Syriac Christianity is one of the best hidden secrets of the Christian tradition and is more often than not ignored in curricula and handbooks. Recently, however, given the political developments in Syria, knowledge of this particular branch of Christian tradition has become much needed again. In this unique course, experts from VU University and guest lecturers offer a thorough introduction into its most important aspects.
This will notably include the development of Syriac versions of the Scriptures and their transmission, the emergence of Syriac theology and the interrelationship between theology and biblicalinterpretation and translation. Also, the complex relationship of Syriac theology toemerging Islam, and to Western and Easterntheology will be paid attention to, as well as toSyriac Christianity's current, difficult, existence in Syria itself.
The latter part of the course will be developed in relation to the course that history will take in Syria in the coming months. Exchange with the Syriac immigrant/refugee community in the Netherlands will also give an impression of the ongoing life of Syriac Christianity and its interpretation of Scripture and tradition. In sum, the course offers a unique opportunity for studying the complexinterrelationship between tradition, identity formation, and interpretation in the case of Syriac Christianity from the past till the present.
Period
14-07-2014 - 25-07-2014 (2 weeks)
Target group
Students of Religious Studies, Theology, Divinity, Biblical Studies, Classics, Philosophy, History and Social Science.
Course aim
After the course, the student will:
- Have a broad knowledge of the most significant characteristics of Syriac Christianity, its history and theology
- Have knowledge of the relationships of Syriac Christianity to other forms of Christianity and Islam
- Be able to understand the complex interrelationship of interpretation and identity - formation in the case of Syriac Christianity
Credits
3.0 ECTS credits
ECTS is the standard European credit system, each ECTS credit is equivalent to 28 study hours. All courses are worth 3 ECTS. Because some education systems (such as the American universities) base their credits on contact hours, we have included the contact hours in the course description on our website.
Course fee
EUR 1200: The tuition fee of this course is 1200,- and includes furnished accommodation and the orientation programme. If you select two consecutive courses and study with us for four weeks, you will receive a 10% discount on the second course fee.Some courses will include excursions. We will also organize trips and excursions as part of our social programme, which is a great way to get to know your fellow students and learn more about Amsterdam and the Netherlands. The social programme is not included in the tuition fee.
Course leader
Prof. Wido van Peursen
VU University Amsterdam Study Abroad in Amsterdam
Address: De Boelelaan 1105 Amsterdam
Postal code: 1081 HV
City: Amsterdam
Country: Netherlands
Website: http://www.studyabroadinamsterdam.nl/en/summerschool/index.asp
E-mail: amsterdamsummerschool@vu.nl
Phone: +31 20 5986506
Syriac Christianity in Context
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Diverse
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2014-01-06, 00:00
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2025-09-29, 17:01
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Cristian Ion
