Fall 2015/Sacramento

LG502A-B

Rohlfing

LG502A-B: BEGINNING HEBREW (4 units: 160 hours). Richard Rohlfing.

DESCRIPTION: This course comprises the first half of a two-quarter introduction to biblical Hebrew, with the second half offered the next quarter. Students enrolling in this course are expected to enroll in LG502B the following quarter with the same instructor (transferring between sections is not permitted).

LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this two-course sequence, the student will be able 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 once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours. 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:

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.

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

Green, Jennifer S., G. Brooke Lester, and Joseph F. Scrivner. Handbook to A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687008346, Pub. Price $16.99.

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

RECOMMENDED READING:

Long, Gary A.Grammatical Concepts 101 for Biblical Hebrew. Baker Academic, 2013. ISBN: 978-0801048746, Pub. Price $25.00.

Williams, Ronald J., and John C. Beckman. Williams Hebrew Syntax: An Outline. 3d ed. University of Toronto, 2007. ISBN: 978-0802094292, Pub. Price $28.95.

See the Biblical Division bibliography “Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs” available at http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Weekly reading and assignments in the textbook and preparation for class recitation. Students are encouraged to begin learning the Hebrew Alphabet prior to the first day of class. The simple ‘block’ printing will suffice. (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5]. [10 hours per week, for a total of 100 hours].
2. Weekly quizzes (Vocabulary and Grammar) & Hebrew Text Presentation (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5]. [20 hours, including 10 hours of Directed Learning Activities].
3. Midterm exam. (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5]. [5 hours].
4. Final exam. (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5]. [5 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None; no audits.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: The completed two quarter sequence of LG502A/B meets MDiv core requirement in Hebrew (HEB).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.