This MPhil caters both for beginners in Akkadian and Sumerian and those with some previous knowledge of the languages. A demanding course, this MPhil delivers competence in the languages and specialist knowledge of Mesopotamian culture and social history over a relatively short time. It can be a final degree or serve as the basis for further research using cuneiform documents or material culture.
The aims of the course are to:
provide students with the opportunity to study, at an advanced level, substantive subjects and major debates in the field of ancient Mesopotamia, through lectures, seminars, and language classes; by the end of the course, students are expected to display competence in this field.
prepare students for research in the languages, history, culture and archaeology of Mesopotamia at doctoral level and beyond; by the end of the course, students are expected to be able to pursue independent research in this specialisation.
give students training in a range of general, transferable skills, such as writing, presentation, research design, data analysis, and formulating and analysing arguments. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to exercise these skills in independent research in historical, archaeological, literary, linguistic and cultural topics, and in any professional-level work which requires them.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this MPhil, students:
Will have developed a good working knowledge of one or both of the principal languages of ancient Mesopotamia (Akkadian and Sumerian) and the cuneiform script, combined with a detailed study of aspects of the archaeology and culture of Mesopotamia, and (where appropriate) other regions.
Through their own independent research, they will have gained a nuanced understanding of the nature of the cuneiform evidence, its interpretation, and its broader historical context.
Gained an understanding of the broader context, theoretical debates and methods in Assyriology, as well as an awareness of the professional and academic frameworks that shape the field of Assyriology in the 21st century. They will also have acquired advanced knowledge and critical understanding of ancient Mesopotamia through its textual record.
Attained advanced research skills, including the ability to design and execute independent projects, critically evaluate sources and data, and construct coherent, evidence-based arguments. They will have gained proficiency in relevant analytical, quantitative, or digital methods, as appropriate to their chosen approach to the textual record of Mesopotamia.
The programme also fosters high-level writing skills, the ability to express and present scholarly ideas and reasoning, and to be able to defend the ideas and reasoning in a range of contexts and to a range of audiences.
Will be equipped to engage with professional Assyriological practice and academic research with intellectual rigour and ethical awareness.
Continuing
Students taking the MPhil in Assyriology who wish to continue to the PhD in Archaeology are required to achieve a mark of at least 68 overall and no less than 68 for their dissertation. They must obtain the support of an appropriate supervisor before making an application. In some circumstances, additional academic conditions may be set to ensure that appropriate skills are in place prior to admittance on the PhD programme.
Students wishing to continue with language-based PhD topics must have achieved a mark of at least 68 in Akkadian and/or Sumerian as appropriate.
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