Admission requirements
None.
Description
Sumerian is one of the oldest written languages in the world. It is written with the cuneiform script, which the Sumerians invented around 3200 BC. More than 100,000 Sumerian texts have come down to us on clay tablets and stone artifacts, including thousands of historical inscriptions and literary texts. Most of these date to the period from about 3200 until 1700 BC, when Sumerian was the main written language of southern Mesopotamia. In this course we will cover the basic grammar of Sumerian and read a number of simple texts.
Course objectives
After this course you can
describe the basic principles of the Sumerian script and spelling,
analyze the grammatical structure of simple Sumerian forms and clauses,
define the meanings of about 300 frequent Sumerian words, and
translate simple Sumerian texts.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar.
Assessment method
Assessment and weighing
Assessment will be in three parts:
weekly written tests on vocabulary and grammar (20% of the final grade)
a mid-term assignment of a text to be read independently (20% of the final grade)
a written exam on the subject matter of the course (60% of the final grade)
The final grade for the course is established by determining the weighted average with the additional requirement that the written exam must have a grade above 5.49.
Resit
If the final grade is below 6.0, the written exam can be repeated.
Exam review
Students can view their marked examinations and request (additional) feedback for a period of 30 days after the publication of the grades.
Reading list
The study materials will be provided through Brightspace at the beginning of the course.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory. General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration Contract teaching and Exchange
Information for those interested in taking this course in the context of Contract teaching (including taking examinations), e.g. about costs, registration and conditions.
Exchange students having questions regarding registration, may contact the Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Vrieshof
Remarks
This course will be taught in Dutch if there are no international students participating in it.
This course is an Admission requirement for the course Sumerian Texts: Gudea.