Academic year 2025/2026
Overview
This course will present a general introduction to the history of the Ge’ez language and its role in the Orthodox Tewahedo Church Tradition. It also discusses the ten basics of Ge’ez and their function to determine the forms of verbs as masculine or feminine, and singular or plural. In addition, the course addresses different parts of speech, such as nouns, prepositions, pronouns, verbs [types of verbs and their natures], conjunctions, and adverbs. Lastly, the course introduces clauses [dependent and independent] and various types of sentences based on their structural and functional classification.
Learning Approach
At Sankt Ignatios Folkhögskola, the overarching principle that guides learning is that all knowledge is intersubjective.
Knowledge is dialogue, which requires humility and empathy.
This course is built on collaborative and dialogical learning where participants actively shape not only their common learning journey but also the course itself. The content, materials, and methods will be adapted in real time based on participants’ needs, interests, and input. Beyond mastering subject matter, a central goal is for each participant to become aware of how shared learning experiences and dialogue transforms their thinking, practice and identity. Through dialogue, narrative, group discussions, shared reflection, creative expression, and collective exploration, participants develop awareness of their own growth while supporting others’ development. The learning community becomes a space where everyone’s experiences and questions not only enrich understanding but actively guide the direction of the course, helping each person to integrate learning into their own life context in meaningful, personally transformative ways.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the participants are (individually and collectively) expected to be able to:
- explain how Ge’ez language connects with Orthodox Tewahedo Tradition, sharing examples that show its importance in their own faith community;
- Use the Ten basics of Ge’ez in various situations, working with other participants to develop practical applications;
- analyze sentence structure by identifying dependent and independent clauses, using examples that connect with liturgical texts;
- break down Ge’ez sentences to show how they work, collaborating with others to understand challenging examples; and
- reflect on their relationship with the Ge’ez language, describing how group learning has transformed their understanding of both the language and its importance to their cultural and spiritual identity.
Other requirements
Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to participate in all course activities, both by being present and playing an active role in scheduled sessions and by completing assignments outside of scheduled lessons. If participants miss lessons, they may be required to complete extra assignments to fulfill the learning outcome requirements of the course. For the course to be considered complete, 80% attendance and participation are required.
The Deans Council revised the syllabus on February 26 and March 18 2025.
