The course will aim to cover the main issues presented by the Christian Sogdian documents. The most important factor in reading Christian Sogdian texts is the initial position of the verb in some canonical texts. We will discuss this feature with examples.

We will be reading a selection of Christian Sogdian texts. We will read parts of C 1 [E 23] “The Passion of St. George” (ed. Hansen) and C 2 [E27], 60 “From the Sayings of the Desert Fathers” (ed. Sims-Williams) but also C 2 [E 27], 68 “From the Persian martyrs under Šābuhr II” (ed. Sims-Williams). Then we will turn to selected pages from a Sogdian lectionary (ed. Barbati). If we have time, we will read [E26/] n145 “A Christian polemic against Manichaeism” (ed. Pirtea).

• Level: There are no formal requirements for participation in the course, though some previous knowledge of Sogdian or another Middle Iranian language and of Sogdian script would be an advantage.
• Materials: All the materials will be provided.

Coptic represents the final stage of the Egyptian language (Afro-Asiatic). It is written in the Greek alphabet with heavy borrowing of Greek vocabulary. As the most accessible form of Egyptian, it is essential for a better understanding of the earlier stages of the language. Knowledge of Coptic gives access to a wealth of late-ancient sources.

This course offers an intensive introduction to the grammar of Sahidic, the most important variety of Coptic, used in southern Egypt between the fourth and eleventh centuries. It is aimed at learning to read Coptic texts independently in a short period of time.

• Level: No previous knowledge is required.
• Requirements: Every chapter in the textbook is accompanied by useful exercises. Making the exercises (or a selection thereof) on a daily basis is strongly recommended, but not mandatory. A schedule and introductory material will be circulated two weeks before the start of the classes
• Materials: We will be following the textbook by C.H. Reintges, Coptic Egyptian (Sahidic Dialect): A Learner’s Grammar, Cologne 2004/2018. It is currently unavailable, but all essential material will be provided in class.

Syriac is an Aramaic language used by the Syrian Christians from the second century AD onwards in large parts of Syria and Mesopotamia. A vast and interesting literature has been written in it (Bible, theology, poetry, history, scholarship) and the language is closely connected with the history of Eastern Christianity. The language also played an important part in transmitting Greek literature to the Middle East.

• Level: Beginners; no previous knowledge is required.
• Requirements: Preparation for daily sessions; active knowledge of the material discussed earlier.
• Materials: Lucas Van Rompay, A Guide to the Syriac Language (Duke University, provisional version, Spring Semester 2015) will be made available digitally, as well as other course materials.

This course provides a general overview of Classical Ethiopic (Ge’ez) literature by reading passages in various genres (inscriptions, Bible and apocrypha, history, lives of saints, etc.) As we go along, various finer points of Ge’ez grammar will be discussed and explained.

• Level: A working knowledge of Ge’ez is required.
• Requirements: Preparation of passages to be read at daily sessions; active knowledge of the material discussed earlier.
• Materials: Passages to be read will be made available digitally, as well as other course materials.