The Catholic University of America’s Semitics Department offers intensive summer language courses through CUA Summer Sessions. Languages and literatures of the Christian Near East (Arabic, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopic, Georgian, Syriac) are a focus of the department's summer program.
The Summer 2023 Program includes introductory-level and readings-level courses in Classical Arabic, Coptic, Classical Armenian, Ethiopic, and Syriac. All Semitics department Summer 2023 Program classes will be offered through virtual learning environments.
Students enrolled in these courses enjoy access to the Institute of Christian Oriental Research (ICOR) collections in the University's Semitics/ICOR Library.
COURSES
Summer Session 15: May 15-June 17, 2023 (5 weeks)
Readings in Coptic
Reading of selected Coptic texts in various dialects and types of literature. Prerequisites: SEM 681, SEM 683, or equivalent. Instructor: Janet A. Timbie
Summer Session 16: May 15-June 24, 2023 (6 weeks)
Basic Syriac
The fundamentals of literary Syriac phonology, morphology, and syntax, offered in an intensive format in the summer session. Instructor: Monica J. Blanchard
Basic Classical Arabic
Elementary grammar and syntax of the classical Arabic of the Quran and of early Islamic literature. Emphasis on mastery of the verb forms and noun types. Instructor: Lev Weitz
Introduction to Classical Ethiopic
Fundamentals of phonology, morphology, syntax, and the writing system of Classical Ethiopic, followed by selected readings. Instructor: Michael Hensley
Basic Coptic
The fundamentals of Sahidic Coptic phonology, morphology, and syntax, offered in an intensive format during summer school. Prerequisite: Basic Greek. Instructor: Janet A. Timbie
Basic Classical Armenian
The fundamentals of Classical Armenian phonology, morphology, and syntax, offered in an intensive format in the summer session. Instructor: Monica J. Blanchard
Summer Session 26: June 26-August 5, 2023 (6 weeks)
Syriac Literature
Reading of selected Syriac texts in various types of literature. Prerequisite: SEM 533 or equivalent. Instructor: Monica J. Blanchard
Basic Classical Arabic II
Elementary grammar and syntax of the classical Arabic of the Quran and of early Islamic literature. Emphasis on mastery of the verb forms and noun types. Instructor: Lev Weitz
Introduction to Classical Ethiopic
Fundamentals of phonology, morphology, syntax, and the writing system of Classical Ethiopic, followed by selected readings. Instructor: Michael Hensley
Readings in Classical Armenian
Reading of selected Classical Armenian texts in various types of literature. Prerequisite: SEM 803 or equivalent. Instructor: Monica J. Blanchard