Unit information: Further Biblical Hebrew and Exegesis (Trinity and Baptist College) in 2013/14

Unit name	Further Biblical Hebrew and Exegesis (Trinity and Baptist College)
Unit code	THRSM0092
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Reverend Dr. Knut Heim
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	L22001 Elementary Biblical Hebrew or L44001 Biblical Hebrew and Exegesis
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The unit consists of the reading, translation and exegesis of Hebrew texts in class, including both narrative and poetry. Attention will be paid to elements of style as well as syntax and morphology.

Classroom interactions will respond to students questions arising from their encounter with the texts in preparing their own translations (Enquiry-based Learning) and will respond to problems that students have encountered in the classroom discussions (Problem-based Learning), with a particular focus on aspects of Hebrew language and grammar that will enhance a reading and understanding of the Hebrew Bible. Where necessary this will include a review of aspects of grammar that have not been covered, but the emphasis will be on an exploration of selected topics that inform interpretation of the texts. Students will also be alerted to the significance of textual criticism of the Hebrew Bible, and the theory and practice of translation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the unit students should be able to:

• parse the full range of verbal and nominal forms;
• read simple prose and poetic texts with the help of a lexicon;
• analyse the distinctive features of biblical prose and poetry;
• recognize the key linguistic issues underlying differences in translation and interpretation;
• present a Hebrew text in class, with appropriate comment and explanation;
• articulate the significance of textual criticism in relation to a Hebrew biblical text.

Teaching Information

The grammar classes will involve lectures and discussions of set topics covering the grammar and syntax of Hebrew nouns, adjectives and verbs, illustrated by specific texts from the Hebrew Bible. The set Hebrew texts will be read and discussed in class. Students will need to prepare the text and will be asked to translate, parse and contribute to the exploration of wider aspects of interpretation. The attention of students will be drawn to aspects of narrative style, and the special characteristics of biblical poetry (e.g. parallelism, use of imagery and metaphor, ambiguity).

Assessment Information

Please state the methods used for formative and summative assessment, including essay word length, length and type of exams, projects, etc. The relative contributions of the different summative assessments to the overall unit mark should also be included, e.g. 3-hour written exam (60%), 2000 word essay (40%)

Reading and References

• Arnold, B.T., & Choi, J.N., A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax (Cambridge: CUP, 2003).
• Gesenius, W., Kautzsch, W., and Cowley. A. E., Hebrew Grammar. 2nd ed. (Oxford: OUP, 1910).
• Groom, S.A., Linguistic Analysis of Biblical Hebrew. (Carlisle: Paternoster Press, 2003).
• Waltke, B.K. and O'Connor, M., An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. (Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 1990).
• Wegner, Paul D., A Student's Guide to Textual Criticism of the Bible (Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Academic/InterVarsity Press, 2006).
• Jo�on, P. and Takamitsu M., A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew (Roma: Editrice Pontificio Istituto Biblico, 2003).