Information Package / Course Catalogue
Ancient Belief Systems
Course Code: ARK244
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 4
Objectives of the Course

To learn the belief system of human beings from Prehistoric ages to Ancient Aegean societies.

Course Content

Religions, gods, beliefs, rituals and practices that take place in the belief system of human beings from prehistoric ages to the Ancient Aegean societies and their reflections on the social structure will be explained through archaeological findings and ancient texts.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. Emre ERDAN
Learning Outcomes
1.Learning the Birth of Belief Systems in Prehistoric Ages
2.Learning the Development of Belief Systems in Prehistoric Ages
3.Learning the Birth of Belief Systems in Protohistoric Ages
4.Learning the Development of Belief Systems in Protohistoric Ages
5.To have knowledge about the place and importance of belief systems in the social organization of human beings in the Prehistoric and Protohistoric Ages.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.The Dawn of Belief: Religion in the Upper Paleolithic of Southwestern Europe: D. B. Dickson
2.Hitit Mitolojisi: Güngör Karauğuz
3.Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt: G. Pinch
4.Sumerian Mythology: S. N. Kramer
5.Ana Tanrıça’nın İzinde: L. Roller
6.Ancient Egyptian Religion: An Interpretation: H. Frankfort
7.Zeus: a study in ancient religion: A. B. Cook
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
The Birth of Faith: The First Archaeological Findings
Week 2 - Theoretical
Beliefs in Paleolithic Ages
Week 3 - Theoretical
Beliefs in Paleolithic Ages
Week 4 - Theoretical
Neolithic Belief Systems - Mesopotamia and Southeastern Anatolia
Week 5 - Theoretical
Neolithic Belief Systems - Central Anatolia, Western Anatolia, and Aegean
Week 6 - Theoretical
Chalcolithic Age Belief Systems - Mesopotamia
Week 7 - Theoretical
Chalcolithic Age Belief Systems - Anatolia and Aegean
Week 8 - Theoretical
Belief Systems in the Early Bronze Age - Mesopotamia
Week 9 - Theoretical
Belief Systems in the Early Bronze Age - Anatolia and the Aegean
Week 10 - Theoretical
Belief Systems in the Middle and Late Bronze Ages
Week 11 - Theoretical
Belief Systems in the Middle and Late Bronze Ages
Week 12 - Theoretical
Beliefs in the Iron Age (Urartu, Late Hittite, Phrygian, Lydia, Pers)
Week 13 - Theoretical
Beliefs in the Iron Age (Western Anatolia and Aegean)
Week 14 - Theoretical
Belief Systems in Roman Empire
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory141242
Reading141242
Midterm Examination1516
Final Examination19110
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)100
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
OÇ-1
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
4
4
4
OÇ-2
5
5
5
5
4
4
3
4
3
4
OÇ-3
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
5
4
OÇ-4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
OÇ-5
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
5
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026