Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. The main field of study must be within the humanities.

Learning outcomes

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

• demonstrate basic knowledge of the Coptic writing system and grammar, particularly of the Sahidic dialect
• read and translate simple and more demanding texts in Sahidic Coptic
• account for Coptic Christian culture and its place in the larger cultural context
• evaluate and discuss current issues and trends in Coptological research

Content

The course provides an introduction to the grammar and the writing system of the Coptic language, with a focus on the Sahidic dialect, and an overview of Coptic-Christian culture. Sahidic texts are read and analysed. The prescribed texts are selected e.g. from translations of the Bible as well as from martyrological texts and stories about saints.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures and mandatory text-reading seminars. For the seminars, students are expected to prepare texts in advance of class utilising standard reference resources. Text-reading seminars involve individual presentation of work on the original text (translation and commentary) and class discussion. Teaching is given in English.

Assessment

Assessment during the course takes the form of mandatory seminars, written assignments, and a final home assignment. In special cases an examiner may make and exception from the standard method of assessment and allow a student to be assessed in some alternative way. An example of a special case might be if a student produces a certificate for special pedagogic support from the University's disability coordinator.