Assyriology

This MPhil caters both for beginners in Akkadian and those with some previous knowledge of the language. A demanding course, this MPhil delivers competence in the language and specialist knowledge of Mesopotamian culture and social history over a relatively short time. It can be a final degree or serve as the basis for further research using cuneiform documents or material culture.

All MPhil students in the Department of Archaeology take a Research Skills module and write a dissertation (15,000 words maximum). For the MPhil in Assyriology students also choose either three modules selected from a list of modules in Assyriology or two modules selected from a list of modules in Assyriology and one two-term module or two one-term modules from a list of optional modules in the Department of Archaeology. Students taking the MPhil in Assyriology must take a minimum of one Language module from the list of modules in Assyriology published by the department. The module choices must be approved by the Director of the MPhil in Assyriology.

Modules typically offered include:

Akkadian (Introductory Akkadian language and texts or Advanced Akkadian language and texts) Sumerian language and texts (The combination of Sumerian and Akkadian is at the discretion of the course coordinator). Mesopotamian culture (Mesopotamian religion, literature, and scholarship or Mesopotamian society, economy, and politics) Archaeology of Mesopotamia ('Prehistory to early States' or 'States to Empires' ) Not all modules will be available in all years.