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In the ancient Middle East, the term “scribe” refers to individuals skilled in writing cuneiform, the writing system developed in Mesopotamia. Their intellectual work, preserved primarily on clay tablets, is associated with various aspects of society, including politics, administration, trade, law, religion and culture. This course will introduce students to the core subjects that junior scribes learned to read and write in school. We will also explore scribes’ diverse roles within specific social and historical contexts and understand how these skilled writers engaged in social activities and preserved and shaped their past.