The Hittites: The Archaeology of an Ancient Near Eastern Civilisation (P02533)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HCA-P-P02533

The course builds on the tradition of the teaching of Near Eastern Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh and complements existing courses at Postgraduate level. It provides an in depth survey of Hittite civilisation from its first emergence during the 2nd millennium BC until its fall circa 1200 BC. The primary focus of interest is the core area of the Hittite empire on the Anatolian Plateau (modern Turkey) and the extent of Hittite influence in neighbouring areas (from Syria and the Levant to the Aegean littoral). Attention is also paid to relations with powerful rivals and contemporaries, including the Egyptians and the Mycenaeans. Questions and debates about state formation and collapse are of particular importance, as well as the nature of Hittite society with reference to economy, religion, social organisation, and ideology. The course ends by considering the legacy of the Hittites for later civilisations.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Costs : None.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Archaeology, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
25/09/2008	09:00	10:50	Room 1.F01, Old High School	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	09:00	10:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : N.B. timetable is arranged annually

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the course successfully will have obtained a good understanding of the following:
- the place of Hittite civilisation within the broader context of Near Eastern history and archaeology.
- the Hittites as a case study in Bronze Age state formation.
- the significance and uses of different forms of evidence for the period.
- different theoretical and methodological perspectives in the assessment of Hittite archaeology.
- the history of scholarship in the study of the Hittites.

In addition, students will be expected to demonstrate the following through assessed coursework:
- ability to critique and analyze approaches and interpretations used in the archaeology of the Hittites
- ability to synthesize, prepare an argument and discuss key conceptual issues relating to the primary and secondary sources of evidence
- ability to access key library and other archival resources
- ability to formulate research questions in relation to the archaeology of the area in the light of current debates and scholarly interests