Numbering Code	G-LET49 89620 LJ48	Year/Term	2022 ・ Year-round
Number of Credits	4	Course Type	lecture
Target Year		Target Student
Language	Japanese	Day/Period	Fri.1
Instructor name	MORI WAKAHA (Part-time Lecturer)
Outline and Purpose of the Course	The Sumerian language, spoken by the ancient Mesopotamian civilization, used cuneiform writing and left behind many materials dating back to the end of 4000 BCE, spanning around 3,000 years. This language is known for having a complex verb system and agglutinative language with unclear lineage relationships. In this class, we will aim to learn the grammar and cuneiform writing literature of the Sumerian language, as written in cuneiform. Along with grammar explanations, we will also touch on the formation and system of cuneiform writing as an ancient lettering system and decipher cuneiform writing in Sumerian and other ancient languages with ambiguous lineages. We will read relatively simple Sumerian texts and introduce content from other materials as appropriate. We will also discuss the problems with grammar in a language that continued to be written long after it had gone extinct as a spoken language. The Sumerian materials we will handle in this class will include royal inscriptions, government economic documents, court documents, literary works, and grammar texts, but these plans may change after discussion with students during the course.
Course Goals	Understand the cuneiform writing system of the world's oldest writing, which was used to record various languages in the ancient Mesopotamian world for 3,000 years, as well as the basic grammatical structure of Sumerian. Cultivate knowledge of Sumerian grammar and cuneiform writing by actually reading and understanding the content of various Sumerian texts written in cuneiform.
Schedule and Contents	[First Semester] 1. The Context of Sumerian: The World of the Mesopotamian Civilization (Week 1) 2. Sumerian and Cuneiform (Week 2) 3. Deciphering Cuneiform and the Various Languages Written in Cuneiform (Week 3) 4. The Formulation and Structure of Cuneiform (Weeks 4-5) 5. Explanation of Sumerian Grammar and Reading Simple Imperial Inscriptions and Government Records (7 sessions from Weeks 6-15) 6. Cuneiform Writing Practice (1 session held between Weeks 6-15) 7. Introduction of the Content of Sumerian Literary Works (2 sessions held between Weeks 6-15) [Second Semester] 　Along with grammar explanations, we will read the below works and continue to introduce materials. If museum permission can be obtained, we also plan to hold field trip trainings using clay tablets at museums. 1. Sumerian Grammar Explanations and Reading Works (6 sessions between Weeks 1-8) 2. Reading Works in Sumerian (4 sessions between Weeks 9-15) 　　・ Imperial inscriptions (early dynasty period, Akkad period, Ur third dynasty period, OB period) 　　・ Government records (early dynasty period, Ur third dynasty period) 　　・ Trial and contract records (early dynasty period, Akkad period, Ur third dynasty period) 3. Introduction of Sumerian Materials (3 sessions [2 between Weeks 2-8, 1 between Weeks 9-14]) 　　Literary works (epic poetry, hymns, proverbs), imperial inscriptions, grammar texts (Ancient Babylonian period, New Babylonian period) 4. Cuneiform Clay Tablet Field Trip (1 session between Weeks 9-14, at the Kyoto University Museum) The class plan and content are subject to change. The sequence of topics may also change depending on class progress.
Evaluation Methods and Policy	Planned for class participation (reading, statements in class) (20%) and year-end reports (transliteration and translation of Sumerian works) (80%).
Course Requirements	None
Study outside of Class (preparation and review)	We may ask students to read over materials handed out in class before the next session. Regarding reading literature, we may also have students look up characters and terms in Sumerian texts before class.
Textbooks	Textbooks/References	Other; materials and text copies will be distributed in class. 　For cuneiform writing practice, students will need to bring their own clay, box cutters, etc.
References, etc.	Will be presented in class