Armenian manuscript c. 5th Century AD..

This course will not be offered during the academic year 2011-2012, but will be open to students again in 2012-2013. If you are interested in this course, please contact the Calouste Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian Studies, Professor Theo M. van Lint at the following e-mail address: theo.vanlint@orinst.ox.ac.uk.

This is an intensive one-year taught degree course which is intended to give students experience in reading and interpreting a wide range of Armenian texts, from a choice of genres, either as a stand-alone qualification or as a solid foundation in the subject for those intending to go on to do doctoral research.

The standard requirement is a First Class or good Second Class honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in a field relevant to the course.

After an initial introduction to the grammar and syntax of classical Armenian, the student reads a variety of texts. An understanding of the literary culture of the period and the historical background is thus obtained directly from the original sources.

There are several options regarding texts to be studied:

• Biblical texts
• Homiletic and polemical literature
• Hagiographic texts
• Historical literature of the 5th-9th centuries
• Historical literature of the 10th-14th centuries
• Religious and secular verse
• [or any other subject approved by the Faculty Board]

Candidates have to choose three of these options.

Carving of an Armenian on the East Stairs of the Apadana of Persepolis.

The examination (towards the end of the Trinity Term) takes the form of four three-hour papers. The first consists of essay questions on general topics of Armenian history and literature; candidates are generally required to answer three questions out of ten or so that are set. The other three papers consist of passages to be translated in the three types of text chosen by the candidate, with brief questions on the content or grammar of the passages set. The passages for translation will be mostly seen texts, but unseen translation from and into Armenian may be required. A viva-voce examination may also be required. For particularly meritorious work a distinction may be awarded.