(same as 26120 GlblClt 103B, Lec A;   and 30276 Persian 150, Sem A)

This course surveys the history of the ancient Persian Empire from 550-330 BCE, from the empire’s founding by Cyrus II to the death of the last Achaemenid Persian king, Darius III. Much of what we know about the Persian Empire comes from what ancient Greek authors, such as the historians Herodotus andXenophon, the tragedian Aeschylus, and the biographer Plutarch, had to say about it; when relying on the work of these authors, we are forced to some extent to view the Persians and their empire through a Greek lens. And yet, whenever possible in this course, we will also consider what the ancient Persians themselves thought about their empire. Thus, the readings for the course will not only be Greek literary sources, but also Persian written and visual sources, including inscriptions, seals, coins, and archaeological sites and monuments.
Days: MO WE  05:00-05:50 PM

Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest religions and has been the religion of the Persian Empire throughout antiquity. It has influenced immensely the development of other religions attested in Asia and the Mediterranean in the pre-modern period. Unlike other faiths professed in the ancient world, Zoroastrianism has survived to this day, and Zoroastrian communities exist in India and Iran, as well as in Europe and North-America. In fact, many believers in the Best Religion now live in Southern California. Zoroastrian religious tenets developed in constant dialogue with other traditions, during our classes we will see how this happened in the various historical periods.

The aim of the course is to introduce the history of the Zoroastrian community from beginnings to the present day while discussing its religious beliefs seen from an historical point of view. The main text that will be used is Mary Boyce’s Zoroastrians. Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Other points of view will be introduced in class.
Days: TU TH  02:00-03:20 PM

Emphasis/Category: Inter-Area Studies, Global Middle East
The Jewish people have often understood themselves as the “people of the book,” because of the Jewish tradition’s reliance on texts and textual study as a central component of religious culture and practice. This course will take the idea of the book as a starting point for a survey of Jewish history, literature, and culture. Spanning the biblical period to the present, we will read primary texts important to Jewish life and culture as well as scholarship from various disciplines. In doing so, we will learn about the varied communities that produced these texts; the languages they spoke and read; their particular religious and cultural practices; and how they have understood themselves in the context of other social and political communities and movements.

(same as 26710 History 130C, Lec A;   and 31225 Rel Std 130, Lec A)
Days: TU TH  12:30-01:50 PM

Emphasis/Category: Inter-Area Studies, Global Middle East

This course surveys the history of the ancient Persian Empire from 550-330 BCE, from the empire’s founding by Cyrus II to the death of the last Achaemenid Persian king, Darius III. Much of what we know about the Persian Empire comes from what ancient Greek authors, such as the historians Herodotus andXenophon, the tragedian Aeschylus, and the biographer Plutarch, had to say about it; when relying on the work of these authors, we are forced to some extent to view the Persians and their empire through a Greek lens. And yet, whenever possible in this course, we will also consider what the ancient Persians themselves thought about their empire. Thus, the readings for the course will not only be Greek literary sources, but also Persian written and visual sources, including inscriptions, seals, coins, and archaeological sites and monuments.

(same as 22440 Classic 170, Lec A;   and 30276 Persian 150, Sem A)
Days: MO WE  05:00-05:50 PM

Emphasis/Category: Global Middle East
POLITICAL ISLAM
Days: T TH  12:30-01:50 PM

Emphasis/Category: Global Middle East
ISRAELI PALEST CONF
Days: T TH  11:00-12:20 PM

Emphasis/Category: Global Middle East
SOC MOBILZTN ISRAEL
Days: T TH  11:00-12:20 PM