Hebrew and Aramaic Studies (MA)

About the programme

Classics and Ancient Civilizations covers one year and can be studied in four programmes, one of them is the Hebrew and Aramaic Studies specialisation. When you choose to study this programme you will both be guided through the broadness relevant sub-disciplines, as well as gradually led to develop your own specific research skills. Your primary focus will be on either Aramaic or Hebrew.

Programme structure

Program
Course	EC
Ancient World seminar	10
Architecture as a Source for Historical Reconstruction in the ancient Near East	10
Epigraphy: Phoenician	10
Epigraphy: Phoenician	5
History of the Exploration of the Levant	10
History of the Exploration of the Levant	5
Reading Hebrew Literature: The Song of Songs and Lamentations	10
Reading Hebrew Literature: The Song of Songs and Lamentations	5
Seminar Introduction to Aramaic: Biblical Aramaic	10
Seminar Introduction to Aramaic: Biblical Aramaic	5
MA Thesis Classics and Ancient Civilisations	15
Diaspora Communities in the Persian Period	10
Diaspora Communities in the Persian Period	5
Seminar Advanced Aramaic: Jewish Palestinian Aramaic	10
Seminar Advanced Aramaic: Jewish Palestinian Aramaic	5
Shem in the tents of Japhet: Exploring cultural negotiation in Greco-Roman Jewish-Greek literature	10

For a more detailed programme, please see the Prospectus. Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum for next year may slightly differ.

If you choose Aramaic, you will explore different Aramaic languages and literatures, including Syriac, Targumic Aramaic and Imperial Aramaic. You will have the option of studying these languages, both individually and against the background of their 3000-year history. Subjects regularly offered include:

The historical grammar of Aramaic
The Dead Sea Scrolls
Semitic epigraphy

If you are interested in Hebrew languages and cultures, you will study Hebrew in its broadest sense, including other closely related languages, such as Ugaritic or Phoenician.

You will study the linguistics of Hebrew both in its present-day environment and against the background of its 3000-year history. Subjects regularly offered include:

Biblical Hebrew texts
The historical grammar of Hebrew and the development of the Tiberian tradition, which also lies at the heart of Modern Hebrew
The Dead Sea Scrolls
Semitic epigraphy