Philology and Manuscripts from the Muslim World

Date: 18 August - 29 August 2025
Costs: €600
Level: The course is meant for graduate students (MA and PhD) and researchers.
Language: English. Non-native speakers are required to have a command of English equivalent to at least TOEFL 550.
Scholarships: There are two scholarships to cover the tuition for students who don't have access to funding from their home institutions or otherwise. To be considered for this scholarship, please provide an official letter from your institution stating that they cannot provide the tuition fee. 

Introduction

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).

Applications can be submitted to: m.van.der.linden@hum.leidenuniv.nl

The deadline for applications is the 5th of May. 

For questions please email: m.van.der.linden@hum.leidenuniv.nl

About the instructors

This year’s programme offers a wonderful line-up of lecturers covering topics from codicological concerns of Arabic manuscripts to South-Asian manuscript collections in postcolonial and digital perspectives and Hebrew manuscript traditions.