Distance Education Programs in Aramaic Studies: Overview of Learning Options

Online education programs focusing exclusively on Aramaic Studies are very rare. However, individuals with an interest in Aramaic can approach the study of it from disciplines such as linguistics or religious studies. Depending on their interests and career paths, students might take non-credit courses in the language or pursue master's degrees in theology or linguistics.

Online Learning Options for Aramaic Studies

Because Aramaic is a rare language, there are few online programs devoted specifically to its study. However, the language has a rich and significant history, so courses in several disciplines include discussions of Aramaic to varying extents. Some programs in theology and linguistics include courses that address the cultural, historical, literary and religious significance of Aramaic.

Program Information and Requirements

The characteristics and requirements of an online Aramaic study program will vary widely depending on a student's intentions and approach. Those with a strong interest in the linguistic or religious significance of Aramaic might pursue an online master's degree program in linguistics or theology, which would require several years' worth of coursework and a written thesis. On the other hand, a student with an amateur interest in the language might enroll in one or two non-credit online classes that would provide an introduction to the language and its cultural significance without requiring an entire degree program.
Online Aramaic courses will generally combine readings from a textbook or primary text with audio or video lectures delivered via the Internet. Students should have access to a computer with a high-speed Internet connection.

List of Aramaic Courses

In general, courses on Aramaic will fall under the category of either linguistics or theology. Some examples are given below, though the extent to which a given class of each type focuses on Aramaic in particular may vary widely.

Old Testament Course

A general course on the Old Testament might not focus exclusively on the study of Aramaic. However, it will give the interested student an introduction to what are perhaps the most famous Aramaic texts, the Biblical books of Daniel and Ezra. Studying these texts, even in translation, will offer a beginning familiarity with the cultural, literary and religious significance of the Aramaic language.

World Linguistics Course

An online world linguistics course introduces the basic world language families, including the Semitic branch to which Aramaic belongs. A comprehensive overview of global linguistics will give students an outline of how Aramaic is similar to languages such as Arabic and Hebrew, and of its unique qualities.

Biblical Aramaic Course

A course in biblical Aramaic provides a theological approach to the Aramaic language. Discussion generally focuses on the Old Testament, sometimes with supplementary coverage of Aramaic texts from the Talmud.

Continuing Education Information

A background in Aramaic studies can be useful for scholars in several fields. Students might consider graduate programs in history or linguistics. Knowledge of Aramaic is also useful in divinity schools, where speakers can read parts of the Old Testament and the Talmud in the original.