Course Catalogue

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This course will introduce those with very little or no previous knowledge of Hebrew to the forms and structure of the language of the Hebrew Bible, enabling them to read selected passages of scripture and to explore the value of being able to do so.

3x1hr session per week over 20 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus. 2 hours of individual project supervision TBA.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Theology and Religious Studies, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

TRS1005 TRS 1 : Classical Hebrew Language

TRS4046 Classical Hebrew for Honours

None

Short homework exercises consisting of language manipulation or translation - best 15 of these will be averaged - 10%

Project (2,500 words) - 40%

Examination (90 minutes duration) - 50%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ introduce students to key concepts in the study of Hebrew language

■ familiarise students with the basic features of the forms and structure of Hebrew as used in the Hebrew Bible

■ equip students with a basic Hebrew vocabulary targeted at reading the Hebrew Bible

■ encourage students to reflect upon the value of an ability to read the Hebrew Bible in Hebrew.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ read and understand basic Classical Hebrew by translating an agreed passage of the Hebrew Bible into English with comment on why they have chosen to translate as they do;

■ reflect critically upon the insights they gain from reading the Hebrew Bible in Hebrew as opposed to in translation;

■ critically analyse how the process of translating enhances their understanding of the text;

■ analyse and evaluate the social, historical, theological, gendered, political and literary aspects of issues involved with reading and translating texts from the Hebrew Bible.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.