Hebrew Program & Curriculum

Requirements for the Minor in Hebrew Language

Students may obtain a minor in Hebrew by completing the following six courses: Hebrew 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, and 302 or an approved course in Hebrew literature.

Students with previous knowledge of Hebrew may obtain a minor in Hebrew by taking one course at their present level of proficiency, three additional courses above their present level, and one approved course in Hebrew literature.

Graduate Study in Hebrew Language

The Hebrew program at Emory also offers graduate level courses in topics related to a particular student's field of study. For more information, contact the Hebrew language coordinator, Prof. Pazit Kahlon Shelnutt, pazit.kahlon@emory.edu.

Hebrew Language Courses

HEBR 101. Elementary Modern Hebrew I

The first course in the Hebrew program sequence, designed to introduce basic and fundamental concepts of the language. No prior knowledge of Hebrew is required for this class. In this course the student learns: how to read and write using Modern Hebrew script; vocabulary related to immediate environment; basic morphological structures of verbs and nouns only in present tense; and basic grammar and the syntactic structures of simple sentences.

HEBR 102. Elementary Modern Hebrew II

The second course in the Hebrew program sequence, designed to continue introducing basic and fundamental concepts of the language, and develop the vocabulary and grammatical knowledge and ability of the students. This course is suitable for students with very little Hebrew knowledge and the ability to produce basic sentences in Hebrew. In this course the student learns: vocabulary related to the immediate environment; basic morphological structures of verbs and nouns as well as past and future tense; basic grammar and the syntactic structures of simple sentences; and to write a narrative of at least 1-1.5 pages long.

HEBR 201. Intermediate Modern Hebrew I

The third course in the Hebrew program sequence, designed to continue introducing fundamental concepts of the language with more complex grammatical structures, but in this course the focus shifts to include functioning in spoken Hebrew as well. The students concentrate on significantly improving their speaking and comprehension skills. In this course the student learns: more advanced verb forms such as reflexive forms as well as more tenses which include imperative; vocabulary related to the body and well-being; more complicated grammatical structures and more advanced preposition conjugation; and to write narratives approximately 2 pages in length.

HEBR 202. Intermediate Modern Hebrew II

The fourth course in the Hebrew program sequence, designed to advance the Hebrew learner to the intermediate-high level, by introducing complex grammatical structure such as the passive form and complex sentences. The students concentrate on significantly improving their speaking and comprehension skills as well as working on text analysis skills. In this course the student learns: the passive verbal templates as well as imperative and subjunctive forms; conditional sentences and complex sentences; reading and analyzing texts and extended narratives; and Hebrew speaking and comprehension skills which at this point include the ability to communicate about a variety of topics.

HEBR 301. Advanced Modern Hebrew I

The fifth course in the Hebrew program sequence, designed to advance the Hebrew learner to the advanced level, by focusing mostly on enriching the vocabulary and advancing speaking skills. Materials used in this class include literary texts, modern media articles and other Hebrew texts related to life in present day Israel.

HEBR 302. Advanced Modern Hebrew II

The sixth course in the Hebrew program sequence, designed to advance the Hebrew learner to the advanced level and beyond, by focusing mostly on enriching the vocabulary, advancing speaking skills and literary text analysis. Materials used in this class include literary texts, modern media articles and other Hebrew texts related to life in present day Israel.

HEBR 415. Reading Modern Hebrew

Designed especially to enable students with background in Biblical Hebrew to read modern publications in the field of Biblical studies.

HEBR 430. Modern Hebrew Literature

Readings in modern Hebrew prose, poetry, and drama in the original, with emphasis on literary and social issues.

HEBR 435R. Hebrew of the Israeli Media

Advanced study of the language used in the Israeli media; includes selections from newspapers, radio, and television broadcasts.

HEBR 440. History of the Hebrew Language

Prerequisites: Hebrew 302 or equivalent. This course examines the development of the Hebrew language in different periods and in the framework of other Semitic languages using methodologies of historical linguistics and sociolinguistics.

HEBR 497R. Directed Study in Hebrew (Undergraduate)

Prerequisites: Hebrew 302 or equivalent and permission of the instructor. Can be used for directed study of Hebrew literature in the original or for other interdisciplinary research in Hebrew.

HEBR 797R. Directed Reading in Hebrew (Graduate)

Graduate students who wish to study Hebrew must contact the Hebrew language coordinator to discuss placement and to receive permission to register for HEBR 797R.

Related Courses in Hebrew Literature (taught in English)

MESAS 125. Intro to Jewish Literature

Readings (in English) of major works from Biblical narrative to modern Hebrew, Yiddish, and Jewish fiction. Class discussions deal with topics such as Jewish identity, exile, humor, and satire.

MESAS 348. Israeli-Palestinian Literature

This course will explore the literatures of identity and belonging in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It will cover Modern Hebrew literature authored by Jewish-Israeli writers and literature produced by Arab Palestinians in Israel, the Occupied Territories and the Palestinian Diaspora.

Placement Information

If you have no knowledge of Hebrew, enroll in HEBR101.

If you have previous knowledge of Hebrew, take the Hebrew Placement Test. Upon completion, email the test to the Hebrew language coordinator, Prof. Pazit Kahlon Shelnutt, pazit.kahlon@emory.edu, who will notify you of your placement.

Download the Hebrew Placement Test

If you have completed a Hebrew course at Emory, please enroll in the next sequential course.

If you have questions, contact the Hebrew language coordinator, Prof. Pazit Kahlon Shelnutt, pazit.kahlon@emory.edu.