Selected Course Offerings
"Introduction to Near Eastern Art and Archaeology"
The ancient Near East (present-day Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, and Turkey) is considered the 'cradle of civilization.' Here in the regions of Mesopotamia, Syria-Palestine, and Anatolia, the first urban societies arose and writing was invented. The first empires marshaled large armies and amassed fabulous riches. Complex religious and ritual ideologies were expressed in the art and architecture. And all has been revealed by the archaeologist's spade.
This course surveys the major archaeological sites and monuments from the earliest settlements in the Neolithic (10,000-6000 BCE) down to the conquest of the Near East by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE. Areas of coverage include Chatal Höyük, Sumer, Akkad, Babylonia, Assyria, and Persia. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between the arts and ancient society in order to enable students to acquire the skills for accessing and appreciating ancient civilizations.
"The Art of Ancient Mesopotamia: 3500 - 1000 BCE"
Mesopotamia, the 'land between the rivers,' is considered the cradle of civilization, its earliest urban centers appearing by 3500 BCE in the region of modern-day Iraq, Iran, and Syria. Along with urbanism came the emergence of temples and palaces as large-scale elite institutions (replete with written records). Their arts manifest some of the earliest complex representations. This course explores the art and architecture in terms of the social, political and cultural context of ancient Sumer, Babylonia and Assyria during the early period of urbanization and kingship. It provides an integrated picture of the arts of Mesopotamia and neighboring regions from 3500 to 1000 BCE with an emphasis on the development of visual narrative, the use of art in the expression of authority and legitimacy, and artistic interconnections between cultures.
The goal of the course is to encourage a critical reading of the works of art based on approaches from art history and archaeology. Readings will stress skills in looking at, analyzing and interpreting the art and architecture within their broader context. Sections will focus on discussion and application of art historical approaches, as well as hands-on study of objects from the Hearst Museum of Anthropology collection.
"The Art of Ancient Mesopotamia: 1000 - 330 BCE"
From 1000 to 330 BCE, Assyria, Babylon, and Persia dominated the ancient Near Eastern world, stretching from Greece and Egypt to Central Asia. In concert with imperial expansion came an explosion of artistic production ranging from carved palace reliefs to small-scale luxury objects. This course provides an integrated picture of the arts of the Near East, situating them within the broader social and political contexts of the first millennium BCE. In their conquest of foreign lands these powerful states came in contact with a diversity of cultures, which are manifested in the artistic repertoire and will also contribute to the course. The course provides an integrated picture of the arts of Mesopotamia and neighboring regions from 1000-330 BCE with an emphasis on the development of visual narrative, the use of art in the expression of authority and legitimacy, and artistic interconnections between cultures.
The goal of the course is to encourage a critical reading of the works of art based on approaches from art history and archaeology. Readings stress skills in looking at, analyzing and interpreting the art and architecture within their broader context. Sections focus on discussion and application of art historical approaches; collections on campus or in the area will be incorporated whenever possible.
"The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Turkey"
This course explores the art and archaeology of ancient Turkey from the Neolithic period to the time of Alexander's conquest of the Near East (330 BCE). The diversity of cultures and their development over time, including geographic and historical considerations, are studied in light of the ancient sites and monuments. The course follows a chronological structure, with an emphasis on significant topics related to the specific sites under consideration. Topics of discussion may include the Anatolian mother goddess, resource procurement, trade contacts, the Trojan war, and the rise of Phrygia and Lydia. A general theme throughout the course is the issue of defining indigenous, regional cultures and the ways in which they interacted with the broader ancient world of Greece and the Near East.
"The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Syria"
The modern state of Syria is home to many of the world's earliest complex societies, which flourished in its geographically and ecologically beneficial location. This course provides a broad background to the history and culture of ancient Syria through an examination of the archaeological sites and monuments from the Neolithic period to 500 BCE. The diversity of cultures and their development over time are assessed in light of the built environment and artistic production. The lectures follow a chronological format with an emphasis on significant topics related to the specific sites under consideration. Relations with Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean will be explored when relevant. Emphasis is placed on interpreting the material culture of the region within its social and political contexts.
"Minoan and Mycenaean Art"
This course analyzes the art, architecture, and archaeology of prehistoric Greece, concentrating on the Minoan and Mycenaean palatial arts of the Bronze Age (3000-1200 BCE). The evocative yet still enigmatic remains of palaces and funerary complexes, frescoes and vase paintings, and precious worked pieces will be closely examined in terms of their forms and cultural contexts. The place of prehistoric Greece in the international world of the eastern Mediterranean will also be explored.
"Special Topics in Fields of Near Eastern Studies: Ancient Near Eastern Studies"
This course provides a forum in which to pursue specialized topics relating to ancient Near Eastern art and archaeology. Topics might include intercultural exchanges among the Near East, Egypt and Greece, ideology and empire, or the archaeology of death. Depending on the topic, some knowledge of the ancient Near East may be helpful. Classes are limited in size in order to promote discussion.
Dissertation Supervision
Javier Alvarez-Mon, "The Arjan Tomb: At the Crossroads between the Elamite and the Persian Empires," second reader (chair David Stronach), 2006.
Alina Ayvazian, "Formation and Definition of Urartian Identity through Visual Media: A Glyptic Study," second reader (chair David Stronach), 2006.
Brown, Brian, "Monumentalizing Identity: Class, Ethnicity and Competition in North Syria and Assyria, 1200-800 BCE," co-chair with David Stronach, in progress.
Gabrielle Bruni, "Designs and Diffusion of Roman Geometric Mosaics in Southern Italy," outside reader (chair Steven Miller, Classics), in progress.
William Collins, "Cultural Transmission, Exchange and Complex Society in Late Fourth and Early Third Millennium BCE Inland West Syria," second reader (chair David Stronach), 2005.
Catherine Demos, "The Socio-Cultural Life of Semi-Precious Stone Commodities in the 3rd Millennium BCE," co-chair with David Stronach, in progress.
Constance Gane, "The Significance and Meaning of Mischwesen in Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid Art," second reader (chair David Stronach), in progress.
Sabrina Maras, "Religion and Identity in Achaemenid Persia: Cyrus II to Darius I," co-chair with David Stronach, in progress.
Catherine P. Foster, "A View from the "Periphery": Investigating the Indigenous Household at Kenan Tepe, Turkey in the Fourth Millennium BCE," chair, in progress.
Heidi Saleh, "Changes in Ethnic and Gender Identities under the Libyan Dynasties of Third Intermediate Period Egypt (ca. 1069-715 BCE): Analyses of Donation and Funerary Stelae," third reader (chair Carol Redmount), 2006.
Laura Steele, "'Nobody Wants to Take Care of Me!': An Historical, Theoretical, and Comparative Study of Slave Women in Ancient Mesopotamia," co-chair with Niek Veldhuis, in progress.