Course Description
Introduction to a northwest Semitic language, such as Aramaic, Syriac, Ugaritic, Amorite, or "Canaanite" as reflected in the Amarna letters and inscriptions.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Exams for graduate students will be more intense. Students will be
required to submit a paper in addition to the exam format
discussing some aspect of comparative grammar within the language
family.
Athena Title
Studies Semitic Linguistics II
Prerequisite
HEBR 2003 or HEBR 4000 or SEMI 4001/6001 or permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The Course Objective will be to introduce students to a wide range of subjects within Semitic Linguistics through the study of an example language (Akkadian, Ugaritic, Cuneiform, Aramaic). Each semester the sample language will be selected based on the research needs and desires of the students who register for the course. Learning outcomes: Students will learn the grammar of the selected language, its vocabulary and writing system, so that they can, by the end of the term (if time allows), begin to read a sample of representative texts in that language. Students will also learn the relationship between the sample language and other languages in the Semitic language family. Exercises done each week in class will teach the writing system and vocabulary. The midterm of the course will cover basic grammar. The final exam, which is cumulative, will cover all the course content plus a passage for translation.
Topical Outline
Outline will change depending on language studied. Sample outline for Aramaic: I. The Dialects of Aramaic (Old Aramaic, Official Aramaic, Palestinian, Nabataean, Palmyrene, Late Aramaic) II. Orthography III. Phonology IV. Morphology V. Syntax VI. Readings in Selected Texts (e.g., the Aramaic of Targum Onqelos)
Syllabus