Ancient Coptic Magic: A Linguistic Approach
This new course is designed for beginners to the Coptic language who have an interest in ancient Coptic magic and related traditions. Each week, we will examine an ancient Coptic text, analyzing it together line-by-line, with a focus on both pronunciation and translation. This weekly exercise will be supplemented with audio and video recordings, original word-for-word translations, and (optional) homework to reinforce the grammar and vocabulary of ancient Coptic magical texts. A private community will allow you to interact with the two instructors and other students via text and voice chat. The 8-week course begins July 1, 2021.
Registered students will receive:
Each week, there will be a live videoconference of approximately 90 minutes. Each session will cover:
a brief grammar lesson utilizing Coptic in 20 Lessons, including suggested (optional) homework for the week;
a thorough review of the week’s translation project (see below);
some observations on the historical context of the ritual/text for the week;
opportunities to ask questions about any of the material.
All registered students will receive access to the recordings of the videoconferences.
Each week, we will release a new interlinear version (Coptic and English) of a Coptic text for study. These include original translations that strive to be as literal as possible in order to aid the student’s understanding of Coptic grammar and vocabulary. In some cases, glossaries of important vocabulary will be provided.
Each week, we will release an original audio recording of the weekly text to aid in pronunciation.
Even before the class starts (July 1, 2021), you will receive access to a private Discord server that will serve as a virtual classroom between the weekly videoconferences. (If you are not familiar with Discord, it is free and easy to use.) Some course materials will be released in advance and you are encouraged to begin working through Coptic in 20 Lessons with the community and instructors.
You will become familiar with the best online and offline tools for help with translating the ancient Coptic language.
You will be provided with answer keys for the (optional) homework assignments.
From time to time, additional translations will be made available to registered students during and after the 8-week course. If the same course is offered again in the next two years, registered students will be able to take the course a second time for free.
To get the most out of the course, it is recommended that you acquire a copy of Coptic in 20 Lessons before the course begins.
About the Instructors:
On the internet, I go by Phainolis. (I place a high value on personal privacy, but don’t worry: my legal name will be on your registration invoice.) I hold a master’s degree in Classics (ancient Greek and Latin) and a PhD in Religious Studies, with an emphasis on ancient Greek and Egyptian religion and magic. I have been studying, reading, and translating ancient Coptic and Greek for more than 15 years and have been teaching courses and seminars on the history of religion, magic, and mythology since 2006.
This course will be co-taught by a second instructor who has a PhD in Ancient History, with a focus on ancient Mediterranean religious and philosophical traditions, including early Christian monasticism in Egypt. She has been teaching and writing about these subjects for more than 15 years.
Seats are Limited!
In order to maintain a small classroom conducive to language learning, we have limited the number of registrations for this course. The registration page will have a live update of the number of seats remaining.
