Undergraduate Course: Intermediate Biblical Hebrew (Honours) (DIVI10103)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
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
Students have three 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 and revision activities provide students a useful way to track their progress.
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 4 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 33,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
163 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
0 %,
Practical Exam
40 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
40% in-class assessment (15-min learning conversation)«br /»
60% final exam - 2 hrs (in person 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 or homework assignments. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Intermediate Biblical Hebrew (Honours) | 2:120 | |
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
| 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. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
curiosity for learning
self-discipline and self-direction
ability to read and analyse texts in biblical Hebrew
ability to engage critically with the meaning of ancient texts and recognise that meanings may be multiple
capacity to offer a critical reading of biblical Hebrew texts, based on grammatical features and an understanding of the world behind the texts |
| Keywords | Hebrew Bible,biblical language,grammar,translation |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Peter Atkins
Tel:
Email: peter.atkins@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Olga Szekrenyes
Tel:
Email: oszekren@ed.ac.uk |
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