Program Overview

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Near Eastern Studies, Bachelor of Arts

The Near Eastern Studies major can be the focal point of a broad liberal arts education, as well as a basis for graduate study. An undergraduate major can specialize in one of the four main areas of specialization of the department - Egyptology, Assyriology, Northwest Semitic languages and literatures (including the Hebrew Bible), and Near Eastern Archaeology and Art - or in the civilizations of the ancient Near East in general.

Major Requirements

• Students must earn a C- or higher grade in all courses used to satisfy major requirements and courses may not be taken satisfactory/unsatisfactory.
• Courses taken at another institution that are not directly equivalent to a JHU course may not apply towards the major without permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Writing and Communication in the Major

• Students must complete at least 6 credits of Writing and Communication foundational ability coursework in one major.
• For this major, students would be able to fulfill this requirement by completing the required course AS.130.420 Research Methods: Arts of the Mesopotamian World: Crafters & Consumers and selecting 3 credits of an elective course in the major that is designated as a Writing and Communications course.

Course List

Introductory Courses

• Select two of the following:
  • AS.130.101 Ancient Middle Eastern Civilizations
  • AS.130.119 Medicine in Ancient Egypt
  • AS.130.126 Gods and Monsters in Ancient Egypt
  • AS.130.153 A (Virtual) Visit to the Louvre Museum: Introduction to the Material Culture of Ancient Egypt
  • AS.130.154 Giving Birth and Coming to Life in Ancient Egypt: The Tree and the Fruit

Upper-Level Core Courses

• Select two of the following:
  • AS.130.301 History of Ancient Syria-Palestine
  • AS.130.302 History: Ancient Syria-Palestine II
  • AS.130.300 History of Ancient Mesopotamia (when offered)
  • AS.130.382 History of Mesopotamia II (when offered)
  • AS.130.420 Research Methods: Arts of the Mesopotamian World: Crafters & Consumers

Focus Area Courses

• Four 300-level courses in a focus area of art and archaeology, history and culture, or language
• Three Near Eastern Studies courses at any level

Total Credits

• 33 credits

Sample Program of Study

A typical path toward degree completion might include the following sequence of courses:

First Year

• First Semester: Near Eastern elective at any level, 3 credits
• Second Semester: Required intro course, 3 credits

Second Year

• First Semester: Required intro course, 3 credits; Course in focus area at 300 level, 3 credits
• Second Semester: Near Eastern elective at any level, 3 credits

Third Year

• First Semester: Required upper level core course, 3 credits; AS.130.420, 3 credits
• Second Semester: Required upper level core course, 3 credits; Course in focus area at 300 level, 3 credits

Fourth Year

• First Semester: Course in focus area at 300 level, 3 credits; Near Eastern elective at any level, 3 credits
• Second Semester: Course in focus area at 300 level, 3 credits

Honors

Those seniors wishing to be considered for departmental honors may choose to write a senior thesis. A student must maintain a 3.5 GPA in the major (through the junior year) to be eligible for departmental honors. It is advisable for such students to contact a faculty member to supervise the thesis during the spring semester of their junior year and to notify the departments Director of Undergraduate Studies. The student should then register for two semesters of independent study in the senior year. The student will need to complete the thesis and submit it for approval to their faculty advisor in the final semester of their coursework.