Semitic Studies

Course Overview

The consecutive master´s degree program conveys knowledge on the current state of research in Semitic Studies and deepens the knowledge of languages, cultures, and history of societies in the Middle East acquired in the bachelor’s program. The master program is characterized by a range of studies on modern Semitic languages (esp. Arabic dialects, Neo-Aramaic, and Hebrew) and their relation to religious minorities, in particular the Christians of the Middle East.Students will acquire comparative linguistic skills while working with different types of literary and oral samples of languages (including sacred texts, modern dialects, and inscriptions). In addition, students are offered the possibility to study further classical Semitic languages such as Syriac, Arabic, Geez, Amharic, Phoenician, and Mandaic.