Hebrew Courses

Brandeis University Bulletin Hebrew courses 

HBRW 10a, Beginning Hebrew

For students with no previous knowledge and those with a minimal background. Intensive training in the basics of Hebrew grammar, listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Professor Aliza Brosh

HBRW 19a, Beginning Hebrew: Honors

A beginner course for those students with some previous exposure to Hebrew. Builds upon the initial exposure, continuing to teach the basics of grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing. Usually offered every fall. Four class hours per week with additional half an hour to practice speaking skills. Professor Esther Shorr

HBRW 20b, Intermediate Hebrew

Continuation of HBRW 10a, employing the same methods. Intensive training in Hebrew grammar, listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Prerequisite: HBRW 10a or the equivalent as determined by placement examination. Professor Guy Antebi or Esther Shorr

HBRW 34a, Intermediate Hebrew II: Aspects of Israeli Culture

Continuation of HBRW 20b. A beginner- intermediate level course that helps students strengthen their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Contemporary cultural aspects will be stressed and a variety of materials will be used. Prerequisite: Any 20-level Hebrew course or the equivalent as determined by placement examination. Professor Guy Antebi

HBRW 35a, Conversation and Writing Skills for Heritage Learners
A beginner-intermediate level course designed to improve the reading, writing, and linguistic skills of students who have been raised in a Hebrew speaking environment. Prerequisite: HBRW 20b or the equivalent as determined by placement examination. Four class hours per week with additional half an hour to practice speaking skills. Usually offered every year in the fall.
HBRW 41a, Intensive Conversations about Israeli Culture
An Advanced Intermediate Hebrew course for students who have acquired an intermediate level of Hebrew and who wish to develop greater fluency in conversation with emphasis on aspects of Israeli Culture. Four class hours per week with additional half an hour to practice speaking skills. Usually offered every second year. Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or the equivalent. Professor Guy Antebi
HBRW 44b, Advanced Intermediate Hebrew: Israeli Culture and Media

Reinforces the acquired skills of speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing at the intermediate level. Contemporary cultural aspects are stressed; conversational Hebrew and reading of selections from modern literature. Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or the equivalent. Professor Guy Antebi

HBRW 97a or b, Senior Essay & HBRW 98 a or b, Independent Study

Usually offered every semester. For more information, email: hebrew@brandeis.edu

HBRW 121a, Let's Converse in Hebrew 1 - Life Challenges and Post Trauma of an Israeli Family through a TV Series

An advanced-intermediate conversation course for students who wish to improve their speaking skills. Role playing, vocabulary building, and guided speaking activities develop conversational skills for various situations. Reading and discussion of contemporary texts, based on the popular Israeli TV series, "Yellow Peppers", assist in vocabulary building. Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor. Professor Sara Hascal

HBRW 121b, Life Challenges of an Israeli Family through a TV Series

An advanced-intermediate conversation course for students who wish to improve their speaking skills. Role playing, vocabulary building, and guided speaking activities develop conversational skills for various situations. Reading and discussion of contemporary texts, based on the popular Israeli TV series, "Yellow Peppers", assist in vocabulary building. Usually offered every second year. Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor. Professor Sara Hascal

HBRW 124a, Hebrew for Business, Doing Business in Start-Up Nation

Provides students with tools and competence to deal with the Israeli business community. For advanced-intermediate Hebrew students who wish to gain cultural understanding and business language speaking skills. Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor. Does not meet the requirement in the school of humanities. Professor Sara Hascal

HBRW 144a, Plays and Drama in Israeli Society

Focuses on improving Hebrew language skills at the advanced-intermediate level through critical reading and analysis of authentic and contemporary Israeli short plays and studying the comparison between plays in Israel and those in the U.S. The course will examine theories in aspects of drama and implement drama techniques including improvisation, movement, and creative expression. The course readings cover topics such as social diversity and justice as well as human rights and awareness of world identities. The course culminates in the writing of an original scene or one-act play in Hebrew. Usually offered every second year. Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor. Professor Sara Hascal

HBRW 146a, The Voices of Jerusalem

For advanced-intermediate students who wish to enhance their language proficiency and work toward improving fluency and communication through analysis of selected materials covering literature, poetry, history, politics, and art that depict the unique tradition and culture of Jerusalem. Usually offered every fall. Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor. Professor Sara Hascal

HBRW 152b, Arabic-Speaking Communities in Israel

Examines the cultures and institutions of ethnic minorities in Israel. By examining and discussing the cultural characteristics and political activism of non-Jewish communities in Israel, this course exposes students to various faces of Israeli society, and to its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural identity. Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor.

HBRW 161b, What's Up in Israel Today? Diverse Perspectives in Film and Media

In this course, Israeli films, media, TV shows (e.g., Srugim ), and online resources will be used to promote discussion, enhance oral communication skills, and also broaden cultural awareness and understanding of diverse societal perspectives. Usually offered every second year. Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor. Professor Sara Hascal

HBRW 164b, Israeli Theater

An advanced-intermediate course that promotes language skills through the reading and analysis of plays. The student's creativity is developed through participation in acting and creative writing assignments. Usually offered every second year. Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor. Professor Sara Hascal

HBRW 167b, The Sleeping Beauty: The Revival of Modern Hebrew

An advanced course that surveys the origins of the Hebrew language and its development throughout the centuries, focusing on its major stages (biblical, rabbinic, medieval, and modern). Explores the unique phenomenon of its revival as a spoken language and its adaptation to the modern world. Usually offered every second year. Prerequisite: Any 40-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor. 

HBRW 170a, Take I: Israeli Cinema

Introduces students to various aspects of Israeli society as portrayed in Israeli films and television. In addition to viewing films, students will be asked to read Hebrew background materials, to participate in class discussions, and to write review and criticism about the films. The course prepares students to deepen their analytical skills in order to gain broader understanding and intercultural knowledge as well as transform their personal and global thinking. Usually offered every second year. Prerequisite: Any 40-level Hebrew course or permission of the instructor. 

HBRW 301a or b, Hebrew Practicum or HBRW 303a, Readings in Assessing the Learning and Teaching of Hebrew

These courses are primarily for graduate students only. For more information, email: hebrew@brandeis.edu