Themes and Topics 2: State development, Empires and social life in the Near East: 6000 BCE to 300 BCE

This course will outline some of the key themes and debates from the Chalcolithic to later historical periods of the Middle East, covering the Near East and northeast Africa from the 5^th to the 1^st mill BCE. Proceeding chronologically, the course will cover a wide array of themes ranging from the importance of feasting in chiefdoms, state development and the origins of hierarchy to the larger empires of the later periods. The course will be taught by means of lectures, seminars and practical exercises.

The students will gain in-depth knowledge of chosen periods from proto-historic and historic archaeology and history of Southwest Asia (and to a lesser degree North Africa), and will critically examine the use of archaeological and historical data to interpret this record. Students will be able to engage with some relevant material culture in the practical exercises and use it to develop their own research questions. Completion of three short practical projects and their presentation is a mandatory course requirement. The course is taught in English.