General provisions

The course is given as a freestanding course.

Entry requirements

BA in Semitic languages, Theology or Humanities with at least 30 credits of Biblical Hebrew or equivalent.

Learning outcomes

A student who passes the course will:

• have knowledge of the Afro-asiatic context of Semitic languages;

• have knowledge of the problems involved in the classification of Semitic languages;

• be familiar with the distinctive characteristics of Semitic languages as a family and of each sub-family of Semitic languages;

• be familiar with current methodologies employed in the linguistic study of Semitic languages;

• be familiar with the core Semitic lexicon and lexemes typical for each family;

• be able to account for the historical development of Semitic languages;

• be able to interpret various features of Semitic languages as results of an organic development;

• be able to correctly assess the historical significance of individual Semitic languages;

• be able to identify the features typical of Semitic languages as well as these borrowed from languages in contact with them.

Content

The course introduces the student to the basic topics in Comparative Semitics and provides an overview of current research in Semitic lingusitics. It emphasises historical-comparative and sociolinguistic perspectives on Semitic languages.

Instruction

The course will be conducted as a discussion-based seminar and it will include presentations of specific topics by the instructor.

Assessment

1. Continuous assessment.

2. Research of a topic in Semitic linguistics followed by an oral presentation in class.

3. A written research paper.