Postgraduate Course: Intermediate Biblical Hebrew (PG) (BIST11024)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This 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.
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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 |
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 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
40 %,
Coursework
20 %,
Practical Exam
40 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
40% - In-class assessment (written and/or oral format)
20% - Language skills Essay (1500 words)
40% - Final Exam
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| 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 |
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| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 3:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain complex features of biblical Hebrew grammar and syntax.
- Accurately parse regular and irregular forms of the verb in all conjugations.
- Understand a wide range of biblical Hebrew vocabulary.
- Translate varied biblical Hebrew texts into English, including 'unseen' texts.
- Use biblical Hebrew to exegete texts from the Hebrew Bible, considered in their textual, historical, and literary dimensions.
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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 |
| Keywords | biblical studies,tanak,ancient languages |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Suzanna Millar
Tel: (0131 6)50 8904
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Rachel Dutton
Tel: (0131 6)50 7227
Email: |
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