Sprachen und Kulturen des Vorderen Orients mit Schwerpunkt Altorientalistik

From the evaluated documents we could not derive a semester plan that matches the programme’s duration and ECTS – so the modules are listed without semesters. The university’s study plan is authoritative.

• Required modules8 modules

  • Introduction to cuneiform studies (Akkadian)Summary by OWWZ: Introduces ancient Near Eastern philology through Akkadian, Old Babylonian grammar and cuneiform. Students decipher simple texts and explore language history and scholarly reference tools.Semesters 1–2Exam (in German): Abschlussklausur am Ende des zweiten Modulsemesters20 ECTS
  • Subject-related key skillsSummary by OWWZ: Four presentations within Ancient Near Eastern Studies modules develop research, writing and presentation skills. Students explain focused topics clearly and prepare a handout with a bibliography for each talk.Semesters 1–4Exam (in German): Vier Referate mit Handout und Literaturliste (unbenotet)10 ECTS
  • History and culture of the Ancient Near EastSummary by OWWZ: Sources introduce Mesopotamian history, religion and literature, covering states, society, economy, deities, cults, writing systems and textual genres.Semesters 1–2Exam (in German): Abschlussklausur10 ECTS
  • Reading Akkadian textsSummary by OWWZ: A continuous Akkadian work or group of texts is read, analysed philologically and interpreted historically.Exam (in German): Hausarbeit5 ECTS
  • Introduction to LinguisticsSummary by OWWZ: General and historical comparative linguistics introduce theoretical models, language comparison and reconstruction of Indo European sounds, morphology and syntax.winter semester only10 ECTS
  • Introduction to SumerianSummary by OWWZ: Sumerian grammar and writing are practised through simple original texts and related to linguistic research.Exam (in German): Klausur5 ECTS
  • InternshipSummary by OWWZ: An internship of at least six weeks in a research project, archaeological excavation, museum or academic collection provides professional experience. Students reflect on their activities and document them in a portfolio.Exam (in German): Praktikumsportfolio (unbenotet)10 ECTS
  • Bachelor thesisSummary by OWWZ: An independent thesis addresses a focused question in Ancient Near Eastern Studies. Acquired language skills and relevant scholarship support a structured investigation and academic presentation.ThesisExam (in German): Bachelorarbeit, etwa 40 Seiten10 ECTS
• Required elective from Vorderorientalische Sprachenchoose 20 ECTS · 8 modules

  • Supplementary Studies in Ancient Near Eastern Languages 1Summary by OWWZ: Orthography, grammar and vocabulary of another Ancient Near Eastern language provide access to original sources. Students practise philological analysis, use specialist reference tools and discuss research positions and their own findings.winter semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit oder Klausur5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Supplementary Studies in Ancient Near Eastern Languages 2Summary by OWWZ: Students explore another Ancient Near Eastern language through its script, grammar, vocabulary and original texts. Scholarship and reference tools support independent source analysis and critical discussion of research findings.summer semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit oder Klausur5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Arabic language ISummary by OWWZ: The course develops listening, reading, writing and speaking in Modern Standard Arabic to level A1.winter semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur und mündliche Prüfung, je 50 %10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Arabic language IISummary by OWWZ: The course develops listening, reading, writing and speaking in Modern Standard Arabic to level A2.summer semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur und mündliche Prüfung, je 50 %10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Arabic language IIISummary by OWWZ: The course develops listening, reading, writing and speaking in Modern Standard Arabic to level B1.1.winter semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur und mündliche Prüfung, je 50 %10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Classical Arabic ISummary by OWWZ: Original Classical Arabic texts introduce linguistic features and central questions of linguistic research.winter semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur oder Hausarbeit5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Classical Arabic IISummary by OWWZ: Different Classical Arabic genres are read and investigated using scholarly methods applied to selected topics.summer semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur oder Hausarbeit5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Language and LiteratureSummary by OWWZ: Biblical Hebrew is introduced through phonology, morphology and syntax. Analysis and translation of Old Testament prose develop independent reading of moderately difficult texts.10 ECTSRequired elective
• Required elective from Allgemeiner Wahlpflichtbereichchoose 10 ECTS · 15 modules

  • Introduction to Ancient Near Eastern ArchaeologySummary by OWWZ: The module surveys Near Eastern chronology, sites and monuments from the Neolithic to the Hellenistic period, examining architecture, seals, sculpture and relief as archaeological evidence.Exam (in German): Hausarbeit oder Klausur5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Introduction to EgyptologySummary by OWWZ: A survey introduces the geography, history and culture of ancient Egypt from predynastic to Hellenistic times, with knowledge applied in discussions and presentations.Exam (in German): Hausarbeit oder Klausur5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Theories and methods of Arabic and Islamic studiesSummary by OWWZ: Introduces the fields and methods of Arabic and Islamic studies. Students practise academic research techniques and the planning and writing of a term paper.summer semester onlyExam (in German): Hausarbeit5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Literature / Culture / Regional Studies of the Arab-Islamic societies ISummary by OWWZ: Introduces the study of literature, culture and regional contexts of the Arab world through methodological analysis of social relationships.winter semester only5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Religion / History / Politics of Arab-Islamic societies ISummary by OWWZ: Surveys religion, history and politics of the Islamic world since the seventh century, including religious and social developments and their relations with neighbouring societies.summer semester only5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Introduction to Classical ArchaeologySummary by OWWZ: Greek and Roman archaeology are introduced through material groups, chronology and cultural regions; exercises develop research and presentation skills.10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Introduction to ClassicsSummary by OWWZ: Methods across classical studies are combined with reading classical texts and practical research, study and presentation techniques.winter semester only10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Introduction to Ancient HistorySummary by OWWZ: A foundation course followed by a seminar introduces ancient history and its methods. Students practise literature searches, research tools and source-based argument.10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Methods and application areas of Philology and Ancient StudiesSummary by OWWZ: Philological analysis connects methods in classical studies with language change and comparisons of linguistic and cultural historical evidence.winter semester onlyExam (in German): Mündliche Prüfung 20 Min.10 ECTSRequired elective
  • Introduction to Caucasian LinguisticsSummary by OWWZ: Caucasian language families are compared typologically, focusing on sound systems and grammatical categories.summer semester only5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Introduction to the History of the CaucasusSummary by OWWZ: The history of the Caucasus from the Bronze Age to the present is connected with ethnogenesis and social, cultural and political structures.winter semester only5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Introduction to the Culltural Anthropology of the CaucasusSummary by OWWZ: Ways of life in the Caucasus are studied historically and comparatively, focusing on social, political and economic organisation, kinship, gender roles, customary law and religious institutions.summer semester only5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Georgian ISummary by OWWZ: Georgian script, basic grammar and vocabulary support initial communication in everyday situations.winter semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur 90 Min.5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Georgian IISummary by OWWZ: Georgian grammar and vocabulary are extended and practised through authentic everyday texts.summer semester onlyExam (in German): Klausur 90 Min.5 ECTSRequired elective
  • Introduction to the History and Literature of Ancient Israel in the Context of the Ancient Near EastSummary by OWWZ: The history of Israel and early Judaism is examined in its ancient Near Eastern context. Old Testament literary history is connected with source criticism and introductory exegetical methods.Exam (in German): Proseminararbeit oder mündliche Prüfung zur Vorlesung10 ECTSRequired elective

Topic profile

ECTS by topic from the curriculum’s modules; together at most the programme’s ECTS.RequiredElective

• Linguistics28 ECTS: 24 required, 4 elective28 ECTS
• Other languages and philologies25 ECTS: 7 required, 18 elective25 ECTS
• History12 ECTS: 10 required, 2 elective12 ECTS
• Literary studies6 ECTS: 6 required6 ECTS
• Religious studies4 ECTS: 3 required, 1 elective4 ECTS
• Archaeology2 ECTS: 0 required, 2 elective2 ECTS
• Classics, Latin and Ancient Greek2 ECTS: 0 required, 2 elective2 ECTS

Curriculum sources

• Modulkatalog zum Studiengang – Sprachen und Kulturen des Vorderen Orients mit Schwerpunkt AltorientalistikModule handbook · Version PO-Version 2007; Stand (Druck) 05.03.2026 · checked 15 October 2026
• Musterstudienplan – Sprachen und Kulturen des Vorderen Orients mit Schwerpunkt AltorientalistikStudy plan · checked 15 October 2026
• Lesefasung Studienordnung der Philosophischen Fakultät für das Fach Sprachen und Kulturen des Vorderen Orients mit Schwerpunkt Altorientalistik als Kernfach- und Ergänzungsfach in Studiengängen mit dem Abschluss Bachelor of ArtsStudy regulations · Version Lesefassung, Stand 16. April 2019; Dritte Änderung vom 22. Mai 2013 · checked 17 October 2026