Students are responsible to do the weekly readings in a timely manner and participate in class discussions. Each student will be asked once during the semester to do a 8-10 minute presentation about an archaeological site and/or historical place (using visual media). These presentations will typically take place on Thursday meetings. There will be a take-home midterm exam that will involve writing two short essays on topics that were discussed in class. A closed book final exam will be held in class during the finals week and will involve answering two essay questions on covered topics and identifying and discussing a series of images from Ömür’s powerpoint presentations (to be posted on the wiki throughout the semester).

There will be three writing assignments in varying lengths. The first assignment involves finding a curious (historical or modern) map of the Middle East and writing 1-2 paragraphs (half page) on it, highlighting the ways in which the geography of Middle East is represented in it. Second assignment is a short paper (5-6 pages) on “the cultural life of an artifact” of your choice (possibly a museum piece, an old object you came across in a catalogue, or even a text- to pursue its changing meanings over time). In the second half of the semester, students will develop a research project in consultation with Ömür and produce a final paper (8-10 pages) at the end of the semester. All relevant deadlines are listed below.

Grading will be based on:

• 25 % General participation in class discussions and short presentations
• 10 % Assignment 1: Curious maps of the Middle East (1-2 paragraphs and a map: due September 22)
• 15 % Take-home midterm (2 short essays, open book and notes, October 16-19)
• 25% Assignment 2: Research paper on “cultural life of an artifact” (8-10 pages: due December 4). 1 paragraph proposals with preliminary bibliography due Nov 16 (by e-mail). Ömür is happy to read your draft and give feedback if you give it to him by Nov 30.
• 25 % Final exam (December 12, at 9 am. )