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Unit outline_

HBRW2631: Reading Hebrew 1

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides senior-level students with the essential linguistic foundation to the study of Hebrew language and literature. It brings students from their first acquaintance with the Hebrew alphabet to an understanding of the Hebrew language. No previous knowledge is assumed. The unit is devoted to the study of the grammar and the principles of translation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level from any of (Hebrew or Biblical and Jewish Studies or Ancient History or Anthropology or Archaeology or History or English or Linguistics or Philosophy or Studies in Religion or Arabic Studies) or HSC Hebrew?or HBRW2603 or HBRW2631 or HBRW2632
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
HBRW2401
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gili Kugler, gili.kugler@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Ian Young (FASS), ian.young@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small test Grammar in-class test
n/a
25% - 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Biblical text in-class test
n/a
25% - 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Class participation
n/a
20% - n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Grammar short quizzes
n/a
15% - 1250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Assignment Bible text short quizzes
n/a
15% - 1250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 The alphabet + vowels Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 02 The alphabet + vowels Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 03 The alphabet + vowels Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 04 1. The alphabet + vowels; 2. Conjunction Waw Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 05 1. Reading biblical text; 2. Definite article and prepositions Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 06 1. Reading biblical text; 2. Begad Kephat consonants Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 07 1. Reading biblical text; 2. Nouns and root system Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 08 1. Reading biblical text; 2. The verb system – introduction Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 09 1. Reading biblical text; 2. Qatal conjugation, Qal stem Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 10 1. Reading biblical text; 2. Parsing verbs: conjugations and stems Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 11 1. Reading biblical text; 2. Yiqtol conjugation Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 12 1. Reading biblical text; 2. Wayyiqtol conjugation Seminar (4 hr)  
Week 13 In-class test Seminar (4 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

  • Class materials supplied by the department and also available on the Canvas site
  • George Athas and Ian Young, Elementary Biblical Hebrew (Ancient Vessel Press, Sydney, 2016)

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. identify the academic study of classical (Biblical) Hebrew grammar and texts
  • LO2. understand the Hebrew alphabet
  • LO3. develop the basics of Hebrew grammar
  • LO4. develop skills in translating Biblical texts.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Feedback has been important in improving the assessments and course content.

Disclaimer

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