比较符号学领域致力于研究闪族语言家族的语言和方言。该计划的目的是为每种主要的闪族语言提供透彻的基础，特别强调其中一种语言。在开发任何特定课程时，主要考虑因素是，学生应达到主要语言水平的水平，该水平应等于在比较符号学之外的背景下主修该语言的人的期望水平。学生的取向可能更偏重于语言方法（即以语言的形式研究为特征）或语言方法（即以对文本和文学的研究为特征）。语言方法和原理的基本知识是这两个方向的要求。将该课程与本系其他语言课程区分开来的主要因素是有意识地向学生介绍对闪族语言及其发展的全面理解。
The field of Comparative Semitics is devoted to the study of the languages and dialects of the Semitic language family. The purpose of the program is to provide a thorough grounding in each of the major Semitic languages, with special emphasis on one of these languages. The key consideration in the development of any particular program is that the student should reach a level of competence in the major language which equals that expected of someone majoring in that language in a context other than Comparative Semitics. The student's orientation may be more heavily weighted toward a linguistic approach, i.e., characterized by the formal study of language, or toward a philological approach, i.e., characterized by emphasis on the study of texts and literatures. Basic knowledge of linguistic methods and principles is a requirement for both orientations. The principal factor which distinguishes this program from the various other language programs in the department is the conscious intent to introduce the student to a comprehensive understanding of the Semitic languages and their development. The student will choose a main language of specialization out of the five major areas of Semitic. The five main languages of specialization are Hebrew, Aramaic, Akkadian, Arabic, and Geez. At the end of the program, students are expected to pass examinations at a four-year level in their main language and to control the major dialects of their area.