BABYLON-BAGHDAD: AN URBAN HISTORY

This seminar investigates the metropolitan site of Babylon-Baghdad as the focal center and built
environment at the center of 4000 years of social history. Through a consideration of the historical and
archaeological sources available, the course proceeds chronologically and surveys the urban history of
the site from its ancient origins, c. 2000 BCE, all the way to the present day. The survey explores how
the communities residing in the city shaped, and were shaped by, the city.

Students in this course will gain a familiarity with the major periods of Middle Eastern History — Ancient, Islamic, and Modern — and a detailed awareness of the metropolitan region of Babylon-
Baghdad. In addition to the historical survey and engagement with primary sources and theoretical works, students will develop a research paper on a specialized topic of interest associated with the city.
This investigation requires a synthesis of the ideas discussed in class, and presents an opportunity to
investigate a specific feature or characteristic of the city in detail.

All assigned readings for the course will be in English. Primary sources will be provided in translation.
The course assumes that you have taken at least one introductory course on either the Ancient Near
East or the Islamic Middle East to use as a foundation for further development. Students without a
background in the Middle East may take the course if they are willing to do a little preparatory reading.
The course meets once a week and sessions are two hours long.