Intermediate Syriac
Intermediate Syriac
Dumbarton Oaks/HMML Summer School
Intermediate Syriac
For doctoral students or recent PhDs who can demonstrate a need for Syriac in their research. Priority is given to students who lack opportunities to continue studying Syriac at their own institutions. The program welcomes international applicants, but does not sponsor J visas.
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Funder
Dumbarton Oaks -
Location
HMML, on the campus of Saint John’s University (SJU), Collegeville, MN -
Course level
Intermediate Syriac -
Course length
Four weeks -
Dates
July 13 - August 6, 2021 -
Course size
Up to 10 students -
Costs
All tuition, housing, and meal costs covered by Dumbarton Oaks; all transportation costs are responsibility of student
Course overview
- Morning and afternoon sessions are held Monday-Friday
- Course includes guest lectures and other learning opportunities
- Course is taught from readings, published transcriptions of Syriac texts, and manuscript images
- Course offers an introduction to paleography and to the study and use of manuscripts, especially those now available in HMML’s online Reading Room of digitized manuscripts
- Social events are hosted throughout and students are free to enjoy the beautiful 2,700-acre SJU campus with woods, lakes, and notable architecture
Prerequisites
Must have completed an introductory course in the language or its equivalent
Faculty for 2021
Guest faculty: Dr. Salam Rassi, Oxford University, United Kingdom; Dr. Alberto Rigolio, Durham University, United Kingdom
HMML staff: Father Columba Stewart, OSB, Executive Director, HMML & Professor of Theology, Saint John’s University; Dr. David Calabro, Curator of Eastern Christian Manuscripts; Dr. Joshua Mugler, Curator of Islamic Manuscripts; Dr. Matthew Heintzelman, Curator of Western European Manuscripts & Special Collections
Housing and meals
- All costs are covered by Dumbarton Oaks
- Students are housed in air conditioned apartments on the SJU campus and provided a private bedroom and bathroom, with shared kitchen and laundry facilities
- Students receive a meal contract through the SJU student Refectory
Application deadline
- The 2021 course is currently filled with students who were to participate in the cancelled 2020 course
- There is a wait list that will be tapped on a first-come, first-served basis, should there be a cancellation
- If, for any reason, there is a course opening, it will be posted here with an application deadline of February 15, 2021
Application submission
- Letter of no more than two single-spaced pages describing the applicant’s academic background, including language skills, and an explanation for why continuing Syriac is important for future research and teaching. Address letter to HMML Executive Director Father Columba Stewart, OSB
- Updated curriculum vitae
- A transcript of graduate school coursework for those who are currently doing graduate study. This is not required for those who completed a PhD
- Two letters of recommendation
Applicants
- Send all materials as email attachments to scholarlyprograms@hmml.org
- Add “Syriac Summer School” in the subject line
Letter of recommendation authors
- Send letter directly as email attachment to scholarlyprograms@hmml.org
- Add “Syriac Summer School + applicant’s name” in the subject line
Selection criteria
Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of previous academic achievement, demonstrated need for intensive study of Syriac, and research promise
Notification of acceptance
Awards will be announced in late February 2021 and must be accepted by March 15, 2021
About Dumbarton Oaks: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection is an institute in Washington, D.C., administered by the Trustees for Harvard University. It supports research and learning internationally in Byzantine, Garden and Landscape, and Pre-Columbian studies through fellowships and internships, meetings, and exhibitions. Located in residential Georgetown, Dumbarton Oaks welcomes researchers at all career stages who come to study its books, objects, images, and documents.