TFF3285 – Coptic II
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course will enable students who have already taken a 10 credit course to improve their language skills in order to read texts in Coptic unaided. Coptic is a form of Egyptian that appears in written texts from the fourth century onwards. This replaced earlier forms of written Egyptian, notably Hieratic and Demotic, and was used not only for the translation of Christian texts but also for magic texts, letters and later for everyday documentation following the Arab conquest of the seventh century.
Learning Coptic will enable students to study the writings of the fourth and fifth century monastic fathers such as Pachomius and Shenoute, the numerous lives of martyrs and ascetic saints, church sermons, letters and accounts. It will also give access to non-canonical and apocryphal texts, such as the Nag Hammadi codices, which are only known to us in Coptic. This group of texts include such intriguing works as the Gospels of Mary and Judas.
In this course students shall study Sahidic Coptic, which is the dialect of Coptic most widely studied in the academic world and, as such, there are more teaching aides available for use by the learner and teacher. As the course progresses, students will be introduced to extracts from real texts which they will learn to translate independently.
Learning outcome
Students will attain an enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding and specific content knowledge in the field of early Christian texts.
Students shall be able to think critically about textual materials, their transmission and their value in understanding the development of Christian doctrine and ideology.
The knowledge of Coptic will enhance the student opportunity to engage with authentic and original textual material in a way that promotes critical thinking and evaluative skills.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Students must have passed a 10 credit course in the Coptic language.
Teaching
Teaching will take place over the whole semester and include lectures, explanation of grammar points, textual analysis and translation exercises.
Additionally, students will have the opportunity to work on translation exercises based on extracts from textual material selected and provided by the tutor.
Mandatory requirements:
Students must have a minimum attendance record of 80% in order to take the examination.
During the semester, students will be given a fortnightly translation exercise. Students must complete these to a satisfactory level in order to be entered for the final examination.
Examination
The final examination shall be a six hour written test with supervision.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.