Description: An in-depth examination of the art and archaeology of ancient Mesopotamia, Syria, Anatolia and Persia. Beginning in The Neolithic period, we will examine the development of Near Eastern art and architecture through the study of ancient sites and their associated material culture. For each lecture, Graduate Students will be assigned additional readings. They will write an annotated bibliography of all these readings to be turned in at the end of the semester. We will meet for an additional every two or three weeks to discuss interpretive and methodological problems and ideas associated with the readings. Graduate Students will be expected to complete all the requirements of the class in addition to writing a substantial research paper due at the end of the semester. Mutually Exclusive: Cannot register for HART 511 if student has credit for HART 311.