Introduction to Sahidic Coptic

About

The Coptic Summer School 2025 offers an immersive experience for beginners in Coptic studies, welcoming students, scholars, and those interested in ancient religious history. Emphasizing the Sahidic variety, the course Introduction to Sahidic Coptic ensures a solid foundation in Coptic grammar and morphology, fostering proficiency in reading and translating simple Coptic texts.

There are no entry requirements; the course is intended for beginners with a good command of the English language. The reference textbook is T. O. Lambdin, Introduction to Sahidic Coptic, Mercer University Press, Macon (GA) 1983, but not required. Materials provided digitally during class. Additional references: B. Layton, A Coptic Grammar, Harrassowitz Verlag, Wiesbaden 2011; B. Layton, Coptic in 20 Lessons, Peeters, Leuven-Paris-Dudley 2007.

The Coptic Language Summer School 2025 provides a dynamic learning experience with a combination of online sessions and an in-person residency in Rome.

The virtual component will encompass five sessions every Wednesday, commencing on May 28, 2025, as per the following schedule:

• Wed, May 28, 2025, 3-5 PM CEST via Zoom
• Wed, Jun 4, 2025, 3-5 PM CEST via Zoom
• Wed, Jun 11, 2025, 3-5 PM CEST via Zoom
• Wed, Jun 18, 2025, 3-5 PM CEST via Zoom
• Wed, Jun 25, 2025, 3-5 PM CEST via Zoom

The in-person residency will be held in Rome from July 21 to July 25, 2025. This immersive residency aims to enhance participants' proficiency through interactive sessions and practical exercises. The general schedule of the courses is as follows:

• Mon, July 21, 2025, 9-11 AM CEST
• Mon, July 21, 2025, 3-5 PM CEST
• Tue, July 22, 2025, 9-11 AM CEST
• Tue, July 22, 2025, 3-5 PM CEST
• Wed, July 23, 2025, 9-11 AM CEST
• Wed, July 23, 2025, 3-5 PM CEST
• Thu, July 24, 2025, 9-11 AM CEST
• Thu, July 24, 2025, 3-5 PM CEST
• Fri, July 25, 2025, 9-11 AM CEST
• Fri, July 25, 2025, 3-5 PM CEST

During free time, participants can utilize the facilities of the Waldensian Faculty of Theology for individual or group study sessions, with support from tutors. This includes full access to the library and Wi-Fi services.

A final certificate will be issued to students who have demonstrated a qualified and successful participation to class activities. It will be delivered during the last day of course to in-class students or sent by ordinary mail to online participants. The certificate grants 6 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System).
Students are required to total a minimum 80% attendance to receive the certificate and credits. In case of insufficient attendance or arguable behaviour, the course director may decide not to issue an attendance certificate. In this last case, registration fees may not be refunded.

Course leader

Vittorio Secco (1992) received a bachelor's degree in History (2014), a master's degree in Classical Philology (2016) and a master's degree in Theoretical Philosophy (2018) at the University of Genoa; after a period of study at the Humboldt Universität in Berlin, he received a bachelor's degree in Protestant Theology (2021) at the Waldensian Faculty of Theology in Rome. In 2023, after a year of study at the Protestant theology faculties in Leipzig and Jena, he received his master's degree in Theology from the Waldensian Faculty of Theology in Rome. He is currently a doctoral student at the Humboldt Universität in Berlin (advisors: Prof. Dr. Jens Schröter, Prof. Dr. Tonio Sebastian Richter), and Research Assistant with the charge of teaching Coptic at the Waldensian Faculty of Theology. Since 2019 he has been a member of the Coptic Studies Group at the same faculty.

Target group

Qualified students, scholars and people passionate about ancient religious history. The course is suitable for beginners with no prior knowledge of Coptic.

Course aim

The course Introduction to Sahidic Coptic ensures a solid foundation in Coptic grammar and morphology, fostering proficiency in reading and translating simple Coptic texts.

Fee info