Visiting Instructor: Nathan Devir (Modern Hebrew); See Classics Department for instructors of Classical Hebrew.
At Middlebury students can pursue a range of Hebrew study, from the Hebrew Bible and the texts of the Jewish tradition to the spoken and written language of contemporary Israel.
Students whose goal is access to the foundational texts of Jewish tradition and culture should enroll in the courses in Classical Hebrew offered through the Classics Department.
Students whose goal is conversational ability and facility with Modern Hebrew literature should enroll in Modern Hebrew.
Students with questions about placement or about the classical and modern tracks should contact Professors Devir or Schine. For the major in Classics and the Minor in Hebrew Studies, please refer to the Classics or Classical Studies programs. See also the Interdisciplinary Program Minor in Jewish Studies.
Classical Hebrew
HEBR/CLAS 0101 Beginning Classical Hebrew I (Not offered 2008-09)
See Classics Department for course description. LNG
HEBR/CLAS 0102 Beginning Classical Hebrew II (Not offered 2008-09)
See Classics Department for course description. LNG
HEBR/CLAS 0201 Intermediate Hebrew: Bible (Fall)
See Classics Department for course description. LNG (R. Schine)
HEBR/CLAS 0202 Intermediate Hebrew: Classical (Spring)
See Classics Department for course description. LNG PHL (R. Schine)
HEBR/CLAS 0301 Readings in Classical Hebrew I (Not offered 2008-09)
See Classics Department for course description. LNG LIT
HEBR/CLAS 0302 Readings in Classical Hebrew II (Not offered 2008-09)
See Classics Department for course description. LNG LIT
HEBR/CLAS 0401 Advanced Readings in Classical Hebrew I (Fall)
See Classics Department for course description. (R. Schine)
HEBR/CLAS 0402 Advanced Readings in Classical Hebrew II (Spring)
See Classics Department for course description. (R. Schine)
Modern Hebrew
HEBM 0101 Introductory Modern Hebrew I (Fall)
In this course students will become acquainted with the basic grammatical and formal concepts necessary for the comprehension of the Modern Hebrew language. We will focus on the fundamentals of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with a particular emphasis placed on the acquisition of conversational ability. We will also make use of audiovisual, situational, and cultural exercises, and give attention to the elements of Classical form and style that provided a foundation for Modern Hebrew, which was revived as a vernacular in the late 19th century. No previous knowledge of Hebrew is required. 6 hrs. LNG (N. Devir)
HEBM 0103 Introductory Modern Hebrew III (Spring)
This course is a continuation of Modern Hebrew 0102 which will be offered during winter term. Students will further develop their skills in written and oral communication, and will expand their knowledge of the cultures of modern Israel through both audio and visual media. (HEBM 0102 or equivalent) 5 hrs. lect. LNG (N. Devir)
HEBM 0220 Modern Hebrew Culture in Translation (Spring)
This course serves as an introduction to the diverse genres and movements of cultural production in Hebrew, covering roughly the last one hundred years. We will explore a broad selection of poetry, fiction, film, music, and theatre originally intended for Hebrew-speaking audiences, including works composed in Israel (or pre-1948, from British-mandated Palestine) and elsewhere. In translation, we will study works by Yehuda Amichai, Maya Arad, H.N. Bialik, Sayed Kashua, Etgar Keret, Atallah Mansour, Amos Oz, Dalia Ravikovitch, Anton Shammas, A.B. Yehoshua, and others. Particular emphasis will be placed on the themes of modernity, political expression, and aesthetics. LIT (N. Devir)
HEBM 0221 Readings in Modern Hebrew (Fall)
This course is intended for students who have studied at least one year of college-level Hebrew or its equivalent. The selection of primary source materials (dating from the late 19th century until the present) includes texts dealing with both secular and religious Jewish cultures, the literature and films of modern-day Israel, Israeli history, and current events. Students will expand their knowledge of Hebrew vocabulary and grammar, acquire intermediate-level communicative competence, and develop skills necessary for formal Hebrew composition. Prior to the start of class, students are encouraged to read Edward Horowitz's How the Hebrew Language Grew. LIT LNG (N. Devir)