Unit information: Elementary Biblical Hebrew (Trinity & Baptist College) in 2013/14

Unit name	Elementary Biblical Hebrew (Trinity & Baptist College)
Unit code	THRS20153
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Professor. D'Costa
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The unit provides the groundwork for the use of the Old Testament in Hebrew. Beginning with script and phonology, the students move on to morphology and syntax, illustrated by the reading of selected narrative texts. pre-requisite basic linguistic abilities.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The unit aims to:

1. give students a good foundation in the basic grammar and syntax of biblical Hebrew;
2. build on, and consolidate, this foundation by the study of some biblical Hebrew narrative texts;
3. introduce students to the sources available for the study and exegesis of biblical Hebrew texts.

On completion of the unit students should have:

1. acquired a good grounding in the grammatical and syntactical principles of Hebrew narrative;
2. gained sufficient understanding of the language to draw on Hebrew-based resources for the exegesis of Old Testament texts;
3. begun to appreciate the poetics of Hebrew narrative.

Teaching Information

The module will consist of 30 class sessions. Formal instruction using a textbook leads to, and is interspersed with, the guided reading of set texts. Preparation and participation by the students will be an important feature of the latter activity. Weekly grammatical or translation exercises will help to consolidate learning and evaluate the students' progress.

The unit will consist of 30 contact hours in total: 2 hours per week over 15 weeks.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment will be through participation in classes.

Summative assessment will be through two tests (50% each), in grammar and translation, one during the unit and one at its conclusion.

Reading and References

1. Bergman, N., The Cambridge Biblical Hebrew Workbook (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005)
2. http://www.basicsofbiblicalhebrew.com