PAPVB_15 The Ethnography of Mesopotamia and its bordering regions

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2023

The course is not taught in Spring 2023

Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Dr. phil. Maximilian Wilding (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Jarmila Bednaříková, CSc.
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Erlebachová
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 9 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim of the lecture is to provide students of Near East archaeology with an ‘ethnographic baseline’ for the core region, commonly called ‚Mesopotamia‘. The presentation stresses - at one time - the great diversity of natural and social landscapes in the area as well as such themes which are encountered throughout the entire realm. The lecture serves two purposes: (1) present ‘source cultures’ for an ethnoarchaeological comparison (David & Kramer 2003) and 2. To help the future prehistorian to perceive the matters-of-interest of the persons s/he works and lives with on a daily basis whilst performing as an excavator in the SW-Asia.
Syllabus
  • 1. Definition by watershed boundary. Landscapes & climate. Distribution of resources. Logistic constraints & opportunities. 2. Abridged modern history. 3. Interplay of sedentary living & nomadic existence. 4. - 6. Subsistence strategies, technology & material culture (overview). 7. Social organization. Actors & fractions of daily life (portraits). 8. - 9. Differences in traditional architecture, settlement patterns & land use. 10. Systems of belief (overview). 11. Minorities (portraits). 12. Outlook (discussion).
Literature
    recommended literature
  • • Fernea, Elizabeth Warnock, Guests of the Sheik: An Ethnography of an Iraqi Village, New York: Anchor Books, 1995.
  • • Salamandra, Christa, A New Old Damascus – Authenticity and Distinction in Urban Syra, Indiana: University Press, 2004.
  • • Eickelman, Dale F., The Middle East: an Anthropological Approach, 3rd Ed., New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1998.
  • • Lewis, Norman N., Nomads and Settlers in Syria and Jordan, 1800-1980 Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009.
  • • Lindholm Charles, The New Middle Eastern Ethnography, Journal of the Royal Athnropological Institue 1 (4): 805-820.
    not specified
  • • Encyclopadic Ethnography of Middle East and Central Asia, R. Khanam (ed.), 1st Ed., 3 Vols, New Delhi: Global Visison Publishing House, 2005.
Teaching methods
Teaching technique: direct-reflexive teacher/student dialogue. In the course the students will be trained to recognize inter-relations beyond the isolated ethnographic fact. In-class discussions will be favoured to develop the skill to approach ethnological issues with proper terminology. At intervals certain ‘teaching mile stones’ will be entrenched by students’ own presentations. Extra-focus on the analysis of visual materials (paintings, photos, film etc.). Seminary: In-class discussions will be favoured to develop the skill to approach ethnological issues with proper terminology. At least once a presentation of the results of an autonomous enquiry related to topics mentioned in the lectures is expected (student’s formal contribution).
Assessment methods
Assessment based on the cross-sum of: presence & communication; proficiency in making written notes; discussion input; 1 presentation; oral final exam. Final exam: ethnography of ‘Mesopotamian’ minority populations.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2012, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2023/PAPVB_15