Modern Hebrew Studies (HEBR)
Modern Hebrew is the language of the State of Israel and a key to understanding modern Jewish culture and the Middle East. Hebrew language courses at Bucknell begin with HEBR 101, which assumes no previous knowledge of the language and is conducted partially in English. As we progress toward HEBR 104, students immerse themselves in the language and develop the four language skills – reading, speaking, listening, and writing. By the end of HEBR 104, students are able to communicate in solid basic Hebrew. These courses also aspire to introduce students to basic concepts and facts of Israeli culture, which are integrated into the study of the language from the very outset through music, videos, games, and readings. Hebrew language courses are complemented by courses given in English on Israeli literature, history, and culture. Hebrew language and Israeli culture courses satisfy some of the requirements for the Jewish Studies minor. Students with Hebrew proficiency often continue to graduate school in Jewish or Near Eastern Studies, and often develop careers in business and government service, where knowledge of Hebrew is an asset.
Courses
HEBR 101. Beginning Modern Hebrew. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Other:1
Introduction to modern Hebrew. Practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, elementary grammar and introduction to Israeli culture.
HEBR 101A. Intensive Elementary Hebrew. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternating Spring Semester; Lecture hours:4
Intensive practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing modern Hebrew. Introduction to everyday Israeli culture. Not open to students who completed HEBR 101. Successful completion meets prerequisite for HEBR 103.
HEBR 102. Beginning Modern Hebrew II. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Other:1
Continuation of Modern Hebrew language skills. Practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing and introduction to Israeli culture. Prerequisite: HEBR 101 or equivalent. Not open to students who completed HEBR 101A.
HEBR 103. Intermediate Hebrew I. 1 Credit.
Offered Fall Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Recitation:1
A continuation and review of grammar emphasizing all four skills and culture. Prerequisite: HEBR 101A or HEBR 102 or equivalent.
HEBR 104. Intermediate Hebrew II. 1 Credit.
Offered Spring Semester Only; Lecture hours:3,Recitation:1
Further review of grammar with emphasis on all four skills and culture. Prerequisite: HEBR 103 or equivalent.
HEBR 150. Topics in Jewish Studies. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Study of topics in Jewish cultures or societies.
HEBR 215. Hebrew Bible and Modern Literature. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
The course examines how materials from the Hebrew Bible are reworked in modern literature and culture, focusing on Hebrew and American traditions. Crosslisted as HUMN 215.
HEBR 236. Israel: Literature, Film, Culture. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
Course explores Israeli culture in its historical, ethnic, religious, linguistic, and geographical context through literature, film, political discourse, photography, and other texts. Crosslisted as UNIV 236.
HEBR 250. Jews and the City: Literature and Film. 1 Credit.
Offered Occasionally; Lecture hours:3
The course explores the 20th-century Jewish urban experience in Warsaw, New York, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem through literary, cinematic, and scholarly materials.
HEBR 251. The Jewish Uprooted. 1 Credit.
Offered Alternate Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
The course explores the figure of the uprooted in modern Jewish literature and culture, focusing on early 20th-century Hebrew, Yiddish, and Jewish-American writing (readings are in English). Crosslisted as UNIV 263.
HEBR 252. The Modern Jewish Experience in Lit&Film. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
The course explores modern Jewish life around the world through a variety of perspectives, including literature, film, history, and memoir. Emphasis is placed on Jews in Israel and the U.S., as well as on immigration and the Holocaust. Crosslisted as UNIV 262.
HEBR 292. After the Holocaust: Israel & United States. 1 Credit.
Offered Either Fall or Spring; Lecture hours:3
The course examines the impact of the Nazi persecution and genocide against the Jews (1933-1945) on different societies and cultures post-1945, especially in Israel and the United States. Crosslisted as UNIV 292.
HEBR 390. Independent Study. .5-1 Credits.
Offered Both Fall and Spring; Lecture hours:Varies
Modern Hebrew at the intermediate level. Prerequisites: HEBR 102 and permission of the instructor.
Faculty
Associate Professor: Or Rogovin (Director)