General provisions

The course is given as a freestanding course.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Semitic languages, or in theology or the humanities with at least 30 credits in a Semitic language or the 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.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.