Recent Developments in Coptic Studies at Macquarie University
Based on our three-year experience in teaching Coptic Studies to students from all backgrounds both face-to-face and online, we have added to both our degrees and individual courses to better meet the needs of our students. New study options are a new shorter degree, the Postgraduate Certificate, and the possibility to study for the MA full-time, which may be of particular interest to overseas students wanting to come to Macquarie University for a year of concentrated study. New courses in Introductory Bohairic and an overview of Coptic literature, Voices from Coptic Egypt, which does not require a knowledge of the Coptic language, are introduced following suggestions from current and prospective students. In an exciting new development for Coptic at Macquarie, a Postgraduate Certificate in Coptic Studies will be offered from 2008, allowing students to undertake three subjects in Coptic History and Language, with the option of progressing on to the Coptic Masters program by completing a further five subjects. The new Certificate is perfect for students wishing to complete a shorter program, while still gaining a significant qualification for their work. It is particularly suited to those students undertaking Coptic Studies for professional development or personal interest.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Coptic Studies consists of 3 units (12 credit points). It is possible to upgrade this degree to an M.A. in a subsequent stage. The Postgraduate Certificate can be taken over one to three semesters. For the schedule of offerings consult the Course timetable. The Master of Arts in Coptic Studies has been available to students studying in overseas institutions for online study. However, because of visa regulations it was not possible for overseas students to come to Macquarie to study face-to-face, as the degree was only available for part-time study. From 2008, the Coptic MA is now available to be studied full-time both on-campus and externally and to be completed in one year. This also means overseas students may apply for a students visa to complete their MA in Coptic Studies on-campus at Macquarie. If you are interested in this possibility, please make sure you contact us for advice on how to enrol and which courses to choose. New Introductory Bohairic Courses Until now, Coptic language teaching here at Macquarie has begun with the Sahidic dialect, the most prominent literary form of Coptic from the 3rd to 9th centuries, with other Coptic dialects being taught in the later Coptic units AHPG898 Coptic Dialects and AHPG 899 Advanced Coptic Texts. From 2008 students will also be able to undertake introductory units in Bohairic, the dialect still used in the liturgy of the Coptic Orthodox Church today. AHPG829 Coptic I - Bohairic and AHPG839 Coptic II - Bohairic will be offered in alternate years to the existing Sahidic courses, and are expected to be of particular interest to lay and professional members of the Coptic Orthodox Church. New Non-Language Unit: Voices from Coptic Egypt In addition to the new language units in Bohairic, 2008 will also see the introduction of AHPG849 Voices from Coptic Egypt. This non-language unit looks at the history of Coptic literature, with discussion of a wide range of Coptic texts in translation, including saints' lives, sermons, monastic rules, magic texts, letters and wills. Coptic literature forms a major part of the literature of Late Antiquity and AHPG849 gives students access to these texts without the prerequisite of Coptic language study. Enquiries
Dr Heike Behlmer
Dr Malcolm Choat Mrs Anne Irish, Departmental Administrator Phone: +61 2 9850 8833 Email: airish@hmn.mq.edu.au |