Admission requirements
Good working knowledge of Biblical Hebrew
Description
In this intensive language course the students will be introduced to the Aramaic language through the reading of the Aramaic portions in the Old Testament (the book of Daniel and the book of Ezra). Part of these texts will be read in class, the other part will be studied by the students at home. This course will equip students with the grammatical tools required to proceed to more advanced Aramaic language modules.
Course objectives
Proficiency in the reading of the vocalized Biblical Aramaic text
Good knowledge of the morphology of Biblical Aramaic
Good knowledge of the essentials Biblical Aramaic syntax
Good knowledge of the vocabulary of Biblical Aramaic
Skills to translate and analyse the texts in Biblical Aramaic
Knowledge of the literary composition and the historical background of the books of Daniel and Ezra
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Students are expected to attend the weekly seminars of the Bachelor course ‘Bijbels Aramees’;
Students will be given a reading assignment for self-study; extra tutorials may be scheduled depending on students’ needs.
Assessment method
Assessment
Written examination Aramaic grammar: 20% (mid-term)
Written examination on Aramaic grammar, texts, and secondary literature: 50% (written examination at the end of the semester; both grammar / texts and secondary literature need to be sufficient)
Oral examination on the reading assignment (independent study of reading list; independent study of Aramaic source texts not read in class): 30% .
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. The grades for the written examination and the oral examination at the end of the semester need to be sufficient.
Resit
In case of an insufficient for the written and/or oral examination at the end of the semester it is necessary to take the resit. The resit will consist of a written exam covering all sections of the course. In case of a resit, the grade for the mid-term will be cancelled.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
E. Cook, Biblical Aramaic and Related Dialects: An Introduction (Cambridge 2021).
F. Rosenthal, A Grammar of Biblical Aramaic (Wiesbaden 2006).
Further information will be distributed in class / on Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Arsenaal
Remarks
If you want to take this course, you are urged to contact the instructor well before the beginning of the semester.