History of Mesopotamia - Part 1 (2900-2000 BC)
What you'll learn
- The history and culture of third millennium Mesopotamia
- Socio-political developments in third millennium Mesopotamia
- Early Imperialism
Requirements
- A Passion for History
- An Interest in the Ancient Near East
Description
In this course, you will learn about the history of the Sumerians and Akkadians. The invention of writing, government propaganda, imperialism, letters - all of these were invented in Mesopotamia during the third millennium. This is an introductory course, but I plan on expanding and editing it over time to include more topics on literature, culture, and primary sources. This course will be helpful for college students who are taking an introductory course on Mesopotamian history and need to supplement their knowledge, or just for ancient history enthusiasts. There is information here for pure beginners, as well as for those with some knowledge of the field already. I will also be actively expanding the course - I look forward to your feedback!
In the first section of a course, you will gain the necessary background knowledge needed to follow along.
In the second section, you will learn about the Early Dynastic period and the various Sumerian kings that vied for power.
In the third section, you will learn about Sargon of Akkad and his dynasty.
In the fourth section, you will learn about the Third Dynasty of Ur - the "Neo-Sumerian Empire."
Who this course is for:
- Students of history
- College students seeking to learn more about Mesopotamia
- Those interested in ancient civilizations
Instructor
Nshan Kesecker, a native of San Francisco, is a lecturer in the Department of Middle Eastern Studies at Yerevan State University. He has taught courses on Achaemenid Persian history and culture, and delivered public lectures on Mesopotamian, Iranian, and Armenian history. His publications include articles on Mesopotamian, Iranian, and Armenian history. He has edited several journal volumes, monographs, and articles. He has translated several academic works from Eastern and Western Armenian to English.
Associate Editor of the Armenian Journal of Near Eastern Studies
BA in History from the University of San Francisco
MA in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Chicago