CAMS 420Aramaic

3 credits · Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies · Penn State

Fundamentals of Aramaic grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamentals of ancient Aramaic. This course focuses primarily on the morphology and syntax of Aramaic, a language used across the Near East from the Neo-Assyrian period onward. Drills on each point of grammar, as well as translation of sentences from Aramaic to English and English to Aramaic, and brief passages taken from the native texts are the basis of the student's homework throughout the semester. By the end of the semester, the students will be prepared to read short, unmodified passages of actual Aramaic. The course will focus primarily on reading and writing, though students will read aloud in class regularly in order to ensure correct pronunciation and understanding. This course will prepare students to work with Aramaic in relevant courses in CAMS, in particular those dealing with other Aramaic dialects, the Bible, and other related ancient languages. No previous knowledge of Aramaic or any other language is necessary for this course.