Course Syllabus

Instructor: David Pettit

Course Synopsis: 

This course is the first course of a year-long sequence designed to give students the ability to read and interpret biblical Hebrew. Such ability is essential for students who wish to understand the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. The fall and winter quarters of this course are devoted to giving the student the ability to read Hebrew at a basic level, while learning to appreciate the distinctive cultural concerns and ways of expressing these concerns in biblical prose and poetry. These quarters will include a survey of Hebrew grammar and the development of a basic Hebrew vocabulary. The spring quarter will primarily be devoted to the reading and exegesis of Hebrew texts and will further develop the student’s vocabulary, and the student’s ability to read, interpret and understand Hebrew grammar.

 

Required Texts:

Hackett, Jo Ann. A Basic Introduction to Biblical Hebrew. Har/Cdr Bl edition. Peabody, Mass: Hendrickson Publishers, 2010.

Brown, Driver, and Briggs. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Hendrickson.

Other Texts that will become necessary in Winter and Spring quarters:

Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS). Edited by Gerhard Weil, 1977.

Recommended Texts:

Waltke, Bruce K., and M. O’Connor. An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. Winona Lake, Ind: Eisenbrauns, 1990.

Benjamin, Don C., and Victor H. Matthews. Social World of Ancient Israel: 1250-587 BCE. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2005.

 King, Philip J., and Lawrence E. Stager. Life in Biblical Israel. 1 edition. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002.

 

Weekly Rhythm

Learning a language requires regular engagement. The in-class model for Hebrew that Iliff has used in the past involved being in-class four days a week. We have the benefit of not having to face rush hour traffic every afternoon, but establishing a rhythm of regular engagement will be crucial to our moving through the material, and for your improvement in understanding and reading Hebrew.

I have designed our weekly rhythm based partly on that past precedent and partly on Justin Barber’s Greek course which he taught this past year, and which a number of you participated in, I understand. So there will be two cycles of engagement each week. A chapter and/or exercises due by Tuesday/Wednesday and a second set on Friday nt/Saturday morning. I will also be offering google hangout sessions as a venue to interact around questions, go over exercises, and read Hebrew together.

The following is what you can expect:

The first set of assignments due by the google hangout time, either Tuesday nt. or Wednesday morning.

The second set each week due by a Friday nt or Sat morning google hangout.

We will touch base on the google hangout schedule, as I want it to be accessible for as many as possible, recognizing that it may not work for all given the limits of scheduling.

 For each chapter:

  • Watch the videos/lectures that the instructor posts
  • Read the chapter in Hackett.
  • Do the exercises in Hackett.
  • Practice learning the vocabulary for that chapter for at least 20 minutes a day for 2 or 3 days.
  • Make notes for yourself; write down questions and points of confusion
  • Either join the google hangout to go over exercises and/or read together, or video yourself reading and translating exercises for five minutes and post to Canvas under that particular assignment.

 

Getting ready for the start of the Quarter:

On Monday of the first week of the quarter I would like you to post a short (3 minute or so) video introducing yourself. Tell us the following:

Who are you?

            What makes you tick?

            What is your vocation and what are your vocation goals?

            Where do you live?

            Why Hebrew? What are you excited about, or have trepidation about?

 In the meantime, I encourage you to start learning, getting familiar, and practice writing out the alphabet. I have posted a video where I go over the alphabet and offer an alphabet song that has always helped me, and which may be a helpful memory device for you.

I look forward to our year learning Hebrew together. See you in a month!

 

Goals and Objectives

Requirements and Evaluation

Policies And Services

Course Summary:

Date Details Due