Hebrew (HEBR)
HEBR 0100 Elementary Modern Hebrew I
An introduction to the skills of reading, writing, and conversing in modern Hebrew. This course assumes no previous knowledge of Hebrew. A grade of B- or higher is needed to continue in the language.
Fall or Spring
Also Offered As: JWST 0100
1 Course Unit
HEBR 0200 Elementary Modern Hebrew II
A continuation of first semester Elementary Modern Hebrew, which assumes basic skills of reading and speaking and the use of the present tense. Open to all students who have completed one semester of Hebrew at Penn with a grade of B- or above and new students with equivalent competency.
Fall or Spring
Also Offered As: JWST 0200
Prerequisite: HEBR 0100
1 Course Unit
HEBR 0250 Elementary Biblical Hebrew II
A continued introduction to the grammar of Biblical Hebrew, focusing on the verbal system, with an emphasis on developing language skills in handling Biblical texts. A suitable entry point for students who have had some Modern Hebrew.
Spring
Also Offered As: JWST 0250
Prerequisite: HEBR 0150
1 Course Unit
HEBR 0300 Intermediate Modern Hebrew III
Development of the skills of reading, writing, and conversing in modern Hebrew on an intermediate level. Open to all students who have completed two semesters of Hebrew at Penn with a grade of B- or above and new students with equivalent competency.
Fall or Spring
Also Offered As: JWST 0300
Prerequisite: HEBR 0200
1 Course Unit
HEBR 0350 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I
This course will focus on using the grammar and vocabulary learned at the introductory level to enable students to read Biblical texts independently and take advanced Bible exegesis courses. We will also work on getting comfortable with the standard dictionaries, concordances, and grammars used by scholars of the Bible. We will concentrate on prose this semester, closely reading Ruth, Jonah, and other prose selections. We will begin to translate from English into Biblical Hebrew, and there will also be a unit on the punctuation marks used in the Bible. This is a suitable entry point for students who already have strong Hebrew skills.
Fall
Also Offered As: JWST 0350
Prerequisite: HEBR 0250
1 Course Unit
HEBR 0400 Intermediate Modern Hebrew IV
This course constitutes the final semester of Intermediate Modern Hebrew. Hence, one of the main goals of the course is to prepare the students for the proficiency exam in Hebrew. Emphasis will be placed on grammar skills and ability to read literary texts. Open to all students who have completed three semesters of Hebrew at Penn with a grade of B- or above and new students with equivalent competency.
Fall or Spring
Also Offered As: JWST 0400
Prerequisite: HEBR 0300
1 Course Unit
HEBR 0450 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II
This course is a continuation of the fall semester's Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I. No one will be admitted into the course who has not taken the fall semester. It will continue to focus on using the grammar and vocabulary learned at the introductory level to enable students to read biblical texts independently and take advanced Bible exegesis courses. We will concentrate this semester on various selections of Biblical poetry, including Exodus 15 and Job 28. We will also continue to translate English prose into Biblical Hebrew.
Spring
Also Offered As: JWST 0450
Prerequisite: HEBR 0350
1 Course Unit
HEBR 1000 Advanced Modern Hebrew: Conversation & Writing
In this course students are introduced to the vibrant world of contemporary Israeli culture by reading some of the best plays, poems, short stories and journalism published in Israel today. They also watch and analyze some of Israel's most popular films, TV programs, and videos. Themes include Jewish-Arab relations, the founding of the State, family ties and intergenerational conflict, war and society, and the recent dynamic changes in Israel society. Students must have taken four semesters of Hebrew at Penn or permission of instructor. Since the content of this course may change from year to year, students may take it more than once (but only once for credit).
Fall or Spring
Also Offered As: JWST 1000
Prerequisite: HEBR 0400
1 Course Unit
HEBR 4000 Rabbinic Writers on Rabbinic Culture
This course traces reflections on rabbinic culture produced within Jewish legal literature of the classic rabbinic period - - Midrash, Mishna, and Talmud - - and in later juridical genres - - Talmudic commentary, codes and responses. Attention will be paid to the mechanics of different genres, the role of the underlying proof text, the inclusion or exclusion of variant opinions, the presence of non-legal information, the balance between precedent and innovation. Reading knowledge of Hebrew is required.
Not Offered Every Year
Also Offered As: JWST 4000, RELS 4300
1 Course Unit
HEBR 5100 Elementary Modern Hebrew I
An introduction to the skills of reading, writing, and conversing in modern Hebrew. This course assumes no previous knowledge of Hebrew. A grade of B- or higher is needed to proceed to the next level.
Fall or Spring
1 Course Unit
HEBR 5200 Elementary Modern Hebrew II
A continuation of Elementary Modern Hebrew I, which assumes basic skills of reading and speaking and the use of the present tense. Open to all students who have completed one semester of Hebrew at Penn with a grade of B- or above and new students with equivalent competency.
Prerequisite: HEBR 5100
1 Course Unit
HEBR 5250 Elementary Biblical Hebrew II
A continued introduction to the grammar of Biblical Hebrew, focusing on the verbal system, with an emphasis on developing language skills in handling Biblical texts. A suitable entry point for students who have had some Modern Hebrew. Prerequisite: If course requirement not met, permission of instructor required.
Spring
Prerequisite: HEBR 5150
1 Course Unit
HEBR 5300 Intermediate Modern Hebrew III
Development of the skills of reading, writing, and conversing in modern Hebrew on an intermediate level. Open to all students who have completed two semesters of Hebrew at Penn with a grade of B- or above and new students with equivalent competency.
Fall or Spring
Prerequisite: HEBR 5200
1 Course Unit
HEBR 5350 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I
This course will focus on using the grammar and vocabulary learned at the introductory level to enable students to read Biblical texts independently and take advanced Bible exegesis courses. We will also work on getting comfortable with the standard dictionaries, concordances, and grammars used by scholars of the Bible. We will concentrate on prose this semester, closely reading Ruth, Jonah, and other prose selections. We will begin to translate from English into Biblical Hebrew, and there will also be a unit on the punctuation marks used in the Bible. This is a suitable entry point for students who already have strong Hebrew skills.
Fall
Prerequisite: HEBR 0250
1 Course Unit
HEBR 5400 Intermediate Modern Hebrew IV
This course constitutes the final semester of Intermediate Modern Hebrew. Hence, one of the main goals of the course is to prepare the students for the proficiency exam in Hebrew. Emphasis will be placed on grammar skills and ability to read literary texts. Open to all students who have completed three semesters of Hebrew at Penn with a grade of B- or above and new students with equivalent competency.
Fall or Spring
Prerequisite: HEBR 5300
1 Course Unit
HEBR 5450 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II
This course is a continuation of the fall semester's Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I. No one will be admitted into the course who has not taken the fall semester. It will continue to focus on using the grammar and vocabulary learned at the introductory level to enable students to read biblical texts independently and take advanced Bible exegesis courses. We will concentrate this semester on various selections of Biblical poetry, including Exodus 15 and Job 28. We will also continue to translate English prose into Biblical Hebrew.
Spring
Prerequisite: HEBR 0350
1 Course Unit
HEBR 6000 Advanced Modern Hebrew: Conversation & Writing
After four semesters of language study, it's time to enter the vibrant world of contemporary Israeli culture. In this course students read some of the best plays, poems, short stories, and journalism published in Israel today. They also watch and analyze some of Israel's most popular films, TV programs, and videos. Themes include Jewish-Arab relations, the founding of the State, family ties and intergenerational conflict, war and society, and the recent dynamic changes in Israel society. HEBR 054 or permission of instructor. Since the content of this course may change from year to year, students may take it more than once (but only once for credit).
Fall or Spring
Prerequisite: HEBR 0400
1 Course Unit
HEBR 6100 Seminar in Rabbinic Literature
Most of the foundational writings of rabbinic Judaism corpora of Midrash, Mishna, and the two Talmuds were in existence by the end of the sixth century CE. Yet, for several centuries thereafter, there is little evidence attesting to the lived nature of rabbinic culture and society. Course will focus on writings by Jews and about Jews, produced between the 7th and 10th centuries, complemented by secondary sources. Texts will include selections from archaeological inscriptions; Midrash; liturgical poetry; Targum; Masora; geonic responsa, writings by Muslims and by Church Fathers. While students must be able to read Hebrew, much class time will be devoted to the improvement of reading and comprehension skills. Undergraduates should seek permission of the instructor.
Spring
Also Offered As: JWST 5300, NELC 5300
1 Course Unit
HEBR 6200 Studies in Medieval Jewish Culture
Through close reading of primary sources in the original Hebrew, participants in this seminar will explore historical circumstances that engaged and shaped medieval Jews in both Christian and Muslim lands, along with the enduring cultural projects that Jews themselves produced. Topics will include Geonica, Karaism, the encounter of Reason and Revelation; the Christian “Other”: the Muslim “Other”; legal codification; the Tosafist project; Rhineland Pietism; Minhag (custom); family life; the aesthetic dimension; Kabbalah; conversos; messianism. Students should be able to comfortably read unpointed Hebrew.
Fall
Also Offered As: JWST 6200, RELS 6200
1 Course Unit
HEBR 9999 Independent Study
An independent study in Hebrew language for PhD students
1 Course Unit