Lawson Younger, Jr. Associate Editor, The Context of 			Scripture. Volume I: Canonical Compositions from the Biblical World. 			Leiden, New York, Kˆln: Brill. 1997.  Pp. 23-26.

		The Jerusalem Bible: Reader's Edition: Genesis. 1968. Pp. 4-15.

		Selections from "The Qur'an. The First American Version." Amana
		Books. 1985. 
	
Meeting # 7 – Feb. 22, 2005

Creation of Universe: Out of Watery Order or Chaos. Part I.  

Meeting # 8 – March 1, 2005

Creation of Universe: Out of Watery Order or Chaos. Part II  

READINGS FOR MEETINGS # 9, 10, 11:

		Book: Chapter 6. Pp. 75-118.

		Notes: EW: # 9-11

		RESERVE: 
		
		Kramer, Samuel Noah and Maier, John: Inanna and Enki: The Transfer of 			the Arts of Civilization from Eridu to Erech. In"Myths of Enki, The Crafty 			God. " New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1989. Pp. 57-68.

		Foster, Benjamin R.tr.: Anzu, The Bird Who Stole Destiny. In  "From 			Distant Days. Myths, Tales, And Poetry of Ancient Mesopotamia." CDL 			Press. 1995. Pp. 115-131.

		Matthews, Victor H. & Don. C. Benjamin: Stories of Ishtar and Tammuz. 			In "Old Testament Parallels." Paulist Press. 1997. Pp. 305-311.

		Quirke, Stephen: Power in Heaven. In "Ancient Egyptian Religion." Dover
		Publications. 1997. Pp. 21-51.

		Hoffner, Harry A.:  Old Anatolian Myths. Hurrian Myths. In "Hittite 			Myths." Scholars Press. 1990. Pp. 9-22, 38-62.

		Curtis, Vesta Sarkhosh: Introduction. The Gods And The Creation of
		The Ancient Iranian World. In " Persian Myths." University of Texas 			Press. 1993. Pp. 7-20. 

		Mark S. Smith: The Story of Baal Cycle. In "The Ugaritic Baal Cycle."
		E. J. Brill: 1994. Pp. XXII-XXVIII.

		Meshel, Ze'ev: Did Yahweh Have a Consort? In Biblical Archaeology 			Review,  1979. March/April. Pp. 24-36.

Meeting # 9 – March 8, 2005

Creation of Universe: Divine Order and Its Creators. Part I.

Meeting # 10 – March 15, 2005

SPRING BREAK!

Meeting # 11 – March 22, 2005

Creation of Universe: Divine Order and Its Creators. Part II

READINGS FOR MEETINGS # 12, 13:

		Book: Chapter 7. Pp. 119-134.

		Notes: EW: # 12 & 13

RESERVE: 
		
		Foster, Benjamin R.tr.: How Adapa Lost Immortality. Etana, the King 			without Heir.  In  "From Distant Days. Myths, Tales, And Poetry of 				Ancient Mesopotamia." CDL Press. 1995. Pp. 97 -- 114.
	
		Dalley, Stephanie: The Epic of Gilgamesh. In Myths from Mesopotamia. 			Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press. 1989. Pp. 39-153.

		Silverman, David P.: Divinity and Deities in Ancient Egypt. In Shafer, 			Byron E. ed. Religion in Ancient Egypt. Gods, Myths, and Personal 				Practice. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press. 1991. Pp. 7-87.

Meeting # 12 – March 29, 2005

Creation of Universe: Almost Divine: Chosen People. Part I. 

	READINGS FOR MEETING # 12 ( second part) & # 13:

Book: Chapters 8-10. Pp. 136-173.

		Notes: EW: # 13

RESERVE:  
		
		Lichtheim, Miriam: Instructions. Merikare (1.35). In William W. Hallo, 			editor, K. Lawson Younger, Jr. Associate Editor, The Context of Scripture. 			Volume I: Canonical Compositions from the Biblical World. Leiden, New 			York, Kˆln: Brill. 1997. Pp. 61-67.

		Kramer, Samuel Noah & John Maier: Enki and Ninmah: The Creation of
		Humankind. In "Myths of Enki, the Crafty God." Oxford University Press.
		1989. Pp. 31-37. 

		Kramer, Samuel Noah & John Maier: Enki and Ninhursag: A Sumerian 			Paradise Myth. In "Myths of Enki, the Crafty God." Oxford University 			Press. 1989. Pp. 22-30. 

		Hinnells, John R.: The Myth of Creation... In "Persian Mythology."
		Peter Bedrick Books. 1985. Pp. 59-63.

•	Please review "Enuma Elish, " "Genesis" and selections from the "Qur'an"

Meeting # 13 – April 5, 2005

Creation of Universe: Almost Divine: Chosen People. Part II. 
Creation of Humankind. Part I.

TAKE HOME EXAM!!!

Meeting # 14 – April 12, 2005

Creation of Humankind. Part II.

READINGS FOR MEETING# 15:
	
		Book: Chapter 11. Pp. 174-184.

		Notes: EW: # 15

		RESERVE: 
		
		Foster, Benjamin R. tr.: Story of the Flood.  In  "From Distant Days. 			Myths, Tales, And Poetry of 	Ancient Mesopotamia." CDL Press. 1995. 			Pp. 53-77.

		Lesko, Leonard H.  Ancient Egyptian Cosmogonies and Cosmology. In 			Shafer, Byron E. ed. Religion in Ancient Egypt. Gods, Myths, and 				Personal Practice. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press. 1991.Pp. 			88-122.

		Malandra, William W.: Yima. In "An Introduction to Ancient Iranian 			Religion. Readings from the Avesta and Achaemenid Religion. "  				Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. 1983. Pp. 175-182.

•	Please review "Genesis"

Meeting # 15 – April 19, 2005

Destruction of Humankind. 

READINGS FOR MEETING # 16:

		Book: Part 4. Pp. 186-199.

		Notes: EW: # 16

RESERVE: 
		
		Dalley, Stephanie: Nergal and Ereshkigal. In "Myths from Mesopotamia.."  			Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press. 1989. Pp. 163-181.

		Foster, Benjamin R.tr.: When Ishtar Went to the Netherworld.  In "From 			Distant Days. Myths, Tales, And Poetry of Ancient Mesopotamia." CDL 			Press. 1995. Pp. 78-84.

		Faulkner, R.O., tr.: Spell 175. In "The Ancient Egyptian Book of the 				Dead." University of Texas Press. 1997. Pp. 175.

Meeting # 16 – April 26, 2005

The End.

Meeting # 17 – May 3, 2005

FINAL EXAM!!!

Last day to turn in a final paper.