Module THEO53430: Advanced Aramaic and Syriac

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO53430: Advanced Aramaic and Syriac

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• Aramaic is primarily a Jewish tongue, Syriac a Christian. This module allows candidates to develop their knowledge of either Judaism, or Christianity, or both religious systems, through detailed study of primary texts selected from the lists below. Thus a candidate may choose to study Aramaic texts only, or Syriac texts only, or some texts in Aramaic and some in Syriac. The Aramaic texts offered for study will be found to dovetail with and complement the MATR modules Advanced Hebrew Texts and The Septuagint. Syriac texts will provide an interesting and not commonly available 'oriental' dimension for those engaged in early Christian historical and patristic studies.

Content

• Texts to be studied will be chosen from the following exemplary lists:
• Aramaic: The Qumran Genesis Apocryphon columns XX-XXII; The Targums of Genesis 22; The Targums of Exodus 15; The Targums of Numbers 22-24.
• Syriac: Peshitta of Genesis 22; Peshitta of Exodus 15; Liturgy of S Addai and Mari; St Ephrem, Commentary on Genesis II.1-7; Hymns on Paradise 3.

Learning Outcomes

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Exercises in translation and exegesis

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University