ANES 395
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Junior Seminar in Ancient Near Eastern Studies
International and Area Studies
Kennedy Center for International Studies
Course Description
This class is a junior seminar designed for ANES majors that will consider best practices in research and writing within the discipline, and that will result in a 12–15 page research paper reflecting those practices. It will also cover various aspects of professionalization within the discipline, including preparation for graduate work in ANES or related fields and maintaining mental, emotional, and spiritual health in the academy.
When Taught
Fall
Fixed/Max
3
Fixed
3
Fixed
0
Title
Research Design and Analysis
Learning Outcome
The primary focus of this course will be to provide students with an opportunity to conduct in-depth research in an area of their specialty within the ANES major. To accomplish this, students will plan, research, write, revise, and rewrite a paper of 12–15 pages on a topic of their choice that will demonstrate their familiarity with the discipline of Ancient Near Eastern Studies and their potential to produce original scholarly contributions within the field. This paper will also demonstrate their ability to interpret and analyze relevant primary sources, their proficiency in the relevant ancient languages, and their capacity for critical thinking. It is hoped that this process will help students refine their research and writing abilities, as well as prepare them for application to graduate school and a future career in the academy.
Title
Professional Development
Learning Outcome
A second emphasis of this course will be to prepare students to navigate the academic discipline through discussing the process of applying to graduate school, participating and presenting their research in professional associations, and looking forward to the job market. This emphasis will be supported by having students complete a modest series of exercises that will encourage them to identify potential graduate programs and professional associations, prepare an academic Curriculum Vita and a personal statement, and present their paper in a peer reviewed conference setting.
Title
Personal and Spiritual Resilience
Learning Outcome
A third objective of this course will be to help students maintain their mental, emotional, and spiritual health as they embark on an academic career. This will be encouraged through a series of readings and discussions relating to such issues as achieving work-life balance, dealing with “imposter syndrome,” and experiencing faith transitions in the process of pursuing higher education. The latter topic in particular will be considered by surveying the encounter of faith traditions and higher biblical criticism (including among Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant scholars), the history of Latter-day Saint engagement with biblical scholarship, and the journey of becoming a “disciple-scholar.” It is hoped that this aspect of the course will provide students with resources, tools, and perspectives that will help them navigate the rigors of academic life while maintaining a healthy framework for their personal and spiritual lives.
