This book can be purchased at the University Bookstore, in Barnes & Noble and on Internet.

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. 
 

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

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

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.

Readings for meetings # 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.

REVIEW!!!

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.

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. 

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.

Readings for meetings # 12:

Book: Chapter 7. Pp. 119-134.
Notes: EW: # 12 

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.

TAKE HOME EXAM!!!
 

Readings for meetings #13 &14:

Book: Chapters 8-10. Pp. 136-173.
Notes: EW: # 13 & 14

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."

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"

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.