Minor in Hebrew Language, Literature, and Culture
The minor in Hebrew Language, Literature, and Culture aims to bring students to an advanced level of proficiency in Hebrew and offer a strong background in Hebrew culture and literature.
Students in the Hebrew Language, Literature, and Culture program are coming from various Hebrew language backgrounds and are seeking to test how well they function and their level of competence. The Hebrew minor will make it possible to receive acknowledgment for their past experience knowledge through their current academic Hebrew coursework.
The minor in Hebrew Language, Literature, and Culture will encourage students to pursue more courses to improve their receptive skills: listening, reading and their productive skills: speaking and writing in the language. This will help to prepare them for a potential future career in the field of teaching Hebrew as a second language acquisition.
Courses are taught by faculty whose fields of specialization include biblical studies, post-biblical, Rabbinic, and medieval Hebrew literature, modern Hebrew literature and culture, and Hebrew language. Students who are unsure which level of Hebrew to take may review the Registrar's undergraduate registration information on placement testing.
Why Brandeis?
Housed in the Near East Judaic Studies Department (NEJS), the Hebrew Program is inherently interdisciplinary. We encourage students to explore Hebrew language, literature and culture through a variety of lenses including history, literature, theater, film, business, modern Israel today, as well as Jewish culture. Brandeis University continues to be a world-renowned hub of Jewish learning, and through its connection to NEJS as well as visiting professionals, the Hebrew Program stands prominent and popular among students.
Our program attracts students with varying levels of experience from beginners with no background to those with some or more training in the Hebrew language. Students are able to take courses to achieve proficiency across all language skills to fulfill departmental and university language requirements as well as go beyond and take elective courses, taught in Hebrew, in a wide range of topics. The program offers a structured pathway for students passionate about Hebrew and Israel to focus their studies and explore careers in teaching Hebrew and working in a variety of fields in Israel. The program also offers fellowships that give students the opportunity to work in fields of their choosing while continuing to enhance their Hebrew proficiency.
Over the years, our program has made significant contributions to the teaching and learning of Hebrew. For example, the publication of "Hebrew in Context," a textbook developed by program faculty, has been widely used. We also now offer online summer courses enhancing the broader community’s access to Hebrew language and culture. Brandeis also focuses on professional development for Hebrew instructors to ensure students are getting faculty who are current and continually supported.
Academics and Research
Careers and Graduate Study
“(The Hebrew professors) genuinely care about the wellbeing of their students. They work with their students to develop a learning plan that best suits the individual and provide many additional resources beyond the classroom.”
Erin C.