Textual Criticism and Methods for Editing Arabic Texts [ LGLOR2931 ]

 Two years of Classical and/or Modern Standard Arabic.
 

This course teaches the student how to analyse and assess research on the history of Classical and Post-Classical Arabic texts (7th to 15th centuries).
It addresses two categories of scholarly works:
- Studies on the history of one or several Arabic texts (origin and composition, sources, internal transmission, description of manuscripts, reception or secondary history).
- Critical editions of selected texts (establishing the text, diplomatic or eclectic method, processing variant readings and critical apparatus, index, bibliography).
After an introduction by the tutor, each student will prepare a methodological assessment of a recent relevant study.
Occasionally, and whenever possible, visiting lecturers will share the practical aspects of their current research with the students.

At the end of the course, the student should have acquired:
- knowledge of the various aspects of textual criticism as applied to Classical and post-Classical Arabic texts;
- knowledge of the various techniques and approaches to editing Arabic texts;
- the ability to assess the value of critical editions of Arabic texts;
- the communication skills required to orally present an evaluation as mentioned above;
- the communication skills required to actively contribute to a discussion on a highly technical subject pertaining to the history of an Arabic text;
- the ability to write a short paper on the critical edition of an Arabic text and to process feedback given by the tutor and by fellow students.