Overview
Syriac is the main language in which the Fathers of the Syrian Orthodox Church spoke and wrote. Many important theological and spiritual works have been composed in Syriac. The course contains four levels, depending on the student’s pre-knowledge of classical Syriac. Thus, you can take this course if you wish to learn the basics of Syriac alphabet and grammar, but also if you wish to read and analyse Syriac texts and commentaries on an advanced level. At the beginning of the course, the teacher(s) will assess your pre-knowledge and place you at the most suitable level for your learning progress.
West Syriac pronunciation is used throughout the course, but participants are allowed to use other pronunciations as well. From the outset, learners are encouraged to use their linguistic skills in the real-life social setting of their learning and liturgical community.
Within this course in classical Syriac, you will also have the opportunity to focus not only on linguistics but also on Biblical texts, patristic writings and/or the Syriac hymnodic tradition. See below for a detailed description of these three sub-tracks of the classical Syriac course. Since this course has four different levels, the learning outcomes for each level are described below.
Learning outcomes:
Level 1
Upon completion of the course, participants will demonstrate the ability to:
- write and pronounce the letters of the Syriac alphabet
- use simple phrases and greetings
- construct simple sentences
- understand basic grammar rules
- read and write simple texts
- locate textbooks and online sources suitable for learning more Syriac
Level 2
Level 2 builds on the skills and knowledge acquired at level 1. Upon completion of the course, participants will demonstrate the ability to:
- participate in simple conversations about everyday topics
- understand and be able to answer questions about common situations
- read and understand texts at a simple to intermediate level
- write short messages, simple stories, or emails in Syriac
- master an increasing number of words and phrases in Syriac
- discuss Syriac grammar, including verb conjugations and noun declension
- follow simple conversations and discussions in Syriac
- demonstrate a deeper insight into Syrian culture, including traditions, food, and social norms
- participate in simpler cultural activities in Syriac
Level 3
Level 3 builds on the skills and knowledge acquired at levels 1 and 2. Upon completion of the course, participants will demonstrate the ability to:
- participate in more complex conversations on various topics
- understand and express opinions and arguments in Syriac
- read and understand more advanced texts in Syriac
- write longer texts in Syriac
- learn more advanced words and phrases
- gain a deeper understanding of Syriac grammar, including complex grammatical structures
- follow and participate in complex conversations in Syriac
- analyse and critically review texts in Syriac
Level 4
Level 4 builds on the skills and knowledge acquired at levels 1, 2 and 3. Upon completion of the course, participants will demonstrate the ability to:
- participate in complex and abstract conversations
- express themselves clearly and in well-formulated sentences in different contexts
- read and understand complex texts and works of literature in Syriac
- write longer and more complex texts in Syriac
- acquire an extensive vocabulary and be able to use the Syriac language with precision
- have a deep understanding of complex grammar and syntax
- achieve a very high degree of pronunciation precision and ability to understand different dialects and variations of the language
- listen to advanced lectures, discussions, and presentations in Syriac
- have advanced writing skills and decipher Syriac manuscripts
- teach and communicate with non-native students in a professional manner
- critically examine and interpret texts and information in Syriac
- formulate and defend complex opinions and ideas in Syriac
Sub-tracks
1. Biblical studies
This sub-track offers you an opportunity to study and develop your language skills in classical Syriac, with a focus on Biblical texts and exegesis by the Syrian Orthodox fathers. Classical Syriac is the language of the early translation of the Syriac Bible, also called the simple or Peshitta. We will use the Biblical text in Syriac and compare it with translations and also view the characteristics of the Syriac language in comparison with Swedish or English. You can take this course independent of your Syriac skills, since the texts will depend on your level of knowledge. The course will also introduce you to the other Syriac translations of the Holy Scripture that were made during the 5th and 6th centuries, namely, the Philoxenian and Harkelean. The course will also include a short introduction to the Diatessaron, a Syriac attempt to harmonise the four Gospels into one coherent story. West Syriac pronunciation is used throughout the course, but participants are allowed to use other pronunciations as well. From the outset, learners are encouraged to use their linguistic skills in the real-life social setting of their learning and liturgical community.
Learning outcomes, in addition to the above:
By the end of the course, participants will have (depending on level):
- developed the ability, independently and together with other students, to analyse, understand and translate Biblical texts in Syriac of different levels depending on the level of the student
- demonstrate a basic understanding of the different Syriac versions of the Bible, namely, the Peshitta, Philoxenian, Harkelean and Diatessaron
- reflected on the functionality of the grammar in the Peshitta (depending on level)
- the capacity to read and analyse Biblical texts and commentaries in Syriac at different levels
2. Patristic texts
This sub-track offers you an opportunity to study classical Syriac, Kthobonoyo, through reading the texts of the Syriac fathers. Kthobonoyo is the main language of the Syrian Orthodox fathers and teachers, and in this course we will delve into the writings of the fathers in Syriac. Depending on your level of knowledge we will read the works of different fathers, who all wrote on different levels. Fathers such as Afrahat the Persian Sage wrote simple texts, whereas others such as Bar-Ebroyo or St Ephrem the Syrian, are known for a more advanced level of texts. The writings of the fathers will also be a springboard into the grammar and syntax of the Syriac language. We will also look into the lives and contexts of each writer to obtain a better understanding of their writings. West Syriac pronunciation is used throughout the course, but participants are allowed to use other pronunciations as well. From the outset, learners are encouraged to use their linguistic skills in the real-life social setting of their learning and liturgical community.
Learning outcomes, in addition to the above
By the end of the course, participants will have (depending on level):
- developed the ability, independently and together with other students, to analyse, understand and translate Patristic texts in Syriac
- reflected on the functionality of the grammar in Syriac patristic texts
- acquired the capacity to read and analyse Patristic texts in Syriac
- understood the co-relationship between the text and context of a specific father of the Church
3. Hymnody and liturgics
This course offers you an opportunity to study classical Syriac, Kthobonoyo, with a special focus on Syriac hymnody and liturgical recitation. Depending on your knowledge, you will learn to recite hymns and liturgical songs of the Syrian Orthodox tradition and use hymnody as a springboard into learning more Syriac. The Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch has a long history of hymnology and poems. Many great fathers of the Church wrote and instructed the faithful using music and poetry. St. Ephrem the Syrian and St. Jacob of Serugh are two of the most famous hymnological writers in the Syriac tradition. Learning language by the usage of singing usually offers a better way of memorizing texts, because in singing, different parts of the brain are engaged at the same time. This course aims to provide participants with a practical and theoretical introduction to the hymnological tradition of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and invites the participants to partake of this great tradition.
Learning outcomes, in addition to the above
By the end of the course, participants will have (depending on level):
- developed the ability, independently and together with other students, to analyse, understand and translate Syriac hymns and liturgical songs of different levels.
- acquired the capacity to relate the different liturgical books to each other in practice
- the competence to recite the Beth Gazo and other liturgical books with the basic tones and hymns on different levels
Requirements
Students are expected to participate in all course activities, both by being present and playing an active role in scheduled course sessions, and by completing assignments to be done outside of scheduled lessons. If participants miss lessons, they may be required to do extra assignments in order to fulfill the participation requirements of the course. 80% attendance and participation (including completion of assignments) are required for the course to be considered to have been completed.
Additional Information
Disposition of 50 % course on distance
Details of lessons, participation in discussions and contact with the teacher and other participants take place primarily through the teaching platform Canvas.
You will have two evening lessons each week.
The first evening will be related to the specific subject that you have chosen – you will participate in the class and participate in discussion with your teacher and other participants in the course.
On the second evening, you will participate in an open lecture where you and all the participants within the Syrian Orthodox seminary participate and discuss important subjects within the Syrian Orthodox Church and society today. In this lesson you will have a significant influence on which subjects and discussions will take place. You will also, together with your fellow participants, present and actively defend your perspectives and solutions to questions that are raised. Within folkbildning teaching takes place not only between teacher and student, but also between student and teacher and between student and student. We learn from each other and together as a group. You will be encouraged to do the various assignments that you will be given together with other participants in the course. You will also have access to material, your teacher and other participants through the Canvas platform outside of the scheduled lessons. Your active participation is vital for the course!
If a course has a low number of participants you will be offered a place in another course within the seminary.
