Syriac Sertá book script. Mt. Sinai, Egypt, ca. 11th c.

This taught course is intended to give experience in reading a wide range of different Syriac texts, and to provide a solid basis in the subject for those intending to go on to do original research.

The standard requirement is a First Class or good Second Class honours Degree (or equivalent qualification) and a basic knowledge of the Syriac language.

Students must choose to study texts in three of the following subjects: Biblical versions; exegetical literature; early poetry; liturgy; historical literature; secular literature; monastic literature; hagiography; translations of Greek patristic texts; (or any other subject approved by the Faculty Board). The choice of the precise texts to be read in each of the three subjects selected is decided by consultation between teacher and students in the first week of Michaelmas Term. Teaching takes the form of (a) text-classes (usually 5 hours per week), for which students are expected to prepare; (b) seminars (usually one and a half hours per week): students are expected to prepare oral or written presentations on specified topics; and (c) lectures on the general background of Syriac literature (normally one hour per week in Michaelmas term). These classes and lectures are normally given by Dr David Taylor or Dr Alison Salvesen. There are also many other lecture courses and seminar series in related fields which students may be encouraged to attend.

Manuscript showing the Lord's Prayer written in Syriac.

The examination (towards the end of the Trinity Term) takes the form of four three-hour papers. The first of these consists of essay questions on the history, literature, and culture of the Syriac Churches; candidates are required to answer three questions (out of seven or so that are set). The other three papers will each have an obligatory Question 1, containing 4 passages from the set texts for translation into English and for comment. Questions 2-6 will be essay questions, most of which concern some aspect of the specific set texts. Candidates are required to answer 2 of these essay questions. Every candidate will also be examined viva voce unless s/he shall have been individually excused by the examiners. In taught graduate degrees the pass mark is 60. In the M.St. a distinction may be awarded for a final overall mark of 70 or above. The final mark is arrived at as a numerical mean of the marks on individual papers, with the qualification that the candidate must also pass on each paper individually.