The graduate program in Assyriology provides students with the training to read cuneiform tablets written in the Akkadian and Sumerian languages that were written over a period of 3,000 years in ancient Mesopotamia and elsewhere in the Near East.

Students will develop essential philological skills; a deep familiarity with the ancient textual record; and a knowledge of historical, literary, and linguistic theory.

Akkadian

Assyriology students take at least one course in Akkadian each semester. Through these courses and independent study, students cover a wide variety of dialects and genres, such as Old Akkadian; Old Babylonian letters, documents, and inscriptions; Standard Babylonian literary and religious texts; Assyrian dialects; and peripheral dialects.

Sumerian

Assyriology students take at least one course in Sumerian each semester. Through these courses and independent study, students cover a wide variety of dialects and genres, such as Old Sumerian, Gudea, Ur III texts, Old Babylonian literary texts and royal inscriptions, and later bilinguals.

Ancient Near Eastern History

Assyriology students take the three-year cycle of seminars in Ancient Near Eastern History, which brings together students and faculty from the different sub-disciplines.

Art and Archaeology

Assyriology students take at least one course in ancient Near Eastern art or archaeology each semester.

Other Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations

Assyriology students take at least one course in a minor language corresponding to their particular interests each semester.

Courses in Other Departments

Assyriology students can take (or audit) at least one course per year in another department, depending on their research interests.