Hebrew, Minor

Program Description

The minor in Hebrew is intended to provide students with a good working knowledge of the Hebrew language, taught in a context that emphasizes the characteristics of Jewish tradition and Israeli culture and society. Students undertake three years of language study (or equivalent); education abroad can be included.

What is Hebrew?

Hebrew has been in use for over three thousand years, making it one of the very few languages that is attested both in ancient and modern times. It is best known as the language of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), which is a collection of books that were written between about 1200 BCE and 150 BCE. Following the Roman invasions into the biblical lands in the first two centuries CE, Hebrew fell out of use as a spoken language by around the 3rd century CE. It remained in use, however, as a literary and liturgical language among the Jews, and there is a huge corpus of Hebrew literature from that period, through medieval times, and into the modern era. In the late 19th century, Hebrew was revived as a spoken language, and today has about 5 million native speakers in Israel and abroad.

You Might Like This Program If...

• You want to be able to analyze classical Jewish texts in their original language.
• You hope to further pursue an education and career in religious studies.
• You have an interest in learning about Jewish culture in a more immersive way.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
HEBR 1	Basic Modern Hebrew I	4
HEBR 2	Basic Modern Hebrew II	4
HEBR 3	Intermediate Modern Hebrew	4
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 3 credits of the following:		3
HEBR 151	Introductory Biblical Hebrew
HEBR 152	Intermediate Biblical Hebrew
HEBR 199	Foreign Study--Basic Hebrew
HEBR 296	Independent Studies
HEBR 297	Special Topics
HEBR 399	Foreign Study--Intermediate Hebrew
JST/HEBR 10	Jewish Civilization
JST 12	Lands of the Bible
Select 6 credits of the following:		6
HEBR 401	Advanced Hebrew--Conversation Emphasis
HEBR 402	Advanced Hebrew--Reading Emphasis
HEBR 451	Advanced Biblical Hebrew
HEBR 452	Readings in Biblical Hebrew
HEBR 496	Independent Studies
HEBR 497	Special Topics
HEBR 499	Foreign Study--Advanced Hebrew

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Majors and Minors web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program

Career Paths

A minor in Hebrew can help supplement a career in various fields, both religious and non-religious. If considering pursuing a graduate degree through a program in which you'll be analyzing classical texts, a minor in Hebrew will ensure you have the tools necessary for your research.

Careers

• Teaching
• Public Service
• The Ministry (both Jewish and non-Jewish)
• Archaeology

Contact

University Park

JEWISH STUDIES PROGRAM
108 Weaver Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-8939
jstd@psu.edu

http://www.jewishstudies.la.psu.edu/