Hebrew 4 (PG)

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

At the end of the module, a student should be able to demonstrate…

• knowledge and understanding of complex modern Hebrew grammar
• familiarity with the Hebrew verb system, the present, past and future tenses and infinitives of all verb forms
• knowledge and understanding of extensive Hebrew vocabulary
• knowledge and understanding of the appropriateness of most Hebrew structures and expressions in a given context
• the ability to understand unedited passages in written Hebrew from various sources
• the ability to produce passages in written Hebrew on a variety of topics, to express opinion and formulate an argument
• the ability to understand spoken Hebrew and to engage in spoken discourse on a variety of topics
• knowledge and understanding of the role of language in general, and Hebrew in particular, in language-based scholarship and research - specific learning outcome for PG students

Workload

This module will be taught over 22 weeks with 3 hours classroom contact per week in language classes. 10 research seminars to be taken within SOAS.

Scope and syllabus

The module provides an opportunity for students with a good command of Hebrew to further their proficiency and understanding of modern Hebrew language in all its registers and in a variety of contexts. The module reviews the Hebrew verb system, but focuses more on complex sentence structure, register and vocabulary. The students will encounter unedited Hebrew poetry and prose, as well as academic writing on a wide range of topics relating to Israeli culture and society. Communicative practice is established through listening to Israeli radio, lectures by native speakers and songs, and the students will be required to give short oral presentations dealing with a range of situations.

The module provides students with an advanced knowledge of Hebrew and practice of using Hebrew in a variety of everyday situations. It allows students to interact with Hebrew speakers in Hebrew and to use original Hebrew language sources. This provides students with a basis to approach research topics relating to modern Hebrew language, and its revival.

Method of assessment

• An oral exam testing competence and aural comprehension (20%)
• One unseen written examination testing reading and writing skills and analytical knowledge of selected major structures in May-June (80%)

Suggested reading

The course will be based on:

• either Cohen, Mazal, Agada shel safa (Akademon, 1992)
  Or
• Omlinski, Batya and Vais, Yonah, Ivrit bedalet amot (Akademon, 1993)
• additional materials which will be made available throughout the course.

Additional Hebrew References:

Hebrew Learning Resources:

• Bolozky, Shmuel, 501 Hebrew Verbs (2008)
• Levy, Ya’acov, Oxford English-Hebrew, Hebrew-English Dictionary (1995)
• Lauden, E and Weinbach, L., Multi-dictionary: Hebrew-Hebrew English and English-Hebrew (1993)

Hebrew Grammar:

• Glinert, Lewis, Chik-chak: a gateway to modern Hebrew grammar (SOAS, 1991)
• Glinert, Lewis, Modern Hebrew: an essential grammar (2005)
• Kamhi, D.J., Modern Hebrew: an introductory course (1982)

Revival of Modern Hebrew:

• Ben Yehuda, Eliezer, A dream come true (1993)
• Fellman, Jack, The revival of a classical tongue: Eliezer ben Yehuda and the modern Hebrew language (1973)
• Harshav, Benjamin, Language in time of revolution (1999)
• Sivan, Reuven, The revival of the Hebrew language (1980)

Additional bibliography of Hebrew books will be given at the beginning of the academic year.

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules