Winter 2015/Pasadena

LG502

Thomas

LG502: BEGINNING HEBREW (8 Units: 320 Hours). Matthew A. Thomas.

DESCRIPTION: This course provides an introduction to biblical Hebrew. Students will gain a basic understanding of the vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of biblical Hebrew and begin developing translation skills necessary for biblical exegesis.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completing this course, the student will demonstrate the ability to (1) read aloud from the Hebrew Bible; (2) write legibly in a standard Hebrew script; (3) recognize and use high-frequency vocabulary of biblical Hebrew; (4) identify basic word forms, grammatical structures, and syntax; (5) translate short passages from the Hebrew Bible using a standard lexicon and other tools.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets twice weekly for four-hour sessions. Class time will consist of lecture, reading, and translating from the Hebrew Bible, translation exercises, quizzes, and tests. Attendance is very important for successfully completing this course and towards acquiring the skill of reading biblical Hebrew. Students should expect to spend at least two hours of outside preparation/homework for every hour of class time.

REQUIRED READING: 453 pp. required.

Brown, F., S. R. Driver, and C. A. Briggs. A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, with an appendix, containing the Biblical Aramaic. Hendrickson, 1996 [1906]. ISBN: 978-1565632066, Pub. Price $34.95. [used for homework and in-class assessments].

Elliger, K., and W. Rudolph. Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. 5th ed. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1997. ISBN: 978-3438052223, Pub. Price $39.99. [used for homework].

Green, Jennifer S., G. Brooke Lester, and Joseph F. Scrivner. Handbook to A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Nashville: Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687008346, Pub. Price $16.00. [120 pp. assigned].

Seow, C. L. A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Revised Edition. Abingdon, 1995. ISBN: 978-0687157860, Pub. Price $40.00. [333 pp. assigned].

See the Biblical Division bibliography “Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs” available in the Academic Advising office.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Attendance and Participation (5%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-5]. [80 hours].

  2. 453 pages of assigned reading + use of Hebrew text and lexicon. [50 hours].

  3. Homework (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 4, and 5]. [100 hours].

  4. Hebrew Text Presentation (5%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 4, and 5]. [5 hours].

  5. Quizzes (Vocabulary and Grammar) (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3, 4, and 5]. [50 hours].

  6. Two Tests (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 3, 4, and 5]. [20 hours].

  7. FINAL exam (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 3, 4, and 5]. [15 hours].

PREREQUISITES: Good standing. No audits.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the MDiv core requirement in Hebrew (HEB). Required in the Biblical Languages emphasis.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.