Thank you for your interest in the Aramaic language and culture. Unfortunately, we are no longer offering this course. Sorry for any inconvenience.
The Language
The Aramaic language is best identified as the language spoken by Jesus Christ. The language descends from the Ancient Sumerians and Akkadians, and has transformed from the cuneiform language dating back to 3,500 B.C. Syriac is the eastern dialect of Aramaic and is spoken by modern day Chaldean Assyrian Syriacs. The course will specifically cover the Syriac dialect, with brief overview of other Aramaic dialects.
The History
Mesopotamia also known as the land between two rivers is referred to as the cradle of civilization. Aramaic-speaking people such as the Chaldean Assyrian Syriacs, are descendent of the ancient Babylonians and Assyrians who settled in Mesopotamia. The Aramaic program focuses on the history of the Aramaic-speaking people from the beginnings of Sumerian existence, to the recent state of Iraq.
The Culture
Many Aramaic speaking people live in northern Iraq, mostly in the Nineveh province. Many Aramaic Speaking people have fled Iraq because of persecution starting from the early 70’s. The Nineveh province contains many villages each with similar traditions and dialects. The Aramaic program gives students the ability to understand the Aramaic language through geographical differences in dialects.