A conversation with Jana Matuszak, a Sumerologist, and Petra Goedegebuure, a Hittitologist, about the prospects for the survival of smaller academic disciplines that require specialized language skills. What critical mass of experts is needed? How can these fields be combined with others? Byzantine Studies is still larger than Sumerology and Hittitology, but the numbers of our full-time faculty is shrinking. How can our fields navigate an uncertain future?
Jana Matuszak is Assistant Professor of Sumerology at the University of Chicago. Petra Goedegebuure is Associate Professor of Hittitology, also at the University of Chicago.
Byzantium & Friends is hosted by Anthony Kaldellis, a Professor at the University of Chicago. You can follow him on his personal website. You can listen to more episodes of Byzantium & Friends through Podbean, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Top Image: Basalt slab with Hittite hieroglyphic inscriptions mentioning the activities of king Urhilina and his son. Late Hittite period, 9th century BC. From Hama, in modern-day Syria. Museum of the Ancient Orient, Istanbul. Photo by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) / Wikimedia Commons
A conversation with Jana Matuszak, a Sumerologist, and Petra Goedegebuure, a Hittitologist, about the prospects for the survival of smaller academic disciplines that require specialized language skills. What critical mass of experts is needed? How can these fields be combined with others? Byzantine Studies is still larger than Sumerology and Hittitology, but the numbers of our full-time faculty is shrinking. How can our fields navigate an uncertain future?
Jana Matuszak is Assistant Professor of Sumerology at the University of Chicago. Petra Goedegebuure is Associate Professor of Hittitology, also at the University of Chicago.
Byzantium & Friends is hosted by Anthony Kaldellis, a Professor at the University of Chicago. You can follow him on his personal website. You can listen to more episodes of Byzantium & Friends through Podbean, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Top Image: Basalt slab with Hittite hieroglyphic inscriptions mentioning the activities of king Urhilina and his son. Late Hittite period, 9th century BC. From Hama, in modern-day Syria. Museum of the Ancient Orient, Istanbul. Photo by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) / Wikimedia Commons
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