Beginning Classical Hebrew for Postgraduates TRS5119

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Critical Studies
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Runs Throughout Semesters 1 and 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: No

Short Description

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.

Timetable

3 x 1 hour session per week over 20 weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

2 hours of individual project supervision: 4 x 30-minute supervisions, arranged individually.

Requirements of Entry

Available to all students on MTh in Biblical Interpretation programme and other level 5 programmes across the university.

Excluded Courses

TRS1005 Classical Hebrew Language

TRS4061 Introductory Classical Hebrew for Honours

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Short homework exercises consisting of language manipulation or translation (best 8 results will be averaged) - 10%

Project (2,000 words) - 40%

Examination (90 minutes duration) - 50%

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims 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

■ enable students to reflect upon the value of reading the Hebrew Bible in Hebrew as opposed to a translation

■ equip students to translated basic texts from the Hebrew Bible into English

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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 commentary on their translation decisions;

■ explain 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;

■ translate basic texts from the Hebrew Bible into English.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

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