Coptic Language (CLCO)

This course introduces students to the basic grammar and vocabulary of Coptic, the final descendant of ancient Egyptian. Coptic is important for any who are interested in, among other things, early translations of the Bible, monasticism, early Christianity, liturgy, hagiography, homilies, "Gnosticism" (Nag Hammadi), and Manichaeism. This introduction will be focused on the two best attested Coptic dialects, Sahidic and Bohairic. The course is designed to enable students who have no previous training in Coptic to read simple to moderately difficult texts. A Coptic reading course will follow in the next semester. This course satisfies language requirements for certain programs; please check with your academic advisor.