Biblical Hebrew A & B

LA003A+B (for both undergraduate and graduate students)

Workload: 

LA003A: February intensive (three weeks 30 Jan -17 Feb, 2012), 4 credit points, ≈ 45 contact hours
LA003B: first and second semesters (Tuesday afternoons), 2 class hours/week, 4 credit points, ≈ 48 contact hours

Who: Jill Firth
Status: Elective
Prerequisites: LA003A must be completed before LA003B. Students cannot also take LA001 with or after this unit. The two Hebrew units must be taken before proceeding to Hebrew exegesis units.

LA003A

Methodology

  • Prepare IN ADVANCE with 20-40 hours listening to the Mp4 picturebook (Randall Buth, Living Biblical Hebrew Introduction Part One. See under ‘Textbooks’ below)
  • During the intensive, set aside the afternoons/evenings for Hebrew listening, reading, writing and memorising, and resting. You will get the most benefit from the immersion environment if you can devote yourself fully in these three weeks.
  • Use oral language acquisition tools such as total physical response and narrative learning.
  • Acquire an overview of grammar through classroom teaching and textbook study.
  • Collaboratively read and translate Genesis 1-3.
  • Be introduced to library and electronic tools for studying Hebrew.
  • Hebrew A can be taken as a stand-alone unit or to lead into the full year course.

Course Outline

A course outline including advance preparation and reading suggestions will be sent to everyone who registers.

Textbooks

Pratico, G. D., and van Pelt, M., Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar. (2nd ed., Zondervan, 2007).

Pratico, G. D., and van Pelt, M., Basics of Biblical Hebrew Grammar Workbook. (Zondervan, 2007). The workbook is optional for students who are not going on to Hebrew B.

Buth, Randall, Living Biblical Hebrew Introduction Part One. (Mp4, Biblical Language Center). This Mp4 containing audio files and ten picture lessons may be ordered through the lecturer. (CD with Mp4 and pdf files, ISBN-13: 978-965-7352-10-6). http://www.biblicallanguagecenter.com/books-products/biblical-hebrew

Recommended

Pratico, G. D., and van Pelt, M., Zondervan Get an A! Study Guides: Biblical Hebrew. (Folded A3 summary sheet).

LA003B

Methodology

  • Meet for a 2 hour class each week in semesters 1&2.
  • Use narrative learning and Mp3s to build vocabulary, grammar and syntax.
  • Interactive lectures and textbook study to consolidate grammar.
  • Gain basic skills in translation and exegesis through collaborative reading of Jonah.
  • Set aside 6+ HOURS PER WEEK in addition to class time, for Hebrew listening, reading, writing, and memorizing, including a short daily review.
  • Completion of Hebrew A+B gains the prerequisites for Hebrew exegesis units at Ridley.

Textbooks

 as for Hebrew A.

Recommended (Hebrew B)

Buth, Randall, Living Biblical Hebrew Introduction Part Two. (Biblical Language Center).

Part Two covers an introduction to grammar and vocabulary based on the book of Jonah in ten lessons, with more than 300 audio tracks including the audio text of Jonah.

(343 page coil-bound paperback with Mp3 CD. ISBN-10: 965-7352-01-0 ISBN-13: 978-965-7352-01-4). http://www.biblicallanguagecenter.com/books-products/biblical-hebrew

Part Two audio Mp3 CD plus book may be ordered through the lecturer.