Syllabus for Specialisation in Semitic Texts

Fördjupning i semitiska texter

A revised version of the syllabus is available.

Syllabus

  • 7.5 credits
  • Course code: 5AA915
  • Education cycle: Second cycle
  • Main field(s) of study and in-depth level: Semitic Languages A1N

    Explanation of codes

    The code indicates the education cycle and in-depth level of the course in relation to other courses within the same main field of study according to the requirements for general degrees:

    First cycle

    • G1N: has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
    • G1F: has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G1E: contains specially designed degree project for Higher Education Diploma
    • G2F: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G2E: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements, contains degree project for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
    • GXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

    Second cycle

    • A1N: has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1F: has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
    • A2E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
    • AXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

  • Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG)
  • Established: 2015-11-06
  • Established by: The Department Board
  • Revised: 2017-08-16
  • Revised by: The Department Board
  • Applies from: Autumn 2017
  • Entry requirements:

    Fulfilment of the requirements for a Bachelor's degree with Semitic Languages or a specific Semitic language as the main field of study.

  • Responsible department: Department of Linguistics and Philology

Decisions and guidelines

The course is given as an independent course.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student who should to deserve the grade pass must be able at least to:

• account for the Phoenician/Paleo-Hebrew script;

• translate and philologically interpret the chosen inscriptions in Hebrew, Phoenician, and Old Aramaic;

• account for the Ugaritic script, phonology, morphology, and syntax on the basis of text samples;

• account for the classification of Ugaritic within Semitic languages;

• describe Ugaritic phonology, morphology and selected topics in syntax;

• read and transliterate the texts from photographs and hand copies;

• vocalize and parse the texts;

• interpret philologically texts in Ugaritic;

• correctly asses the relevance of Ugaritic texts for ancient Near Eastern studies, especially for the study of the Hebrew Bible.

Content

The course consists of an introduction to Ugaritic script and language, its morphology and syntax with comparative presentation of other Northwest Semitic epigraphic languages (in particular Phoenician, Ancient Hebrew and Old Aramaic). The course aims at preparing the students for the independent study of Ugaritic texts. In addition, the course offers a practical introduction to historical and comparative Semitics. The course will emphasise linguistic study of the texts and their philological, historical, cultural and religious significance. The students will acquire solid knowledge of the grammar and of basic vocabulary and will gain familiarity with various tools and resources for the study of Ugaritic texts.

Instruction

Teaching consists of seminars. Active participation is required from the students (discussion about the texts based on assigned readings, up to 40-50 pages for a meeting).

Assessment

Examination takes place through a combination of written examining activities. These will include four short tests during the class meetings, the writing a philological study of the assigned text, and the final test after the end of the course. Students can chose to substitute the philological study and the final exam with a research paper of ca. 5000 thousand words, excluding bibliography.

Other directives

The course may not be included in a degree if equivalent parts have been read within another course included in the degree.

Syllabus Revisions

Reading list

Reading list

Applies from: Autumn 2017

Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.

  • Bordreuil, Pierre.; Pardee, Dennis. A manual of Ugaritic

    [English ed.].: Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, 2009.

    Find in the library

  • Lete, Gregorio del Olmo A Dictionary of the Ugaritic Language in the Alphabetic Tradition

    Third Revised Edition: Brill,

    Find in the library

  • Gibson, John C. L. Textbook of Syrian Semitic inscriptions. : Vol. 2 Aramaic inscriptions including inscriptions in the dialect of Zenjirli

    Oxford: Clarendon, 1975

    Find in the library

  • Gibson, John C. L. Textbook of Syrian Semitic inscriptions. : Vol. 3 Phoenician inscriptions including inscriptions in the mixed dialect of Arslan Tash

    Oxford: Clarendon, 1982

    Find in the library

  • Gibson, John C. L. Textbook of Syrian Semitic inscriptions. : Vol. 1 Hebrew and Moabite inscriptions

    Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1971

    Find in the library

  • Huehnergard, John An introduction to Ugaritic

    Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, 2012.

    Find in the library

  • Naveh, Joseph Early history of the alphabet : an introduction to West Semitic epigraphy and palaeography

    2. rev. ed.: Jerusalem: Magnes P., The Hebrew Univ., 1987

    Find in the library

  • Pardee, Dennis The Ugaritic texts and the origins of West Semitic literary composition

    Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012

    Find in the library

  • Sivan, Daniel. A grammar of the Ugaritic language

    Leiden: Brill, 1997.

    Find in the library

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