ARMENIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

Course objectives

The course aims to provide students with the linguistic knowledge to deal with Armenian texts of medium difficulty, directing them to the understanding of the main historical and literary dynamics that characterized ancient Armenian culture. Students will be able to exercise the knowledge and understanding acquired in order to analyze texts and historical contexts that are new, although connected with those they have already encountered in their field of study. This way, the students will be able to take note of the more complex articulation of the ancient world and to refine their ability to reflect on this complexity and evaluate it. Students will be guided to express and communicate these reflections and evaluations in a clear and understandable way. The aim of the course is to develop in students the learning skills necessary to continue and deepen the study independently.

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MARCO BAIS Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course aims to introduce students to the study of the Armenian language and culture, providing the linguistic tools necessary to read and interpret texts of intermediate difficulty and to understand the main historical, literary, and religious dynamics that shaped ancient Armenian civilization. The methodological approach combines linguistic analysis with a historical and cultural perspective: the study of grammar and vocabulary will be closely linked to the reading, translation, and interpretation of texts, which will be examined within their historical and literary contexts. This approach is intended to show how language, beyond being a formal system, reflects and conveys worldviews, religious models, and collective identities. Students will be progressively guided to develop their ability to analyze, understand, and interpret new texts and contexts, recognizing the relationships between linguistic evidence and historical or cultural phenomena. Particular attention will be devoted to fostering a critical and reflective attitude toward the complexity of the ancient world and the interactions among the various cultures of the Caucasian area.
Prerequisites
No specific prerequisites are required to attend the course.
Books
The reference texts for the study of grammar are the following: R.W. Thomson, An Introduction to Classical Armenian, Delmar NY 1989; R. Schmitt, Grammatik des Klassisch-Armenischen, Innsbruck 1981; D. Van Damme, Altarmenische Kurzgrammatik, neu bearbeitet von T. Böhm, Freiburg–Göttingen 2004. The reference Armenian–Italian dictionary is: M. Bedrossian, New Dictionary Armenian English, Venetik 1875. Grammar handouts, the Armenian texts analyzed in class, and any additional readings for cultural enrichment will be provided to students.
Frequency
Students are strongly encouraged to attend classes regularly.
Exam mode
The final examination will be oral and will include questions on the Armenian grammar presented in class, on the cultural topics discussed during the course, and on the text translated throughout the semester.
Bibliography
Additional bibliography may be provided during class for in-depth study of specific topics, upon students’ request.
Lesson mode
The course will be held in person, with lectures becoming particularly interactive during the sessions dedicated to linguistic analysis and text translation.
  • Lesson code10600337
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CoursePhilology, literatures and history of the ancient world
  • CurriculumFilologico e letterario
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDL-OR/13
  • CFU6