| A historical , comparative survey of the origins and diversity of human societies in northeastern Africa (Egypt, Nubia) and western Asia (Anatolia, Levant, Mesopotamia, Arabia, Persia), from the earliest organized political and religious communities to the Arab conquest. Historical processes of special emphasis will include: transition to agriculture; urbanization; state and empire building; emergence of major religious traditions; migrations and cultural crosscurrents. Topics will be explored taking into account the latest textual and archaeological evidence. The course should provide historical understanding of the current ethnic, liguistic, and religious diversity in the region. |
