The Semitics department offers intensive summer language courses through 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.

Summer 2023 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.

For questions about the department and its programs contact Dr. Andrew Gross, Department Chair.

  • Summer Session 15: May 15-June 17, 2023 (5 weeks)

     

    SEM 684 Readings in Coptic (2 credits) MoWe 10:00am-12:30pm

    Janet A. Timbie

    Reading of selected Coptic texts in various dialects and types of literature. Prerequisites: SEM 681, SEM 683, or equivalent.

  • Summer Session 16: May 15-June 24, 2022 (6 weeks)

    SEM 533 Basic Syriac (3 credits) MoWeFr 5:10-7:10pm

    Monica J. Blanchard

    The fundamentals of literary Syriac phonology, morphology, and syntax, offered in an intensive format in the summer session.

    Lev Weitz

    SEM 543 Basic Classical Arabic (3 credits) MoTuWeTh 10:45am-12:20pm

    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.

    SEM 551 Introduction to Classical Ethiopic (3 credits) MoTuThFr 12:00pm-1:30pm

    Michael Hensley

    Fundamentals of phonology, morphology, syntax, and the writing system of Classical Ethiopic, followed by selected readings.

    SEM 683 Basic Coptic (3 credits) TuTh 10:00am-1:20pm

    Janet A. Timbie

    The fundamentals of Sahidic Coptic phonology, morphology, and syntax, offered in an intensive format during summer school. Prerequisite: Basic Greek.

     SEM 803 Basic Classical Armenian (3 credits) TuTh 4:30pm-7:30pm

    Monica J. Blanchard

    The fundamentals of Classical Armenian phonology, morphology, and syntax, offered in an intensive format in the summer session.

  • Summer Session 26: June 26-August 5, 2023 (6 weeks)

    SEM 631 Syriac Literature (3 credits) MoWeFr 5:10pm-7:10pm

    Monica J. Blanchard

    Reading of selected Syriac texts in various types of literature. Prerequisite: SEM 533 or equivalent.

    SEM 544 Basic Classic Arabic II (3 credits) MoTuWeTh 10:45am-12:20pm

    Lev Weitz

    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.

    SEM 552 Introduction to Classical Ethiopic (3 credits) MoTuThFr 12:00pm-1:30pm

    Michael Hensley

    Fundamentals of phonology, morphology, syntax, and the writing system of Classical Ethiopic, followed by selected readings.

    SEM 804 Readings in Classical Armenian (3 credits) TuTh 4:30pm-7:30pm

    Monica J. Blanchard

    Reading of selected Classical Armenian texts in various types of literature. Prerequisite: SEM 803 or equivalent.