Introduction to Sahidic Coptic

About

The Coptic Language Summer School aims to provide students, scholars, and enthusiasts of ancient religious history with a comprehensive and well-founded understanding of the Coptic language, with a focus on the Sahidic variety. The course is designed to introduce students to the basic elements of Coptic grammar and morphology, enabling them to read and translate simple texts in the main classical variety of the language. The primary emphasis of the course will be on the Coptic verbal system, with some attention given to syntax.

This course is suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of Coptic, but a basic understanding of ancient Greek may be helpful. The course is taught in English, and no previous knowledge of Coptic or other languages is required.

Throughout the course, students are offered opportunities to practice reading and translating Coptic texts, while engaging in discussions of the cultural and historical contexts in which Coptic texts were produced.

By the end of the course, students are expected to have acquired a solid foundation in Coptic grammar and morphology, as well as a basic proficiency in reading and translating simple Coptic texts. The course is designed to provide an essential foundation for further study of Coptic language and literature, as well as for research in the field of ancient religious history.
 
The Coptic Summer School program offers three types of learning experiences:

Classes (9-11 AM CET from Monday to Saturday): these lectures are conducted in English every morning for two hours, during which the instructor provides necessary grammatical knowledge using a shared virtual screen and digital handouts. There are ample opportunities for discussion and further exploration with participants. The instructor assigns exercises to be completed independently by participants throughout the day.

Tutoring Sessions (6-7:30 PM CET every day except Tuesday and Thursday): these sessions take place in the late afternoon and involve group correction of exercises assigned during class. The tutoring sessions also offer an opportunity to ask the instructor for additional clarification and for the instructor to assess the progress of learning and make appropriate adjustments as necessary.

Conferences (6-7:30 CET Tuesday and Thursday): they are specialist conferences held twice a week in the late afternoon by a guest professor. The conferences focus on historical and cultural content with a practical approach. Typically, the conferences begin with an analysis of selected passages in the Coptic language, followed by cultural and religious exploration of the late antique Egyptian world.

Online Attendance
The course is fully online and will be conducted through the Zoom platform for all classes, Conferences, and tutoring sessions. Additionally, students will have access to a web platform until August 31, 2022, which contains a range of learning materials and recordings of all lectures. This online access provides students with a convenient way to review course content and catch up on any missed classes.

Course leader

Andrea Annese, Daniele Tripaldi (Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna); Sebastian Richter (Freie Universität Berlin); Jens Schröter (Humboldt Universität zu Berlin); Anna van den Kerchove (Institut Protestant de Théologie de Paris); Marta Addessi, F

Target group

Qualified students, scholars and people passionate about ancient religious history. The course is suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of Coptic.

Course aim

The course Introduction to Sahidic Coptic ensures a solid foundation in Coptic grammar and morphology, fostering proficiency in reading and translating simple Coptic texts.

Fee info