Introduction to studies of the Ancient World 2 : Oriental languages and literatures [ LGLOR1415 ]
4.0 crédits ECTS
37.5 h
1q
Teacher(s)
Obsomer Claude (coordinator) ;
Seldeslachts Herman ;
den Heijer Johannes ;
Haelewyck Jean-Claude ;
Schmidt Andrea Barbara ;
Tavernier Jan ;
Coulie Bernard ;
De Callatay Godefroid ;
Language
French
Place of the course
Louvain-la-Neuve
Online resources
The syllabus is available on the Icampus server
Prerequisites
None
Main themes
An introduction to Oriental languages in all their linguistic and cultural diversity.
The course deals with the following themes:
1. The major historico-geographic landmarks;
2. The principal writing systems in use in the East;
3. Notions of the linguistic systems of the principal oriental languages;
4. An overview of the representative works of the literature in these languages.
Aims
At the end of this course, the student will have acquired an overview of the attested Oriental languages from the 3rd millennium BC to the present day. He will also have acquired more precision in respect of the most important languages and representative works of the literature.
Evaluation methods
A written exam. Students will be questionned on the classification of Oriental languages and on three areas of their choosing.
Teaching methods
Formal lectures
Content
This course, presented by a team of lecturers, will deal with the following areas:
1. Classification of Oriental languages (Indo-european, Semitic, others);
2. The languages of the ancient middle east (notably Akkadian and Hittite);
3. The languages of ancient Egypt (hieroglyphic Egyptian and Coptic);
4. Hebrew and Aramaic languages (Aramaic and Syriac);
5. Byzantine Greek and the Caucasian languages (Armenian and Georgian);
6. The Arab language;
7. The languages of India (Sanskrit) and of Indianised Asia.