SEMITIC PHILOLOGY

The course in Semitic Philology is one of the key third year courses in the Near and Middle Eastern curriculum, of the degree in "Languages, Culture and Society of Asia and Mediterranean Africa".
The formative objectives fall within the area of language and cultural competences.
The main formative objectives of the course are: to provide students with some fundamental elements required for the study of the Semitic language they major in. The main objective is to offer an introduction to the different writing systems, to the phonology and morphology of the Semitic languages, in the framework of their cultural complexity, in ancient and modern times.

Knowledge and comprehension
- basic knowledge of issues connected to the study of Semitic languages
- knowledge and capability to identify general elements of the different writing systems
- knowledge of the different text types and of the main ancient archives
- knowledge of the main features of epigraphic Semitic languages and of modern Semitic languages

Ability to apply knowledge and comprehension
- being able to identify key elements of the Semitic languages
- being able to discuss attestations of documents and the main bodies of texts
- being able to identify the different scripts examined, from the cuneiform logo-sillabic writing system, to consonantaries and linear scripts

Judgement autonomy
- being able to elaborate key concepts relevant to phonological and morphological features of the Semitic languages

Communication abilities
- being able to elaborate and discuss the content of the program in a formal and efficient way

Learning capabilities
- taking notes efficiently
- being able to critically integrate the study of the different sources: course slides, academic papers, monographs
- being able to consult autonomously the different reference texts listed in the course bibliography
- being able to develop the acquired knowledge in the continuation of the study program

A basic knowledge of at least one Semitic language is recommended.

The course will offer a general introduction to the study of ancient and modern Semitic Languages
Lesson 1: General methodological issues. An introduction to ancient and modern Semitic Languages
Lesson 2-3: Ancient Semitic Languages: from acquisition of the first documents to the birth of the discipline. Modern Semitic languages and epigrafic languages; script directions; writing materials and documents. The origin of writing, from "counters" to pictographic script; the cuneiform writing system
Lesson 4-9: An introduction to the different Semitic languages, with an analysis of the epigraphic data and relevant documents
Lesson 10-11: General features of the Semitic languages: elements of phonology
Lesson 12: General features of the Semitic languages: elements of morphology
Lesson 13: Classificatory linguistic theories and the Semitic languages
Lesson 14-15: Jewish indentity and diaspora between Syria and Palestine, 1st-3rd century A.D.

G. Garbini- O. Durand, Introduzione alle lingue semitiche, Paideia Editrice, 1994

G. Garbini, Introduzione all'epigrafia semitica, Paideia Editrice, Brescia (selected pages indicated during classes)

P. T. Daniels, An Exploration of Writing, Equinox, Sheffield, Bristol, 2018 (selected pages indicated during classes)


Vocabulary and other reference texts:

J. Hoftijzer - K. Jongeling, Dictionary of the North-West Semitic Inscriptions, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1995

J. Naveh, The Development of the Aramaic Script. Proceedings of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, 5, Jerusalem, The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, 1970 (selected pages indicated during classes)

T. de Mauro, Linguistica elementare, Bari, Laterza, 1998.

The final exam will consist of a discussion of the issues discussed in class, with reference to the examined bibliography. Students are expected to know and be able to discuss the topics examined during the course.

oral

Lectures, Power Point presentations of documents and their archaeological context. Classes may be offered in English, upon request.

Italian

Attendance is recommended. Schedule: TBA, First semester, at Ca' Cappello, from September 19th. Non-attending students please contact me ASAP (cussini@unive.it) to obtain a non-attendig exam assignment.
All bibliographical references are available at Ca' Cappello (Library) and BAUM and on the instructor's personal Moodle platform.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development