Hebrew Language Courses (HEBR)

051. (HEBR651, JWST051) Elementary Modern Hebrew I. (C) Staff. An introduction to the skills of reading, writing, and conversing in modern Hebrew. This course assumes no previous knowledge of Hebrew.

052. (HEBR652, JWST052) Elementary Modern Hebrew II. (C) Staff. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 051 or permission of instructor. A continuation of HEBR 051, First Year 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.

053. (HEBR653, JWST053) Intermediate Modern Hebrew III. (C) Staff. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 052 or permission of the instructor. 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.

054. (HEBR654, JWST054) Intermediate Modern Hebrew IV. (C) Staff. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 053 or permission of instructor. 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.

059. (HEBR552, JWST059) Advanced Modern Hebrew: Reading and Composition. (E) Engel. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 054 or permission of instructor. Reading and discussion of contemporary Israeli journalism and imaginative writing and development of conversation skills, accompanied by visual material from films and the internet. Students will be expected to give a classroom presentation and to write short essays.

151. (HEBR451, JWST171, JWST471) Elementary Biblical Hebrew I. (A) Carasik. This course is an introduction to Biblical Hebrew. It assumes no prior knowledge, but students who can begin to acquire a reading knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet before class starts will find it extremely helpful. The course is the 1st of a 4-semester sequence whose purpose is to prepare students to take courses in Bible that demand a familiarity with the original language of the text.

152. (HEBR452, JWST172, JWST472) Elementary Biblical Hebrew II. (B) Carasik. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of HEBR 151 or permission of the instructor. 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.

153. (HEBR453, JWST173, JWST473) Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I. (A) Carasik. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of HEBR 152 or permission of the instructor. This course is the prerequisite for HEBR 154 (no one is "permitted" into that semester; you must take the previous semester course).

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.

154. (HEBR454, JWST174, JWST474) Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II. (B) Carasik. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of HEBR 153. 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.

250. (COML228, JWST256, RELS220) Studies in the Hebrew Bible. (B) May be counted as a General Requirement Course in Arts & Letters. Class of 2009 & prior only. Tigay. This course introduces students to the methods and resources used in the modern study of the Bible. To the extent possible, these methods will be illustrated as they apply to a single book of the Hebrew Bible that will serve as the main focus of the course.

The course is designed for undergraduates who have previously studied the Bible in Hebrew either in high school or college. It presupposes fluency in reading and translating Bibical Hebrew and a working knowledge of Biblical Hebrew grammar.

SM 257. (HEBR557, JWST257, RELS226) Studies in Rabbinic Literature. (D) May be counted as a General Requirement Course in Arts & Letters. Class of 2009 & prior only. Stern. Prerequisite(s): Students must be able to read an unpointed Hebrew text.

An introduction to the modern study of Rabbinic literature. Topics range from Midrash to Talmud. No previous background in Rabbinic literature is required but students must be able to read unpointed Hebrew texts.

SM 258. (FOLK258, HEBR558, JWST258, RELS228) Studies in Medieval Jewish Literature. (C) May be counted as a General Requirement Course in Arts & Letters. Class of 2009 & prior only. Stern. Prerequisite(s): Reading knowledge of Hebrew.

This course introduces students to medieval Jewish literature and to the various modern methods and critical approaches--cultural history, literary theory, codicology, the comparative history of religions--that have been developed to study the literature and its cultural meaning. Texts studied will vary from semester to semester, and will include medieval Hebrew poetry, both religious and secular, Biblical exegesis, philosophical and ethical texts, and historiographic works.

SM 259. (COLL227, COML266, HEBR559, JWST259) Introduction to Modern Hebrew Literature. (A) Arts & Letters Sector. All Classes. Gold. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 059 or equivalent. The content of this course changes from year to year; and, therefore, students may take it for credit more than once. Songs played a leading role in the process of creating the Zionist-Jewish-Israeli nathional identity. The emergence of the State of Israel, like that of the Modern Zionist movement before it, was accompanied by literary texts, many of which were put to music. (For example: Hatikva, the Israeli anthem, was orginally a Zionist poem; Gouri's poem Bab El- Wad became a secular "Prayer" sung at Israeli war memorials.) As the country evolved, so did its music, but poetry continued to be transformed into Hebrew songs. Considering the historical and political background, this course will observe the evolution of the country and the genre and show how Hebrew songs have determined and reflected the creation and development of the nation for the past hundred years. It will analyze the songs' ideological and psychological roles by exaning the lyrics and the relationship between word and melody. Works discussed will span from classics like Bialik, Alterman and Amichai to Hanoch and Idan Reichel.

The content of this course changes from year to year, thus students may take it for credit more than once.

356. (HEBR656, RELS327) Talmudic Midrashic Literature. (M) Distribution Course in Arts & Letters. Class of 2009 & prior only. Stern. Prerequisite(s): Two years of Hebrew or equivalent required. An introduction to the reading of classical Rabbinic literature. The topic will vary ranging from Talmudic to Siddur. Readings will be in Hebrew with supplemental English works.

357. (HEBR657, JWST352, JWST552) Classical Midrash & Aggadah. (D) Distribution Course in Arts & Letters. Class of 2009 & prior only. Stern. Prerequisite(s): Students must be able to read an unpointed Hebrew text. Readings in Rabbinic lore from classical Midrashic texts.

358. (HEBR658, JWST355) Siddur and Piyyut. (M) Distribution Course in Arts & Letters. Class of 2009 & prior only. Stern. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 052 (AMES 052) or equivalent. A study of the institution of Jewish prayer, its literature, and synagogu poetry. Texts will be read in Hebrew with supplementary English readings.

SM 359. (COLL227, COML359, HEBR659, JWST359, JWST556) Seminar Modern Hebrew Literature. (B) Arts & Letters Sector. All Classes. Gold. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 059 or HEBR 259 or permission of the instructor. The course focuses on the central pillars of the Modern Hebrew literary canon, and their impact on Israeli literature. The Poet Hayim Nachman Bialik (1873-1934) and the author Shmuel Yosef Agnon (1887-1970) provided future writers with the tools to express modern and post-modern sensibilities. Drawing from the ancient wells of Bible, Talmud, and Midrash, they forged a new diction for passion and love and for representing the inner world, psychological insight and political assertions. Agnon's Kafka-like short stories inspired the works of writers as different as A.B. Yehoshua and Orly Kastel-Bloom. Bialik's personal/political poems echo in Dahlia Ravikovitche's verse. We will compare the classic with the contemporary, and discuss the lasting power of these giants in the context of modern Israel. The class will be conducted in Hebrew and the texts read in the original. Grading based on five two-page response papers in Hebrew, a final exam, preparation for class and participation. The content of this course changes from year to year; therefore students may take it for credit more than once. Seminar. Fulfills Literatures of the World, Arts & Letters Sector (all classes) and Cross Cultural Analysis--Class of '10 and after. (COLL 220, HEBR 359, COML 359, JWST 556, HEBR 659

451. (HEBR151, JWST171, JWST471) Elementary Biblical Hebrew I. (A) Carasik. This course is an introduction to Biblical Hebrew. It assumes no prior knowledge, but students who can begin to acquire a reading knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet before class starts will find it extremely helpful. The course is the 1st of a 4-semester sequence whose purpose is to prepare students to take courses in Bible that demand a familiarity with the original language of the text.

452. (HEBR152, JWST172, JWST472) Elementary Biblical Hebrew II. (B) Carasik. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of HEBR 451 or permission of the instructor. 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.

453. (HEBR153, JWST173, JWST473) Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I. (A) Carasik. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of HEBR 452 or permission of the instructor. This course is the prerequisite for HEBR 454 (no one is "permitted" into that semester; you must take the previous semester course). 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.

454. (HEBR154, JWST174, JWST474) Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II. (B) Carasik. Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of HEBR 453. 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.

455. Post-Baccalaureate Hebrew Texts. (M) Staff.

SM 486. (JWST426, RELS426) Rabbinic Writers on Rabbinic Culture. (M) Fishman. Prerequisite(s): Reading knowledge of Hebrew. 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 gemres - - Talmudic commentary, codes and responsa. Attention will be paid to the mechanics of different genres, the role of the underlying prooftext, the inclusion or exclusion of variant opinions, the presence of non-legal information, attitudes toward predecessors, balance between precedent and innovation.

SM 550. (JWST550, RELS521) A Book of the Bible. (A) Tigay. Prerequisite(s): Thorough command of Biblical Hebrew and prior experience studying the Bible in the original in high school, college, or a comparable setting. Qualified undergraduates are welcome but must contact the instructor for permission to register and show how they meet the requirements. Language of instruction is in English.

In-depth study of a book of the Bible studied in the light of modern scholarship (including archaeology and ancient Near Eastern literature) as well as ancient and medieval commentaries. The book varies each semester and the course may be repeated for credit.

551. (JWST456, RELS427) Dead Sea Texts. (M) Staff. Prerequisite(s): Reading knowledge of Hebrew and ability to read unpointed texts.

552. (HEBR059, JWST059) Advanced Hebrew: Reading & Comprehension. (E) Engel. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 054 or permission of instructor. Further development of reading, writing, and speaking skills in modern Hebrew. The course is designed for students who have completed the basic language courses and passed the proficiency examination (or passed the Department's placement test at the appropriate level). The readings are based on literary texts and poetry. Special attention is given to the recurrence of biblical themes in modern Hebrew writing.

555. (JWST545) Hebrew Epigraphy. (D) Staff. Ability to read an unpointed Hebrew text and facility in the Hebrew Bible. This course is a seminar covering inscriptions in Hebrew of the Biblical period, such as the Gezer Calendar, the Arad and Lachish letters, and numerous other inscriptions. We will read these texts and examine their linguistic features, but primarily we will focus on the ways these texts are useful in Biblical studies. The historical and linguistic information we glean from these texts, and the use of this information in studying Biblical history and interpreting the Hebrew Bible will be central to the course.

SM 556. (JWST650, RELS620) Seminar in Biblical Studies. (B) Tigay. Prerequisite(s): Facility in Biblical Hebrew. May be repeated for credit. In-depth study of a special topic or issue in Biblical studies.

SM 557. (HEBR257, JWST257, RELS226) Studies in Rabbinic Literature. (D) Stern. Prerequisite(s): Students must be able to read an unpointed Hebrew text. Some background in Rabbinic literature is strongly recommended. An introduction to the modern study of Rabbinic literature. Topics range from Midrash to Talmud. No previous background in Rabbinic literature is required but students must be able to read unpointed Hebrew texts.

SM 558. (FOLK258, HEBR258, JWST258, RELS228) Studies in Medieval Jewish Literature. (C) Stern. Prerequisite(s): Undergraduates need permission from the instructor. Advanced studies in Medieval Hebrew literature. Topics range from liturgy to exegesis.

SM 559. (COLL227, COML266, HEBR259, JWST259) Introduction to Modern Hebrew Literature. (A)Gold. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 059 or equivalent. The content of this course changes from year to year; and, therefore, students may take it for credit more than once. This course is designed as a first course in Hebrew and Israeli literatures in their original forms: no re-written or reworked texts will be presented. It aims to introduce major literary works, genres and figures. Texts and discussions will be in Hebrew. Depending on the semester's focus, fiction, poetry or other forms of expression will be discussed. This course is meant to provide methods for literary interpretation through close reading of these texts. Personal, social, and political issues that find expression in the culture will also be examined. Past topics include: "Poems, Song, Nation;" Israeli Drama," "The Israeli Short Story;" Postmodernist Israeli Writing;" and "Israel through Poets' Lenses."

SM 583. (COML527, HIST523, JWST523, RELS523) Studies in Medieval Jewish Culture. (A) Fishman. Prerequisite(s): Unless otherwise noted, reading knowledge of Hebrew is required. Primary source readings from a broad array of medieval Jewish genres. Topic will vary from one semester to another, for example: custom, gender, dissent.

651. (HEBR051, JWST051) Elementary Modern Hebrew I. (C) Staff. An introduction to the skills of reading, writing, and conversing in modern Hebrew. This course assumes no previous knowledge of Hebrew.

652. (HEBR052, JWST052) Elementary Modern Hebrew II. Staff. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 651 or permission of instructor. A continuation of HEBR 051, First Year 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.

653. (HEBR053, JWST053) Intermediate Modern Hebrew III. (C) Staff. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 652 or permission of the instructor. 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.

654. (HEBR054, JWST054) Intermediate Modern Hebrew IV. (C) Staff. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 653 or permission of instructor. 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.

656. (HEBR356, RELS327) Talmudic Midrashic Literature. (M) Stern. Prerequisite(s): Two years of Hebrew or equivalent required. An introduction to the reading of classical Rabbinic literature. The topic will vary ranging from Talmudic to Siddur. Readings will be in Hebrew with supplemental English works.

657. (HEBR357, JWST352, JWST552) Classical Midrash & Aggadah. (D) Stern. Prerequisite(s): Students must be able to read an unpointed Hebrew text. Readings in Rabbinic lore from classical Midrashic texts.

658. (HEBR358, JWST355, JWST655) Siddur & Piyyut. Stern. Prerequisite(s): HEBR 054 (AMES 054) or equivalent. A study of the institution of Jewish prayer, its literature, and synagogue poetry. Texts will be read in Hebrew with supplementary English readings.

SM 659. (COML359, HEBR359, JWST359, JWST556) Seminar Modern Hebrew Literature. (M) Gold. Prerequisite(s): Near-advanced or advanced knowledge of Hebrew. The content of this course changes from year to year; and, therefore, students may take it for credit more than once.

The purpose of this seminar is to analyze Hebrew and Israeli literary texts in the original through the framework of various theoretical approaches. The course focuses on the central pillars of the Modern Hebrew literary canon, and their impact on contemporary Israeli literature. The poets H. N. Bialik (1873-1934) and S. Tchernichovsky (18751943), and the author S. Y. Agnon (1887-1934) provided future writers with the tools to express modern and post-modern sensibilities. Drawing from the ancient wells of Bible, Talmud, and Midrash, they forged a new diction for passion and love and for representing the inner world and political assertions. Bialik's poems echo in D. Ravikovitch's verse, and Tchernichobsky's haunting lilnes resurface in present-day discourse. Agnon's stories inspired the works of writers as different as A. Oz and Y. Amichai. We will discuss the lasting powers of the classics in the context of modern Israel.