99917 - Hebrew 1 (LM)

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students possess the linguistic tools necessary to understand written sources in the Hebrew language; they acquire a first level of competence in Hebrew and they are able to update and deepen their knowledge and develop independent analytical perspectives on the basis of the most recent scholarly debate and relevant bibliography.

Course contents

The course begins on Monday 23rd September 2024 and is structured in three modules.

In the first module, i.e., during the first two weeks of the lesson, an outline of classical Hebrew grammar is offered, paying special attention to the consonant system. In this way, the following topics are introduced: the alphabet (which students should learn before the course starts), the begadkepat consonants, the matres lectionis, the article, gender and number of names and adjectives, the state of the names (absolute, determined, construct), the chain construct, pronouns, pronominal suffixes, perfect and imperfect, the formation of verbal themes (qal, niphal, piel, pual, hiphil, hophal, hitpael).

In the second module the vowel system is introduced and Hebrew is is furthered investigated through the translation of biblical texts. As far as grammar is concerned, the following topics will be dealt with: verbs III-h, verbs I-n, verbs mediae vocalis, prepositions.

In the third module, the last week of the course, the essential features of Torah literature are presented.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students will receive a Hebrew handbook edited by the lecturer (in course of publication). Otherwise, the use of this book is recommended: T.O. Lambdin, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, Darton, Longman & Todd, London 1971.
For the study of the Torah, read either J.J. Collins, A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Fortress, Minneapolis 2018, 45-119 or P. Merlo (ed.), L'Antico Testamento. Introduzione storico-letteraria, Carrocci, Roma 2018, ch. 6 (edited by F. Giuntoli).

Teaching methods

The course involves the constant involvement of students, who are asked to keep up with the course teaching and regularly do the assigned exercises. In the first and second module of the course, each lesson includes the presentation of some elements of grammar, the correction of exercises, and the translation of some Hebrew sentences.
In the third module, the most famous narrative and theological junctures of the Torah are introduced through commentary on selected pericopes.

Assessment methods

Students who attend at least 75% of the lessons are considered to be attending.

The exam is oral. Attending students will be asked to produce 1) the translation of seven verses of the biblical texts translated during the classes, 2) the analysis of five grammatical forms present in the verses under examination, 3) the comment of a passage of the Torah, to be illustrated on the basis of what was highlighted during the course and/or in the handbook indicated in the bibliography.

Non attending students are asked to study T.O. Lambdin, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, Darton, Longman & Todd, London 1971, units 1-28 and to produce 1) the translation of ten lines of the biblical texts offered in the exercises of Lambdin's Introduction, under lessons 17-19, 21, 23-25, and 27-28; 2) the analysis of five grammatical forms present in the verses under examination; 3) the comment of a passage of the Torah on the basis of what is highlighted in the handbook indicated in the bibliography above.

The exam candidates will receive a note falling into one of four assessment ranges: 1) excellent (28-30 cum laude), 2) good (24-27), 3) sufficient (18-23), 4) insufficient (fail). This will consider their ability to give a correct translation and eanalysis of the texts under examination, to articulate their knowledge with the appropriate terminology and to locate a specific issue in an overall competent understanding of the whole subject.

Teaching tools

Some paper material and handouts will be given to students, meant to support the translation of biblical texts. Some powerpoint slides will facilitate the study of the biblical literature.

Students who require specific services and adaptations to teaching activities due to a disability or specific learning disorders (SLD), must first contact the appropriate office: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Settembrini