Summer Language Program
The Graduate School will sponsor intensive courses in selected foreign languages during the summer of 2013. The courses provide a general introduction to language and assist graduate students in acquiring a reading proficiency normally adequate to satisfy departmental language requirements. This means that the student will come away with a basic knowledge of the language and the skills to read it. Certification of successful completion of the course(s) will be provided by the Graduate School.
Classes will meet five days a week from 10 a.m. to noon during the six-week periods of June 10-July 19 and July 22-Aug. 30. Courses in both sessions are taught at the same academic level. There must be a minimum of 15 students enrolled in order for a class to be held. Enrollment will be limited to 18 students per class.
Priority enrollment goes first to Princeton graduate students, followed by Princeton Theological Seminary graduate students, and then all others. Please keep in mind that these are intensive courses and have a high workload. Be prepared to minimize conflicts that may interfere with attendance during the six-week period.
The registration deadline for all students is Monday, April 15.
Princeton Theological Seminary students must complete a release form with their registration and deposit.
Courses Offered
Assuming sufficient demand, two classes each of French and German, and one class each of Latin and Gəʾəz (see description below) will be offered.
Gəʾəz (classical Ethiopic) is an ancient written African language, a member of the Afro-Asiatic language family that includes Hebrew and Arabic. Like Latin, it has long been a scholarly and liturgical language (since the fourth century), but is no longer spoken outside of church services. Few of the vitally important documents in Gəʾəz have been translated into any other language, so scholars of Gəʾəz are urgently needed. Biblical scholars are interested in studying Gəʾəz because the earliest versions of some biblical texts exist only in this language, such as the books of Enoch and Jubilees. Historical scholars of East Africa are interested in the language because the chronicles of the Ethiopian kings, land grants, and other important documents were written in Gəʾəz. Finally, African literature scholars are interested in the language, since there is a significant body of indigenous texts in Gəʾəz including hagiographies (tales about Ethiopian folk heroes), songs, poetry, theology, and philosophy. The fourteenth through the seventeenth centuries were a particularly rich period for Gəʾəz literature. Princeton has the most significant collection of Gəʾəz manuscripts in the Americas, so those taking the course will have an unusual chance to peruse early manuscripts of important Ethiopian texts.
Tuition
Tuition is $700 per course. Applicants should complete the registration form and mail a nonrefundable $375 deposit (to be applied to the total) for each course. Cash or check payments only. Please note that only online registration will be accepted.
Checks should be made payable to Princeton University and mailed to: Summer Language Program, Attn: Elaine Willey, The Graduate School, Princeton University, 111 Clio Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544 . Please note that if you do not pay in full, remaining tuition is due by Friday, April 26. Confirmation of your enrollment and course dates will be emailed to you by Friday, May 3. Enrollment cannot be confirmed until full tuition has been received.
No refunds will be available if a student withdraws from a course at any time. If a course section has been either filled or cancelled, applicants will be notified and their fees refunded.
Housing and Other Information
Summer housing is available for enrolled Princeton University students only and should be arranged by the student directly with the Housing Department, MacMillan Building, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544; (609) 258-3720. New incoming students in the first session cannot expect to be housed in University housing before July 1.
New incoming students who participate in the program will be eligible for a student I.D. card on or after July 1. The Student Health Plan (SHP) fee must be paid either by the department or the student in order to receive a student I.D. card. The SHP fee amount is $316 to cover the months of July and August. (This fee is subject to change.)
For further information, please contact Elaine Willey at 609-258-3033 or ewilley@princeton.edu.