HDS Summer Language Program

Registrar's Office

Summer Language Program

Language Study for the Theological Curriculum

Monday, June 23, through Friday, August 15, 2008

Harvard Divinity School's Summer Language Program (SLP) is an eight-week program in language study designed specifically for the theological curriculum. German, French, and Spanish are taught for rapid reading comprehension; Hebrew, Greek, and Latin follow the classical method of instruction. Previous knowledge of the language is required for Intermediate Hebrew, Intermediate Greek, and Classical Arabic.

Courses Offered

Elementary Biblical Hebrew
Intermediate Biblical Hebrew
Elementary Syriac
Elementary New Testament Greek
Intermediate New Testament and Hellenistic Greek
Classical Arabic*
Christian Latin
French for Reading in Theological and Religious Studies
German for Reading in Theological and Religious Studies
Spanish for Reading in Theological and Religious Studies

* The prerequisite for Classical Arabic is one year of Elementary Modern Arabic (Arabic A).

Admission

The Summer Language Program is open to all men and women who have graduated from, or are currently enrolled in, an accredited college or its equivalent. Others may make a special request for admission.

Prospective students are asked to apply as early as possible. The application form and $50 application fee must be received no later than May 1, 2008.

Credit

The courses offered correspond both in quality and quantity of work to a full course given throughout the academic year (or to two half courses). Each course is 8 units (two semesters) of credit (a unit is approximately equivalent to one semester-hour in academic institutions using that system of evaluation). Courses must be taken for a letter grade only. Students may audit, but only with payment of full tuition.

The Summer Language Program does not grant degrees. HDS degree students may count SLP courses toward the course requirements under the normal course restrictions of their program, including specific language study limitations. Non-HDS students may request official transcripts for credit earned. (Students enrolled in degree programs at other institutions are advised to have their Summer Language Program courses approved in advance by the appropriate officer in their own school if they wish to have credit applied toward their degree program.)

Tuition and Fees

Non-HDS, Nondegree Students:
Non-HDS students, HDS nondegree students, and ThD students paying reduced tuition are required to pay the Summer Language Program tuition at registration. SLP tuition for 2008 for anyone other than HDS students taking the course as part of their program is $4,200. There is an additional $50 application fee to be submitted with the application form.

Full-time HDS Degree Candidates:
Full-time degree students who began their programs after 2006 and who will be enrolled full-time the following fall may participate once in the Summer Language Program and have it covered by normal term tuition. That is, first time participation will not affect tuition. Fees, however are required: $50 application fee due upon application to the program and $250 program fee due at registration.

Part-time HDS Degree Candidates and Those Who Began Their Program of Study Prior to 2006:
Part-time students and those who started their degree program before 2006 may participate in the Summer Language Program and have it count toward the requirements of their degree, provided:

They will be registered in the fall;
They pay the additional program fee of $250 upon registration (in addition to the $50 application fee);
They pay additional tuition in the fall equal to normal tuition for two half courses.

The additional tuition paid for the Summer Language Program will apply toward these students' overall required tuition (tuition equivalent to 16 half courses for MTS students, 24 half courses for MDiv students, and 8 half courses for ThM students). Less tuition will accordingly be due toward the end of their programs. Fall term financial aid awards may be adjusted to help pay for the additional SLP tuition.

ThD Students:
ThD students paying full tuition in fall 2008 are not required to pay Summer Language Program tuition or the program fee.

Refund Schedule:
Students who drop a course on or before Monday, June 30, will receive a full refund of tuition. Half the tuition will be refunded if a course is dropped on or before Monday, July 7; thereafter, no refund.

Class Hours

All classes except Elementary Syriac will be held Monday and Wednesday, 6 to 9 pm, and Friday, 4 to 7 pm. The schedule for Elementary Syriac will be posted at a later date.

Classes are held in the evening to allow self-supporting students to work during the day. It should be noted, however, that many students have found it difficult to work full time while taking the Summer Language Program, and good judgment is advised.

Elementary Biblical Hebrew	MW 6-9 pm & F 4-7 pm	(Course site)
Intermediate Biblical Hebrew	MW 6-9 pm & F 4-7 pm	(Course site)
Elementary Syriac	TBA	(Course site)
Elementary New Testament Greek	MW 6-9 pm & F 4-7 pm	(Course site)
Intermediate New Testament & Hellenistic Greek	MW 6-9 pm & F 4-7 pm	(Course site)
Classical Arabic	MW 6-9 pm & F 4-7 pm	(Course site)
Christian Latin	MW 6-9 pm & F 4-7 pm	(Course site)
French for Reading in Theological & Religious Studies	MW 6-9 pm & F 4-7 pm	(Course site)
German for Reading in Theological & Religious Studies	MW 6-9 pm & F 4-7 pm	(Course site)
Spanish for Reading in Theological & Religious Studies	MW 6-9 pm & F 4-7 pm	(Course site)

Other Summer Programs

Requests for information on courses offered at Harvard University in fields other than theological language study should be addressed to: Harvard Summer School, 51 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138; 617.495.4024. HDS students should know that summer work other than the HDS Summer Language Program may not be counted toward the course requirements of their program.

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