Undergraduate Course: Introducing Biblical Hebrew (BIST08013)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| 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 in Hebrew, 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, the Akedah (Genesis 22).
Student Learning Experience Information:
The course has three classes 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 sessions often include a brief quiz to test understanding of recently covered grammar points, and the quality of vocabulary acquisition. There are also additional online materials and activities which can be completed in the students' own time.
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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 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
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
70 %,
Coursework
0 %,
Practical Exam
30 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
30% in-class tests (10/15 minutes each);
70% Exam |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 3:00 | | | 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 |
- Self- discipline
- Self- direction
- Ability to engage critically with the meaning of documents and recognise that meanings may be multiple
- Ability to read texts in a different language |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Suzanna Millar
Tel: (0131 6)50 8904
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Jamie Smith
Tel: (0131 6)50 8913
Email: |
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