Undergraduate Course: Introducing Biblical Hebrew (BIST08013)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | An introduction to Biblical Hebrew for beginners. |
| Course description |
Academic Description:
This course provides a structured introduction to the language of biblical (i.e. classical) Hebrew. The aim is to enable to students to read simple prose texts from the Hebrew Bible. Grammatical concepts are covered in a systematic way throughout the course. From a very early stage students read sample sentences drawn directly from the Hebrew Bible itself, carefully chosen to correspond with the relevant lessons. Acquisition of a core stock of vocabulary is developed along with the grammar and text reading. Learning is reinforced through simple English-into-Hebrew exercises. The course concludes with a reading of a selected passage.
Syllabus/Outline Content:
The course assumes no background in the language, and begins with mastering the alphabet and writing system. Systematic coverage of nouns and the 'strong' verb follow. By the time of the course's mid point, basic grammatical concepts have been introduced. These are extended and developed through the verbal system, and the variations encountered in the so-called 'weak verbs'. Vocabulary acquisition features consistently throughout the course. This introduction to the language of the Hebrew Bible concludes by reading one self-contained prose text, such as the account of creation in Genesis 1, or the Akedah (Genesis 22).
Student Learning Experience Information:
The course has a programme of three class sessions each week in which the grammatical concepts are introduced, explained, and put to use. There is a further weekly tutorial which does not introduce new material, but consolidates the previous week's learning. The tutorial session includes a brief quiz each week to test understanding of recently covered grammar points, and the quality of vocabulary acquisition. All four sessions are thoroughly interactive, with ample opportunity for immediate feedback and practising the 'oral' aspects of the language. A cumulative mid-semester test provides a helpful check-point, as well as giving practice in the kind of assessment faced in the final exam.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 44,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
149 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Regular in-class tests (30%), a cumulative mid-semester test (10%), and a final exam (60%).
In order to pass this course, students must obtain a minimum of 40% in the combined tests, as well as in the final exam. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | | 2:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify and explain the basic elements of biblical Hebrew grammar.
- Read (aloud) and translate biblical Hebrew prose (including 'sight' reading).
- Translate simple English sentences into biblical Hebrew.
- Account for differing English translations of a given source text from the Hebrew Bible.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Heb1 |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr David Reimer
Tel: (0131 6)50 8977
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Katrina Munro
Tel: (0131 6)50 8900
Email: |
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