Module THEO53430: Advanced Aramaic and Syriac

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO53430: Advanced Aramaic and Syriac

Prerequisites

• Aramaic and/or Syriac at elementary undergraduate level

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, examples of which are set out in 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 Taught MA 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, should they wish to avail themselves of this option.

Content

• The kind of texts which might be studied are illustrated by 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

• to translate accurately and independently Aramaic/Syriac texts whose language, grammar, and syntax involves a high degree of complexity and difficulty
• to give an accurate, scientific account of the Aramaic/Syriac language in the texts studied

• to offer solutions to linguistic and exegetical problems encountered in the texts studied, and the basis of independent research
• to engage critically with modern scholarly treatments of the texts studied

• students will acquire the ability to offer independent assessments of the texts studied, and the scholarly treatments of them
• they will be able to demonstrate familarity with other writings which may assist in the explication of the texts they have studied.

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

• Texts offered for study in this module are chosen with an eye to encouraging the student to work independently, and to bring to the regular seminars such insights as he or she may have gathered in the course of private study. The seminars also give opportunities for full discussion of problems in the text, whether literary, textual, or exegetical. Where the student feels that help is required with the translation of particularly difficult passages, such help is available either in seminars or in one-to-one tutorials specially arranged for the purpose. The teaching of this module is therefore flexible, and can often be tailored to suit the needs of individual students and their interests. For example, those with an interest in archaeology might elect to study in detail a Aramaic/Syriac texts offering scope for exegesis in the light of archaeological research

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