In this class, we will be looking at the development of religion from earliest historical times in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt up through the early centuries of the Later Roman Empire. We will be covering a geographical area which corresponds roughly to the present Middle East, as well as the Greek and Italic peninsulas. Since there is an entire separate course taught on the history of Christianity, that religion will not be considered in the class.

While making occasional references to political, cultural, and social matters in order to provide context where it is needed, we will concentrate primarily on the theory and practice of the religions we will be discussing. Much of this will involve concepts and vocabulary which you may not be totally familiar with, therefore, it is important that you do the reading for the course.

Grading and Written Assignments: Given the limited time frame for the completion of this course and the nature of the material, written examinations do not seem to be appropriate. You will have three options to fulfill this requirement for the class. (1) Two research papers, 6-8 pages in length, with the first due March 1 and the second due on April 25, (1) One long paper, 14-16 pages, due on April 25, or (3) an annotated bibliography, due on April 25. Please see me by the end of the first week of class to discuss your research topic. If you are unsure about a topic, please skim through the book and see which religion is of interest to you. Papers must be typed, double-spaced, and containing the appropriate bibliography and footnotes; the annotated bibliography must, obviously, be in the proper form. Each day late costs you one letter grade. Are we clear on this?

Undergraduates: The research paper for undergraduates will be of moderate length, between ten and twelve pages. You may choose the system of citation which is familiar to you. Papers due dates are above.

Graduates: The research paper for graduates will be between twelve and fifteen pages in length. Graduate students in History are strongly encouraged to use Turabian as a guide to citations. If you wish to do a first draft, he first draft will be due on April 1. Final drafts will be due on April 25.

All students: Your research assignment will count for 80% of your grade. The remaining 20% of your grade will be based upon your interest, participation, and ability to demonstrate in class discussion that you are familiar with the material being studied. Obviously, it is important that you participate in this class as an equal member.

Attendance is not required. However, be advised that given the difficult and unfamiliar nature of the material, failure to attend on a regular basis may materially affect your grade. If you miss a significant portion of the material, then you have not been exposed to the material such that I can, in good conscience, give you a high grade. Twenty percent of your grade will be based upon consistent attendance. If you find this troubling and believe that it is an unreasonable expectation and an unconscienable infringement on your right to be a slacker, and are aware that you have a past history of inconsistent attendance in your classes, you will want to consider another class for this time slot. We will miss you terribly, indeed, we will be heartbroken, but we will also be happier in the long run.

ONCE MORE FOR CLARITY: Anyone failing to attend regularly will find a reduction of their final grade of not less than two full letter grades. I cannot, indeed will not, give you a high grade is you miss a major portion of the class.

Required Book: Seltzer, Robert M. ed. Religions of Antiquity Last minute note: Apparently the book is out-of-print. You may find the various religions in the Encyclopedia of Religion, which is in the Reference Room of Sherrod Library.

Reading Assignments: We will be considering the various religions in the sequence that they appear in the Table of Contents. Please, feel free to read ahead! However, at the end of each class I will inform you of what you need to be reading for the next two days. I expect to spend the first week of class on the religions of Mesopotamia and Egypt. Please begin your readings accordingly.

Suggestions for resarch topics: Given the severely constricted time-frame for this class, it is important that you choose a research topic and begin work as soon as possible. Toward that end, I will make a few suggestions for topics, but you are not limited to these. They are simply meant to be a means to order your thinking.

• Limit your topic to a fairly narrow subject; it is not necessary to construct an entire history of any particular religion.
  
• You may choose to concentrate on a particular historical figure and his/her effect on a religion.
  
• You may choose to concentrate on a particular god or goddess and how that deity related to and affected the culture which practiced that religion.
  
• You may choose to discuss the moral or ethical implications of a religion.
  
• You may choose to discuss the cultural and social implications of a religion.
  
• You may choose to discuss the concept of an afterlife in a particular religion
  and how that related or did not relate to worldly life.
  
• You may choose to discuss the impact of a religion or a religious figure on the political institutions of those who practiced that religion.
  
• You may choose something else, but choose something!
  

Last updated: The Ides of January, 2004