THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2023/2024

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Divinity : Divinity

Postgraduate Course: Intermediate Biblical Hebrew (PG) (BIST11024)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Divinity CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course strengthens students¿ biblical Hebrew language skills at an intermediate level. It offers a structured consolidation of grammar and vocabulary, and focusses on using the language to translate, analyse, and explore texts from the Hebrew Bible.
Course description Academic Description:
This course builds on the biblical Hebrew language skills acquired in ¿Introducing Biblical Hebrew¿ (or equivalent course), strengthening them at an intermediate level. It is intended to consolidate and develop students¿ grammar and vocabulary proficiency, and to put these skills to use. It achieves this through close analysis of texts from the Hebrew Bible. Students read, translate, and explore various set texts, considering their textual, historical, and literary dimensions.

Syllabus/Outline Content:
The precise content of the course varies from year to year. It always includes a review of grammar and close reading of several set texts, of varied character and difficulty. These texts will primarily be prose narratives, such as the creation accounts (Gen 1-3); the book of Jonah; the book of Ruth; or the prose framework of Job (Job 1-2, 42). Poetry may also be introduced towards the end of the course, such as a selection of Psalms, or excerpts from the prophets. The set texts will be read, translated, and analysed in depth.

Student Learning Experience Information:
Students have two hours of class time per week. In advance of most classes, they will be expected to read, translate, and analyse a short portion of the set text. In class, students will discuss their translations and consolidate any grammatical issues that emerge. They will use their language skills for exegetical purposes, and explore together what new light the original language might shed on our interpretation of the text. In-class assessment provides students a useful way to track their progress, and an essay gives them further opportunity to practice their language skills.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2023/24, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Full Year
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 44, Formative Assessment Hours 1, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 151 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 40 %, Coursework 20 %, Practical Exam 40 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 40% - In-class assessment (written and/or oral format)

20% - Language skills Essay (1500 words)

40% - Final Exam
Feedback Students receive frequent oral feedback in class from the teaching staff. They also receive written comments on submitted work, such as in-class assessments, homework assignments, and their essay.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)3:00
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)2:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Explain complex features of biblical Hebrew grammar and syntax.
  2. Accurately parse regular and irregular forms of the verb in all conjugations.
  3. Understand a wide range of biblical Hebrew vocabulary.
  4. Translate varied biblical Hebrew texts into English, including 'unseen' texts.
  5. Use biblical Hebrew to exegete texts from the Hebrew Bible, considered in their textual, historical, and literary dimensions.
Reading List
Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, 5th ed (Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997). ISBN 3438052229.

Recommended resources:

Bill T. Arnold and Choi, John H. A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax (Cambridge, 2003).

W. R. Scott, A Simplified Guide to BHS. Critical Apparatus, Masora, Accents, Unusual Letters & Other Markings 3rd ed. (N. Richland Hills, TX: Bibal, 1995).

E. Würthwein, The Text of the OT: An Introduction to the Biblia Hebraica (3rd edition, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2014).
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Keywordsbiblical studies,tanak,ancient languages
Contacts
Course organiserDr Suzanna Millar
Tel: (0131 6)50 8904
Email:
Course secretaryMiss Rachel Dutton
Tel: (0131 6)50 7227
Email:
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