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The Middle East is home to some of the earliest human civilizations, such as Sumer, Babylonia, and Assyria. The world’s first cities, the first writing, first irrigation systems: What can these and other “firsts” teach us about the human experience? Why might studying ancient Middle Eastern cultures be more relevant to our present moment than ever before? In this First-Year Seminar, we will try to answer these questions by combining a close reading of texts (e.g, the Epic of Gilgamesh) and material culture (e.g., city and house plans) with experiential learning.