AWST-240 Original Gods: Ethics and Religion in the Ancient Near East (3)

Modern ethics and religious studies often claim a lineage from Greek and Roman thought that intertwines with Christianity and, sometimes, Judaism. This heritage has also been used to advocate for a distinct notion of “Western” culture. However, a broader study of the classical world reveals a diverse and complicated history that includes foundational contributions from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Persia. This class examines that history through the development of ethical frameworks in the ancient Near East. Building on this foundation, the class studies the formulations of ethical and religious thought that discounted or denied the contributions of African, Middle Eastern, and Asian societies. The course concludes by using these tools to consider an example of contemporary ethical argument. AU Core Habits of Mind: Ethical Reasoning.