The academic content and curriculum of the Syriac Language and Literature Undergraduate Program is designed to provide students with a detailed knowledge of the Syriac language, as well as the ability to understand and analyze literary and historical works written in this language. The program usually covers four years of undergraduate study and includes basic grammar courses, literature courses, historical textual studies and applied language skills courses.
Grammar and Structure The first years of the program focus on the Syriac alphabet, phonetic structures, morphological features and syntactic rules. These basic courses provide students with a solid grounding in the building blocks of the language. Topics such as the historical development of the language and dialectal differences are also covered.
Literature Courses Students are introduced to different genres of Syriac literature: religious texts, poetry, stories and philosophical works. Literature lessons include the literary merits of the texts as well as the historical and cultural context in which they were written. Literature courses also cover the themes of the works, biographies of the authors and literary movements.
Historical Text Studies Students will translate and interpret historical and religious texts written in Syriac and examine their impact on the language and their role in history. In these courses, textual analysis techniques and critical thinking skills are developed.
Applied Language Skills The program gives students the opportunity to practice writing and speaking fluently and accurately in Syriac. These lessons reinforce students' language skills by encouraging daily use of the language. There is also an emphasis on practical language skills such as translation and tolk knowledge.
Research and Project Studies The curriculum also encourages students to undertake independent research projects and to develop these projects with academic advisors. This gives students the capacity to further analyze Syriac language and literature and to generate new knowledge.
Cultural and Linguistic Courses The program also covers cultural, social and historical aspects of the regions where the Syriac language is spoken. These courses provide students with a better understanding of the geographical and historical context in which the language is used.
The curriculum builds a solid foundation in language and literature by constantly supplementing students' theoretical knowledge with practical and applied work. This approach is designed to enable graduates to be effective in both the academic and professional world.