Oriental Studies

Curriculum for the Licentiate in Ancient Near Eastern Studies

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Curriculum for the Licentiate in Ancient Near Eastern Studies is a three-year program (180 ECTS). This Licentiate offers three main tracks:

Licentiate in Semitic Studies (Hebrew/Aramaic and Northwest Semitic Philology)

Students on this track can choose to specialize in Hebrew or Aramaic. The first year includes the intensive study of Hebrew and Greek. After this year, students proceed to the advanced levels of Hebrew and the study of other Semitic languages. This program includes 30 ECTS of elective courses, of which at least two are in Old Testament exegesis. Other elective courses in history, religion and archeology of the Ancient Near East are intended to enrich the student’s knowledge of the context before and during which the biblical text emerged. In the licentiate thesis the student will investigate a particular aspect of the Hebrew and/or Aramaic language in order to demonstrate their competence in research and their scholarly ability to present their results.

• 30 ECTS Hebrew I, II, III, IV
• 30 ECTS Greek I, II, III, IV
• 15 ECTS Hebrew A-B-C
• 10 ECTS Northwest Semitics A-B (Ugaritic, Phoenician, Old Aramaic)
• 15 ECTS Aramaic A-B-C or Akkadian A-B-C or Arabic A-B-C
• 5 ECTS Biblical Aramaic
• 10 ECTS Old Testament Exegesis (course or seminar)
• 20 ECTS Electives (history, archaeology, religion)
• 5 ECTS Syntax and Semantics in Hebrew/Aramaic
• 10 ECTS Seminar in Hebrew/Aramaic studies
• 30 ECTS Licentiate thesis

Ancient Near Eastern Studies and Biblical Studies

Students on this track will pursue a comprehensive education in the history, languages, cultures and religions of the Ancient Near East. An interdisciplinary research approach will be encouraged within a specific area and language of their main interest, which will culminate with the drafting of a thesis that connects the world of the Hebrew Bible with its neighbouring cultures. The program is designed to offer students different perspectives (linguistic, historical, sociocultural, religious) and different methodologies. In the licentiate thesis the student will investigate a particular aspect of the Akkadian or Sumerian language or culture in order to demonstrate their competence in research and their scholarly ability to present their results.

• 30 ECTS Introductory courses in major language: Akkadian or Sumerian
• 30 ECTS Hebrew I, II, III, IV
• 20 ECTS Advanced courses in major language and introductory courses in minor languages (4 courses)
• 10 ECTS History (2 courses in 2 semesters)
• 5 ECTS Archaeology (1 course)
• 20 ECTS Elective courses in history, literature, religion, geography
• 20 ECTS Electives in languages and linguistics (Semitic Philology, Hebrew A-B, Greek, Egyptian)
• 5+10 ECTS Seminar with written paper
• 30 ECTS Licentiate thesis

Egyptology and Biblical Studies

Students on this track will receive a comprehensive education in Egyptian and biblical languages along with the culture, history and religion of Egypt. An interdisciplinary research approach will be encouraged, culminating in the writing of a thesis relating the world of the Hebrew Bible to Egyptian culture. The program is designed to offer students different perspectives (linguistic, historical, sociocultural, religious) and different methodologies. In the licentiate thesis the student will investigate a particular aspect of the Egyptian language in order to demonstrate their competence in research and their scholarly ability to present their results.

Prerequisites: Ancient Greek (high school level), one modern language (either French or German), and passive knowledge of German.

• 30 ECTS Egyptian A B C S
• 30 ECTS Hebrew I, II, III, IV
• 15 ECTS New Egyptian I, II
• 15 ECTS Other Egyptian languages (ancient or demotic) A B or Coptic A B C
• 15 ECTS Other languages of biblical interest: Akkadian/Sumerian/Ugaritic (3 courses)
• 10 ECTS History (2 semesters)
• 5 ECTS Archeology
• 15 ECTS Elective courses (religion, literature, geography, Hebrew A B, Greek A B)
• 5+10 ECTS Seminar with written paper
• 30 ECTS Licentiate thesis.

Each student is assigned an academic advisor who assists the student in formulating their course of studies and assists them with their selection of courses each semester. Their course of studies must also be approved by the Dean.

The student who already has sufficient preparation in Hebrew and/or Greek can take an exam in order to be exempted from Hebrew I, II, III, IV and/or Greek I, II, III, IV.