Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE NES3015

 
TITLE Ugaritic

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit delves into the basics of the ancient Ugaritic language, script, and writing system. Ugaritic was a Northwest Semitic language used in the city of Ugarit (modern-day Ras Shamra, Syria) during the Late Bronze Age (ca.1550-1200 BCE). It is one of the early alphabetic writing systems and was written in a cuneiform script. Ugaritic is renowned for its significance in the fields of linguistics, archaeology, and the mythology and religious beliefs of the ancient Near East, following the discovery of Ugaritic texts in the 1920s that revealed a wealth of literary and religious texts that included famous Ugaritic myths and epic poetry. This study-unit focuses on basic notions of grammar, vocabulary, and translation of simple phrases and select Ugaritic texts, and explores the significance of Ugaritic in the broader historical and linguistic context of the region.

Study-unit Aims:

- To introduce students to the Ugaritic alphabet and writing system, the main phonological principles of the language, and pronunciation of words;
- To develop students' ability to recognize, read, and write basic Ugaritic cuneiform signs and the basics of grammar and syntax;
- To explain basic notions of Ugaritic through the reading of select inscriptions found at Ugarit;
- To help students grasp the significance of Ugaritic in Ugaritic society and culture, as well as that of the surviving Ugaritic inscriptions and their place amidst alphabetic writing systems in the ancient Near East.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- identify the Ugaritic alphabet;
- recognize and differentiate between Ugaritic consonant and vowel signs;
- read and transcribe basic Ugaritic texts and inscriptions, understanding their phonetic and grammatical meanings;
- demonstrate the ability to write basic sentences and phrases using the Ugaritic cuneiform alphabet and transliterated Ugaritic;
- explain the historical and cultural importance of Ugaritic and surviving Ugaritic inscriptions in the ancient Near East;
- interpret simple Ugaritic inscriptions found in archaeological contexts;
- develop an appreciation for the culture and language of the city of Ugarit.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- undertake a close reading of inscriptions and inscribed monuments;
- sharpen their powers of observation and eye for detail;
- link, without confusing, textual and material evidence thereby gaining a holistic view of past societies in Ugarit.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:
- Schniedewind, William M. and Hunt, Joel H. (2007) A Primer on Ugaritic: Language, Culture, and Literature, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Williams, Michael (2012) Basics of Ancient Ugaritic: A Concise Grammar, Workbook, and Lexicon, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

Supplementary Readings:
- Bordreuil, Pierre, and Pardee, Dennis (2009) A Manual of Ugaritic, Linguistic Studies in Ancient West Semitic, Vol. 3, Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns.
- Pardee, Dennis (2002) Ritual and Cult at Ugarit. Writings from the Ancient World. Atlanta: SBL Press.
- Screnock, John and Olivero, Vladimir (2022) A Grammar of Ugaritic. Atlanta: SBL Press.

The above is a sample list of bibliographic items. The lecturer will provide a more detailed bibliography in class and on VLE.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (2 Hours) SEM2 Yes 50%
Oral and Written Exercises SEM2 Yes 50%

 
LECTURER/S Abigail Zammit

 

 
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It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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