Courses of Study
Sections
Hebrew
Last updated: May 25, 2016 at 2:08 p.m.
For the undergraduate study of Hebrew Language and Literature, please see Near Eastern and Judaic Studies.
Courses of Instruction
(1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students
HBRW
10a
Beginning Hebrew
Six class hours and one additional lab hour per week.
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. Several sections will be offered. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
HBRW
19a
Beginning Hebrew: Honors
Prerequisite: Hebrew placement exam. Only one 10-level Hebrew course may be taken for credit. Six class hours and one additional lab hour per week.
A beginner course for those students with some exposure to Hebrew. Builds upon the initial exposure, continuing to teach the basics of grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and writing. Usually offered every year.
Staff
HBRW
20b
Intermediate Hebrew
Prerequisite: HBRW 10a or the equivalent as determined by placement examination. Only one 20-level Hebrew course may be taken for credit. Four class hours and one lab hour per week.
Continuation of HBRW 10a, employing the same methods. Intensive training in Hebrew grammar, listening, comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. Several sections offered every semester.
Staff
HBRW
29b
Intermediate Hebrew I: Honors
Prerequisite: HBRW 10a or the equivalent as determined by placement examination. Only one 20-level Hebrew course may be taken for credit. Four class hours and one lab hour per week.
This course is designed for honor students who wish to excel in the language. Students are admitted upon recommendation of the director of the Hebrew language program. Usually offered every year in the spring.
Staff
HBRW
34a
Intermediate Hebrew II: Aspects of Israeli Culture
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Prerequisite: Any 20-level Hebrew course or the equivalent as determined by placement examination. Four class hours and one lab hour per week.
A continuation of HBRW 20b. An intermediate- to mid-level course that helps students strengthen their skills at this level. Contemporary cultural aspects will be stressed and a variety of materials will be used. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
HBRW
35a
Conversation and Writing Skills
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Prerequisite: HBRW 20b or the equivalent as determined by placement examination. This course is recommended for students who have not previously studied Hebrew at Brandeis and have been placed at this level. Four class hours and one lab hour per week.
An intermediate-level course designed to improve the linguistic and writing skills of students who have an extensive background in the language but lack the academic skills to fulfill the language requirements or to pursue a higher level of Hebrew or Judaic studies. Usually offered every year in the fall.
Staff
HBRW
41a
Advanced Intermediate Hebrew: Intensive Conversation
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Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or the equivalent. Students may take this course and HBRW 44b for credit. Four class hours per week.
For students who have acquired an intermediate knowledge of Hebrew and who wish to develop a greater fluency in conversation. This course does not satisfy the language requirement for the NEJS major or the major in Hebrew. Usually offered every year in the fall.
Staff
HBRW
44b
Advanced Intermediate Hebrew: Israeli Culture and Media
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Prerequisite: Any 30-level Hebrew course or the equivalent. Students may not take this course and HBRW 49b for credit. Four class hours per week.
Reinforces the acquired skills of speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing at the intermediate to mid/high level. Contemporary cultural aspects are stressed; conversational Hebrew and reading of selections from modern literature, political essays, and newspaper articles. Required for NEJS majors and Hebrew majors and recommended for others who would like to continue studying Hebrew beyond the foreign language requirement. It is a prerequisite for many upper-level Hebrew courses. Usually offered every semester.
Staff
HBRW
97a
Senior Essay
Usually offered every semester.
Staff
HBRW
97b
Senior Essay
Usually offered every semester.
Staff
HBRW
98a
Independent Study
Usually offered every year in the fall.
Staff
HBRW
98b
Independent Study
Signature of the instructor required.
Usually offered every year in the spring.
Staff
HBRW
99a
Senior Thesis
Signature of the director required to enroll.
Usually offered every year.
Staff
HBRW
99b
Senior Thesis
Signature of the director required to enroll.
Usually offered every year.
Staff
(100-199) For Both Undergraduate and Graduate Students
HBRW
102a
Hebrew Reading Proficiency
Prerequisite: Intermediate knowledge of Hebrew reading. Primarily intended for graduate students. Not for credit.
An intermediate- to mid-level course for graduate students interested in strengthening their reading skills. Emphasizes recognition of grammatical structures in the written language and the acquisition of recognition vocabulary. Intended to help students in their research or in preparation for the Hebrew language exam. Usually offered every year.
Staff
HBRW
102b
Advanced Reading Proficiency and Comprehension
Prerequisite: HBRW 102a or high-intermediate reading knowledge of Hebrew. Not for credit.
A continuation of HBRW 102a. Different materials and texts are studied. This class is conducted in English. Usually offered every year.
Staff
HBRW
121b
Let's converse in Hebrew, II
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Prerequisite: Any 40-level Hebrew course or the equivalent. Four class hours per week.
An intermediate- to mid/high-level conversation course for students who wish to improve their speaking skills before entering more advanced-level courses. Role playing, vocabulary building, and guided speaking activities develop conversational skills for various situations. Reading and discussion of contemporary texts assist in vocabulary building. Usually offered every year.
Staff
HBRW
123a
Creative Reading and Writing in Hebrew I
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Four class hours per week.
An intermediate- to mid/high-level course, which focuses on modern Hebrew prose and poetry stressing major trends. Students are expected to acquire better fluency in reading, writing, and conversation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ofengenden
HBRW
123b
Creative Reading and Writing in Hebrew II
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Four class hours per week.
An intermediate- to mid/high-level course that focuses on the generational relationships in modern Hebrew prose and poetry. Students are expected to acquire better fluency in reading, writing, and conversation. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ofengenden
HBRW
141a
Advanced Hebrew Conversation
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Prerequisite: Four semesters of Hebrew or permission of the instructor. Four class hours and one additional hour of lab work or speaking practice per week are required.
For advanced students who want to work on accuracy, fluency, and vocabulary building. The course prepares students to become advanced speakers of Hebrew. Reading of contemporary texts and newspaper articles and listening to Israeli videos will serve as a basis for building higher-level speaking proficiency. One additional weekly hour of lab work or speaking practice is required. Usually offered every year.
Staff
HBRW
144a
Hebrew through Plays and Drama
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Prerequisite: Four semesters of Hebrew or permission of the instructor. Four class hours and two additional weekly hours of lab work are required.
Helps improve Hebrew language skills at the intermediate-high/advanced-level by focusing on various creative aspects such as improvisations, drama, performance, and other acting techniques such as movement, imagination, and other basic skills necessary to act out scenes from various plays in the Hebrew language. Writing assignments and self-critique enhance the students' skills in language acquisition. The course culminates in the writing of one-act plays in Hebrew along with a theatrical performance and production. Usually offered every year in the fall.
Staff
HBRW
161b
What's Up?: Hebrew through Israeli News Media
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Prerequisite: Five semesters of Hebrew or permission of the instructor. Four class hours per week.
For advanced students who wish to enhance proficiency and accuracy in writing and speaking. Israeli newspapers, films, clips from Israeli TV series and shows, and on-line resources will be used to promote language and cultural competency. Usually offered every spring.
Ms. Porath
HBRW
162b
Translation Practice and Theory
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Focuses on the practice and theory of Hebrew to English translation. Students will translate and edit authentic materials (literary texts, television series, film, internet sites, speeches and newspapers.) We will also use short texts on the theory and practice of translation in order to reflect on our own translation practices. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ofengenden
HBRW
164b
Israeli Theater
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Prerequisite: Five semesters of Hebrew or permission of the instructor. Four class hours and two lab hours per week.
An advanced course that enhances advanced language skills through reading and analysis of plays. The student's creativity is developed through participation in acting and creative writing lab. In reading plays, students can also participate in Hebrew acting lab. Usually offered every second year in the fall.
Staff
HBRW
167b
Back to the Roots: The Revival of Modern Hebrew
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Prerequisite: Five semesters of Hebrew or permission of the instructor. Four class hours per week.
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 fall.
Ms. Porath
HBRW
168a
Hebrew Language Teaching I
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Prerequisite: Five semesters of Hebrew or permission of the instructor. Three class hours per week.
An advanced-level methodology course that focuses on the theories and methodologies for teaching Hebrew. Course taught in Hebrew and in English. Designed primarily for students at the advanced level who are interested in eventually being able to teach Hebrew. Usually offered every fall.
Staff
HBRW
168b
Hebrew Language Teaching II
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Prerequisite: Five semesters of Hebrew or permission of the instructor. Three class hours per week.
An advanced seminar that focuses on students' understanding of second languages, particularly the students of Hebrew, as well as understanding the foundations of curriculum development. The course is taught in Hebrew and in English and is a continuation of HBRW 168a. Students participate in teaching practicum through internship and learn how to apply their knowledge. Usually offered every spring.
Staff
HBRW
170a
Take I: Hebrew through Israeli Cinema
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Prerequisite: Five semesters of Hebrew or permission of the instructor. Four class hours per week.
An advanced culture course that focuses on the various aspects of Israeli society as they are portrayed in Israeli films and television. In addition to viewing films, the students will be asked to read Hebrew background materials, to participate in class discussions, and to write in Hebrew about the films. Usually offered every spring.
Mr. Ofengenden
(200 and above) Primarily for Graduate Students
HBRW
255
Teaching Modern Hebrew Language: A Cultural Approach
Yields three semester-hour credits.
Presents a holistic approach to Modern Hebrew teaching and learning in Hebrew charter and other schools, which integrates cultural context, culture inter-text, textual diversity, and an appropriate rich learning environment for the acquisition of an optimal cultural and linguistic competence and performance. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Talmon
HBRW
256
Instructional Leadership Practicum
Yields three semester-hour credits.
An online reflective seminar enabling in-service Hebrew language teachers and coordinators to apply second language acquisition theories and methods during their practicum. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Avni
HBRW
280a
Hebrew Language and Culture
Prerequisite: Minimum five semesters of Hebrew. Open to students in the MAT program (Hebrew concentration) only.
Fosters knowledge of Israeli culture awareness as a tool to help their learners maximize their language acquisition. Students in this course will read and respond to literature written for children from preschoolers to young adults. Usually taught every year.
Ms. Hascal
HBRW
298a
Independent Study
Staff
HBRW
301a
Hebrew Practicum I
Required of all master's degree students.
Staff
HBRW
301b
Hebrew Practicum II
Continuation of HBRW 301a.
Staff
HBRW
303a
Readings in Assessing the Learning and Teaching of Hebrew
Staff
HBRW
304b
Readings in Hebrew Grammar
Ms. Porath
HBRW
305a
Readings in Biblical Text
Staff
HBRW
306b
Reading of the Israeli Media
Ms. Ringvald
HBRW
307a
Readings in Curriculum Theory and Development
Staff
HBRW
309a
Readings on Connection of Language and Identity
Ms. Ringvald
Courses of Related Interest
NEJS
72a
Representing the Arab Israeli Conflict
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Explores how the Arab-Israeli conflict is portrayed in literature, film and political writing. The course explores questions such as: what are the ways in which we find conviction, legitimacy, moral support, pain and enjoyment in the images, narratives and ideas surrounding the conflict; what is the relationship between narrative and ideology; how are fictional representations and ideological discourse constructed poetically and rhetorically; what are the ways in which images repress/empower women who partake in the conflict. Usually offered every year.
Mr. Ofengenden
NEJS
173a
Trauma and Violence in Israeli Literature and Film
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Taught in Hebrew.
Explores trauma and violence in Israeli Literature, film, and art. Focuses in man-made disasters, war and terrorism, sexual and family violence, and murder and suicide, and examines their relation to nationalism, Zionism, gender, and sexual identity. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Szobel
NEJS
174b
Israeli Women Writers on War and Peace
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Taught in Hebrew.
An exploration of nationalism and gender in Modern Hebrew literature. By discussing various Hebrew texts and Israeli works of art and film, this course explores women's relationship to Zionism, war, peace, the state, politics, and processes of cultural production. Usually offered every second year.
Ms. Szobel
NEJS
178a
Love, Sex, and Power in Israeli Culture
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Taught in Hebrew.
Explores questions of romance, gender, marriage, and jealousy in the Israeli context by offering a feminist and psychoanalytic reading of Hebrew texts, works of art, and film. Usually offered every third year.
Ms. Szobel