Course unit details:
Biblical Hebrew: Beginners
| Unit code | RELT70140 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 30 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Full year |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This course is designed to train you in reading Biblical Hebrew fluently and to familiarise you with the ins and outs of Biblical Hebrew grammar. During our weekly classes you will be taught aspects of that grammar systematically. In class and through self-study, you will have the opportunity (1) to practise your knowledge through grammatical and translation exercises and (2) to apply it through reading, translating and grammatically analysing simple texts written in Biblical Hebrew style as well as some easy (and to some extent simplified) portions from the Hebrew Bible. The basic book for the course is Lily Kahn’s The Routledge Introductory Course in Biblical Hebrew (London, 2014). By the end of the course you will be able to use Kahn’s text, other Hebrew grammars, and a range of scholarly tools both to enrich your reading of the Hebrew Bible and as a basis for progressing to intermediate and higher levels of competency in your study of the language.
Aims
To provide a basic coverage of the grammar and vocabulary of Biblical Hebrew
To teach you how to translate and comment on simple, mostly narrative passages of the Hebrew Bible
Knowledge and understanding
Demonstrate knowledge of the vocabulary most commonly found in the Hebrew Bible
Demonstrate a basic understanding of Biblical Hebrew grammar and syntax
Demonstrate an awareness of the value of interpreting primary sources in their original language
Intellectual skills
Demonstrate your ability to analyse an ancient text grammatically.
Manage your own academic development, including reflecting on progress and taking appropriate action.
Practical skills
Read and write Biblical Hebrew
Identify and parse both regular and irregular word-forms
Translate and comment on easy texts in Biblical Hebrew
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Manage time and resources
· Understand the value of learning languages to access a different culture
· Demonstrate an enhanced aptitude for independent work
· Demonstrate an enhanced aptitude for self-motivation
Demonstrate a broad interest in language, history and culture
Employability skills
- Group/team working
- Other
- Demonstrate your ability to comprehend an ancient language/study independently/manage your time. ¿ Demonstrate your ability to carry out independent study ¿ Demonstrate your ability to participate in group activities ¿ Demonstrate your ability to engage in time-management
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 20% |
| Written exam | 30% |
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 50% |
2 x class tests 10% each
Feedback methods
| Feedback Method | Summative or Formative |
| Oral feedback in class on a continuous basis | Formative |
| Written feedback on homework | Formative |
| Written feedback on class tests | Summative |
| Written feedback on exam | Summative |
| Written feedback on essay | Summative |
| Additional one-to-one feedback available (during the consultation hour or by making an appointment) | Formative |
Recommended reading
Lily Kahn, The Routledge Introductory Course in Biblical Hebrew (London: Routledge, 2014)
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Practical classes & workshops | 44 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 256 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Todd Klutz | Unit coordinator |