Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures

Professor	Edward M. Cook
Professor Emeritus	Rev. Sidney H. Griffith, S.T.
Associate Professors	Andrew D. Gross, Chair; Aaron M. Butts, Mellon Chair of Early Christian Studies
Adjunct Associate Professor	Janet A. Timbie
Senior Lecturer	Shawqi Talia
Lecturer	Monica J. Blanchard

The Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures is basically a graduate department. Introductory language courses, however, are open to interested undergraduates. In particular, the two courses entitled "Introduction to Arabic" (SEM 241 and SEM 242) are designed to accommodate undergraduate students; 6 credits each, these two courses are equivalent to four semesters of the usual introductory and intermediate language instruction. SEM 242 fulfills the school's requirement in foreign language; see the next paragraph here. Courses at the 500 and 600 levels are open to qualified undergraduates. Undergraduate students who have completed the introductory language courses may take the more advanced courses that follow in sequence, for which they should consult the Graduate Studies Announcements.

The foreign language requirement for degrees in the School of Arts and Sciences may be fulfilled by satisfactorily completing SEM 242, Introduction to Arabic (6 credits). The prerequisite for SEM 242 is SEM 241 (6 credits), with a grade of at least C-, or departmental placement. SEM 241 does not fulfill the foreign language requirement but counts as a free elective.

Introductory courses for other languages are offered with undergraduate numbers, including Biblical Hebrew (SEM 311 and SEM 312), Syriac (SEM 331 and SEM 332), and Coptic (SEM 381). For descriptions of other Semitics courses offered, consult the department website.