Summer School: Philology and Manuscripts from the Muslim World

Call for Applications

Date: August 19 – 30, 2024

Venue: Leiden University, Rapenburg 70, 2311 EZ Leiden, Netherlands

Application Deadline: May 1, 2024

This summer the Leiden department of Middle East Studies together with the University Library has organized a summer school in “Philology and Manuscripts from the Muslim World” from August 19 to August 30.

This summer school is for graduate (MA and PhD) students and researchers who have an interest in handwritten materials, editing, and the tradition of editing in the Muslim world. It offers theoretical lectures as well as hands-on practice with samples from the world-famous collections of the Leiden University Library.

Over the course of two weeks, specialists from Leiden University and beyond will provide instruction on issues of editing, paleography, conservation and other material aspects of oriental manuscripts. They will also speak about philology, literacy and orality and the transmission of knowledge in the Islamic manuscript culture, presenting case-studies from various parts of the Muslim world. Participants can use this information to practice their skills in producing a sample critical edition of a manuscript of their choice, under the supervision of experts.

Since the first contributions of scholars such as Scaliger, Golius and Warner, the Leiden University Library has housed one of the most important collections of oriental manuscripts in Europe. It includes thousands of Arabic, Persian and Ottoman manuscripts, not only from the historic heartlands of Islam but also from Asia, al-Andalus and Africa. Each participant will have full access to this collection as well as other library services.

Application

Graduate (MA and PhD) students and researchers who have an interest in handwritten materials and text editing are encouraged to apply for participation in the summer school. Applications should include:

• A letter of motivation specifying what research language(s) the applicant masters;
• A curriculum vitae;
• If you are a non-native speaker of English: a certificate testifying command of the English language (TOEFL 550 or equivalent).

The deadline for applications is Wednesday May 1, 2024. Participants will be informed about the selection by Friday May 3, 2024.

Costs: Tuition cost will be 600 euros.

Scholarships: There are two scholarships covering the tuition cost for participants not from Leiden University.

For more information and registration please visit: Leiden University