Requirements for the Major
Honors in the Major
Courses
1346 Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262-3204; hebrew@mailplus.wisc.edu; http://polyglot.lss.wisc.edu/hebrew
Professors Brenner, Fox, Miller, Morahg; Senior Lecturers Mirkin, Troxel, Yuchtman
Undergraduate advisor in the major: Professor Gilead Morahg, 1342 Van Hise, 262-2968; gmorahg@wisc.edu
Faculty diversity liaison: Professor Gilead Morahg, gmorahg@wisc.edu
The department teaches Hebrew as a classical language and as the living language of modern Israel; Hebrew literature from all periods in the original and in translation; other ancient Semitic languages; and cultural, historical, and archaeological courses concerning Judaica and Hebraica.
The department provides students with opportunities for fulfilling the B.A. and B.S. foreign language and literature requirements. Students frequently choose to add breadth to their undergraduate degrees by taking courses taught in English, such as Jewish Cultural History and Introduction to Biblical Literature.
The department offers the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Students who anticipate graduate work in biblical or historical studies of the Ancient Near East, in the languages or literatures of the ancient Semitic world, in modern Hebrew literature and other areas of Jewish studies, or in theological studies in seminaries, frequently complete undergraduate majors in the department. Such a major provides preparation for graduate programs here and at other major universities.
The elementary courses in Hebrew are planned both for those who have begun the language in high school or elsewhere and for those who take it for the first time in college. One year of high school work is the equivalent of one semester of college work in foreign language, but all students are assigned to courses on the basis of placement tests. These tests may admit a student to a more advanced course, but give no credit toward graduation. (For information on acquiring credit for foreign language work taken in high school, see the section on Credit by Course Examination earlier in this catalog.)
See the section on L&S degree requirements in the beginning of the Letters and Science section in this catalog for a description of foreign language attainment examinations.
The Hebrew studies major may be earned with an emphasis in either modern or biblical Hebrew. Majors in Hebrew studies are encouraged to spend the junior year at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. See the section on Academic Programs Abroad in this catalog.
All students are required to fulfill the L&S requirement of 15 credits of upper-level work in the major completed in residence. Courses in the department above 300 (except for 323-324) count toward this requirement.
The modern sequence requires a minimum of 24 credits in the Hebrew department above 202:
1. Introduction to Judaism (211) or Jewish Cultural History (377), 4 cr
2. Hebrew Literature, 12 cr
Four of the following courses: Introduction to Hebrew Literature (301-302); Survey of Modern Hebrew
Literature (401-402); Readings in Contemporary Hebrew Literature
(533-534).
3. Electives, minimum 8 cr
Three additional courses in the Hebrew department, which may include one course in the Jewish Studies program. Independent study courses may be included among electives, with the approval of the undergraduate advisor or chair.
The biblical sequence requires a minimum of 24 credits in the Hebrew department above 324:
1. Introduction to Biblical Literature (217), 4 cr
2. Biblical Poetry (513-514), 6 cr3. Electives, minimum 14 cr
Five courses in the Hebrew department, including two semesters of one additional Semitic language: Aramaic (601-602), Ugaritic Texts/Canaanite Dialects (603-604), Syriac (605-606) or one two-semester advanced text course: Ezekiel (641-642), Isaiah (651-652), Wisdom Literature (653-654).
Students interested in earning Honors in the Major should consult with the department undergraduate advisor. Students should ordinarily declare to the department their intention to graduate with Honors in the Major at the end of the sophomore year or the start of the junior year, and must receive permission from the department undergraduate advisor before being admitted to the department honors track. An overall GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses taken at UW-Madison at the time of graduation is required for any student pursuing Honors in the Major. Note that this minimum cumulative GPA may be distinct from the minimum GPA requirement for courses in the major.
All classes listed in the course descriptions section will be offered regularly unless otherwise noted. Please check with the department office for information on specific courses.
101 First Semester Hebrew. I; 4 cr (E). For students with little or no previous knowledge of Hebrew. Basic communication skills; speaking, reading, writing modern Hebrew; elements of grammar and syntax. P: Open to All Undergrads.
102 Second Semester Hebrew. II; 4 cr (E). Continuation of 101. P: Cons inst or Hebr St 101.
103 Biblical Hebrew- First Semester. I; 4 cr (E). Introduction to the language of the Hebrew Bible. Serves as basis for later forms of classical Hebrew. P: Open to Fr.
104 Biblical Hebrew- Second Semester. II; 4 cr (E). Continuation of Hebrew 103. P: Hebrew 103 or advanced placement. Open to Fr.
201 Third Semester Hebrew. I; 4 cr (I). Readings from modern Hebrew texts, intermediate grammar and syntax, development of oral proficiency, emphasis on class discussions. P: Cons inst or Hebr St 102.
202 Fourth Semester Hebrew. II; 4 cr (I). Continuation of 201. P: Cons inst or Hebr St 201.
211 Introduction to Judaism. (Crosslisted with Jewish, Relig St) I or II; 4 cr (H-E). General introduction to Judaism covering the biblical, classical rabbinic, medieval, and modern periods. P: Open to Fr.
217 Introduction to Biblical Literature. I; 4 cr (L-I). Introduction to the literature and literary history of the Old Testament. P: Open to Fr. Not recom for Grads. Selected readings in Hebrew for majors.
218 Survey of Hebrew Literature: Medieval to Modern Periods. I or II; 3 cr (b-L-I). Hebrew secular literature and poetry of medieval Spain and Europe, the Renaissance, the rebirth of modern Hebrew literature, contemporary Hebrew short stories and poetry. Meets with Littrans 362. P: Open to Fr. Selected readings in Hebrew for majors.
237 Biblical Poetry in Translation. (Crosslisted with Jewish, Littrans, Relig St) I or II; 3 cr (L-E). A study of the poetry of the Hebrew Bible as literature within the context of other ancient Near Eastern poetry. Influence of biblical poetry on the Dead Sea Scrolls, New Testament, medieval Hebrew poetry, and Jewish and Christian liturgies. P: Open to Fr.
241 Introduction to Biblical Archaeology. (Crosslisted with Jewish) I or II; 4 cr (H-E). An overview of archaeology and its relationship to understanding the biblical world. P: Open to Fr.
299 Directed Study. I, II; 1-3 cr (I). P: Graded on a lettered basis; requires cons chairman.
301 Introduction to Hebrew Literature. (Crosslisted with Jewish) I; 3 cr (L-A). Selected works for different periods and genres; class discussions in Hebrew. P: Hebrew 202 or cons inst.
302 Introduction to Hebrew Literature. (Crosslisted with Jewish) II; 3 cr (L-A). Continuation of 301. P: Hebrew 301 or cons inst.
303 Biblical Hebrew-First Semester. I; 3 cr (E). Introduction to the language of the Hebrew Bible. Serves as basis for later forms of classical Hebrew. Meets with Hebrew 103. P: Jr or Grad st. Stdts may not receive cr for both 103 & 303.
304 Biblical Hebrew-Second Semester. II; 3 cr (E). Introduction to the language of the Hebrew Bible. Serves as basis for later forms of classical Hebrew. Meets with Hebrew 104. P: Jr or Grad st. Stdts may not receive cr for both 104 & 304.
307 Elementary Ancient Egyptian Language. (Crosslisted with Classics, African) I; 3 cr (I). Hieroglyphic writing, Middle Egyptian grammar. P: Jr st & cons inst.
308 Elementary Ancient Egyptian Language. (Crosslisted with Classics, African) II; 3 cr (I). Continuation of 307. P: Classics 307, Jr st & cons inst.
323 Biblical Texts. I; 4 cr (I). Grammar review, reading narrative texts. P: Hebrew 104 or cons inst.
324 Biblical Texts. II; 4 cr (I). Continuation of 323. P: Hebrew 323 or cons inst.
328 Classical Rabbinic Literature in Translation. (Crosslisted with Jewish, Littrans, Relig St) II; 3-4 cr (L-I). Introduction to the literature of the Classical Rabbinic or Talmudic period of Judaism (2nd to 7th centuries CE). Historical and intellectual background; the interrelation of liturgy, legal and non-legal literature. P: Open to Fr.
332 Prophets of the Bible. (Crosslisted with Relig St, Jewish, Littrans) I or II; 4 cr (L-E). An introduction to the thought, literature, and history of the prophets of ancient Israel (in English). P: Open to Fr.
343 Israeli Fiction in Translation. I or II; 3-4 cr (L-I). Major writers, trends and themes in Israeli fiction from pre-State period to present. Meets with Littrans 367. P: Open to Fr. Selected readings in Hebrew for majors.
346 Jewish Literature of the Greco-Roman Period. (Crosslisted with Jewish, Relig St) II; 3 cr (L-I). Jewish literature from 350 BCE to 150 CE. The Greek and Hebrew sources include stories, religious poetry, wisdom books and apocalyptic texts. Readings (in translation) from the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, and the Dead Sea Scrolls in their historical, cultural and literary setting.
351 Religions of the Ancient Near East. (Crosslisted with Relig St) I; 2 cr (H-D). The gods in ancient Israel, Egypt, Mesopotamia and Canaan: their stories, deeds, characters, and demands, and how they were worshipped. P: So st.
355 Representations of Women in 20th C. Jewish Literature. (Crosslisted with Jewish, Women St) II; 3 cr (L-I). Jewish women's writings and portrayals of Jewish women in literature, in light of central events in modern Jewish history, with emphasis on the double marginality of women in an ethnic minority.
356 Zionism in Thought, Culture & Literature: From Inception to the State. (Crosslisted with Jewish) II; 3 cr (H-D). Representations of Zionism from biblical and medieval times to the rise of Jewish nationalism. Discussion of ideological models with special attention to the Arab issue and to the significance of Zionism in America. P: Open to Fr.
368 The Bible in the Middle Ages. (Crosslisted with Medieval, History, Relig St) I or II; 3 cr (L-D). Medieval Bible and its shaping effect on medieval culture. P: So st or cons inst.
371 Topics in Jewish Civilization. (Crosslisted with Jewish) I, II; 3 cr (H-D). Topics vary each semester, for example: modern Jewish thought, Zionism, history and development of the Hebrew language, mysticism in Judaism, etc. Open to Fr. P: Open to All Undergrads.
376 Ancient Jewish Psychology and Ethics. (Crosslisted with Jewish, Relig St) II; 3 cr (H-I). Examines the views of ethics and self-cultivation held by rabbis of late antiquity and the early medieval period. Focuses on primary texts in translation but also includes theoretical and comparative studies of the topic. P: Open to Fr.
377 Jewish Cultural History (in English). (Crosslisted with Jewish, Relig St) I or II; 4 cr (H-I). Survey of Jewish cultural history from the Biblical to Talmudic and early Muslim periods; and its interaction with other cultures, including Hellenistic, Roman, and Muslim. P: So st.
378 Jewish Cultural History (in English). (Crosslisted with Jewish, Relig St) II; 3-4 cr (H-I). Jewish cultural history from the medieval to the modern period; emphasis on socio-economic and cultural conditions, Jewish civilization in various countries to the First World War. P: So st.
401 Survey of Modern Hebrew Literature. (Crosslisted with Jewish) I; 3 cr (L-A). Readings in Hebrew literature, class conducted in Hebrew. P: Hebrew 302 or cons inst.
402 Survey of Modern Hebrew Literature. (Crosslisted with Jewish) II; 3 cr (L-A). Continuation of 401. P: Hebrew 401 or cons inst.
407 Intermediate Ancient Egyptian Language. (Crosslisted with Classics, African) I; 3 cr (A). Reading of Middle Egyptian literary texts and inscriptions; Hieratic script; Coptic grammar and texts. P: Classics 308, Jr st & cons inst.
408 Intermediate Ancient Egyptian Language. (Crosslisted with Classics, African) II; 3 cr (A). Continuation of 407. P: Classics 407, Jr st & cons inst.
417 History-telling in the Bible. (Crosslisted with Jewish, Relig St) II; 3 cr (H-A). The biblical books of Genesis through 2 Kings, together with 1 and 2 Chronicles, recount ancient Israel's history. This course investigates how their authors composed their stories and explores what their interests and intentions were.
446 Holy Places and Sacred Times in Rabbinic Literature. (Crosslisted with Jewish, Relig St) II; 3-4 cr (H-I). Examines the ways that space and time were understood and made meaningful by the rabbis of Late Antiquity, whose thought and practice have influenced the religious life of most Jews to the present day. P: For lec: So st or cons inst. For opt disc: Hebr St 302 or 324, or cons inst.
448 Classical Rabbinic Texts. (Crosslisted with Jewish, Relig St) I or II; 3 cr (L-A). Introduction to the language and literature of the rabbinic period in Judaism (2nd-7th century CE). Acquisition of language skills to read Hebrew texts of this period, including Mishna, Tosephta, and Midrash. P: Hebrew 202 or 324 or cons inst.
451 Biblical Archaeology. (Crosslisted with Jewish) I; 3 cr (H-I). An examination of current problems, methods, and trends in archaeological research in the lands of the Bible. P: Jr st.
460 Medieval Hebrew Biblical Commentaries. (Crosslisted with Jewish, Medieval) I or II; 3 cr (L-A). Introduces graduate students and advanced undergraduate students to Medieval Hebrew Biblical exegesis. Reading, translation and discussion of different medieval interpretations of key passages of the Hebrew Bible. P: 3 yrs of Hebrew, Hebr St 448, or cons inst.
473 Jewish Civilization in Medieval Spain (in English). (Crosslisted with Medieval, Jewish) I or II; 3 cr (H-I). Cultural, political, economic and scientific contributions of the Jews in medieval Islamic and Christian Spain (711-1492). Emphasis on interaction of the Jews with the general society. P: So st.
513 Biblical Texts, Poetry. (Crosslisted with Jewish) I; 3 cr (L-A). Critical reading of selected texts from the Minor Prophets and the Writings. P: Hebrew 324 or cons inst.
514 Biblical Texts, Poetry. (Crosslisted with Jewish) II; 3 cr (L-A). Continuation of 513. P: Cons inst or Hebrew 513.
533 Readings in Contemporary Hebrew Literature. (Crosslisted with Jewish) I; 3 cr (L-A). P: Hebrew St 402 or cons inst.
534 Readings in Contemporary Hebrew Literature. (Crosslisted with Jewish) II; 3 cr (L-A). P: Cons inst or Hebr St 533.
601 Aramaic I. I; 3 cr (A). Grammar and readings in Biblical Aramaic (Daniel, Ezra). P: Hebrew 324 or cons inst.
602 Aramaic II. II; 3 cr (A). Selections from non-biblical Aramaic texts: Inscriptions, Elephentine letters, Ahiqar, Targumim. P: Cons inst or Hebr St 601.
603 Ugaritic Texts. I or II; 3 cr (A). Readings in mythological, administrative, and epistolary texts from Ras Shamra-Ugarit. P: Hebrew 324 or cons inst.
604 Canaanite Dialects. I or II; 3 cr (A). Phoenician, Punic, Moabite, and Hebrew epigraphic texts. P: Hebrew 324 or cons inst.
605 Syriac I. I; 3 cr (A). Syriac grammar and reading. P: Hebrew 324 or cons inst.
606 Syriac II. II; 3 cr (A). Readings in Peshitta, literary texts. P: Hebrew 605.
623 Advanced Hebrew Grammar and Composition. I; 3 cr (A). The phonology, morphology and syntax of biblical Hebrew; composition in the classical style. P: Hebrew 324 or cons inst.
641 The Book of Ezekiel. I; 3 cr (L-I). Philological and literary study of the Hebrew text. Readings in the ancient translations. P: Hebrew 514 or cons inst.
642 The Book of Ezekiel. II; 3 cr (L-I). Continuation of 641. P: Hebrew 641.
651 The Book of Isaiah. I; 3 cr (L-A). Philological and literary study of the Hebrew text. Readings in the ancient translations. P: Hebrew 514 or cons inst.
652 The Book of Isaiah. II; 3 cr (L-A). Continuation of 651. P: Hebrew 651.
653 Wisdom Literature: Proverbs and Qohelet. I; 3 cr (L-A). Philological and literary study selections from the Hebrew text of Proverbs, Qohelet, and other works. Readings in the ancient translations. P: Hebrew 514 or cons inst.
654 Wisdom Literature: Job. II; 3 cr (L-A). Philological and literary study of the Hebrew text of Job. Readings in the ancient translations. P: Hebrew 653 or cons inst.
681 Senior Honors Thesis. 3 cr (H-A). P: Cons chairman.
682 Senior Honors Thesis. 3 cr (H-A). P: Cons inst.
691 Senior Thesis. 2 cr (H-A). .
692 Senior Thesis. 2 cr (H-A). .
699 Directed Study. I, II; 1-3 cr (A). P: Jr or Sr st; graded on a lettered basis; requires cons chairman.