Entry requirements

Bachelor\x{2019}s degree with a Semitic language as main field of study.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, to earn the grade Pass the student should at least be able to:

discuss the linguistic and literary situation and development in the Land of Canaan country/Israel/Palestine from Old Testament time, the era of the early church, the Middle Ages, during the Ottoman Empire, until the time of the British mandate time in the early 20th century;

with relevant arguments discuss the texts dependence and relation to environment, topography and surrounding historical context based on a selected thematic example;

generally account for ways to handle (preserve, make accessible) early written sources;

account for discussions of the religio-historical context of the Dead Sea Scrolls;

account for and discuss different perspectives on interpretation of texts against a religious-historical background, based on a selection of texts from different periods and contexts from the region (the Dead Sea Scrolls, , early Christian texts and texts of Islamic origin until the 19th century);

discuss how the study of philology and archaeological remains is affected by religious and political dimensions based on the example Palestine;

account for Jerusalem's role in the Abrahamitic religions, and give examples of how this role has been reflected in texts and other cultural expressions in different periods.

Content

The course treat the linguistic and literary development of Palestine in interplay with history and landscapes, including city cultures, based on original texts and texts in translation from above all Semitic languages, but also Greek and Latin from different periods. Interpretative traditions from Jewish, Christian and Muslim perspective as well as modern research methods for philological treatment of texts are discussed. The course also treats some of the methods used within philological research in Semitic languages, and how the context may influence the development of language- and text in different periods. Examples covered include dealing with written manuscripts, and how different academic disciplines, as archaeology, can be used as support in philological work.

The course includes a one week field trip to Jerusalem with seminars with local researchers. The following thematic fields and periods are in particular focus: The Dead Sea Scrolls and the period these were in use; the early Rabbinic era, the era of early Christian Monasticism, the Islamic era; the pre-modern literature and the language development until the beginning of the 20th century.

Depending on the student\x{2019}s earlier studies, one or more texts are selected for specialisation.

Instruction

Teaching is given through seminars and includes a one week field trip to location in the region with seminars and field study and supervision.

Assessment

Examination takes place through an individual study project (minor essay, about 10-15 pages based on an optional text chosen in consultation with the examiner), and an oral presentation of a field study assignment during the excursion

Presentation of the minor essay takes place after returning to Sweden.

Active participation under field trip is a requirement for completion of the course.

Other regulations

Students are themselves responsible for obtaining the required travelling documents and having them in order for entry into the country for the field trip.