Hebrew Language and Literature

The Program in Hebrew Language and Literature draws on faculty in the Jewish Studies Program, Religious Studies, and the Theological College. 

 

Modern Hebrew courses are available at introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels; biblical Hebrew, at beginning and intermediate levels; rabbinic Hebrew, at the intermediary level.   Students, including first year, may enroll, with the permission of the instructor, in a course at their appropriate level of knowledge.  Students should consult with the instructor or the coordinator about course placement.

 

Introductory  modern Hebrew is intended only for those with no background in Hebrew or those whose is limited to rudimentary exposure such as supplementary Hebrew schools.  Intermediate and advanced modern Hebrew courses are intended for students with backgrounds from day schools, ulpanim, yeshivot, extended time in Israel,  Israeli families, and university Hebrew courses.  Advanced courses provide an opportunity to study  literature, prose and poetry, newspapers, television, film, music, and conversation at the level of the students enrolled in each class and according to their interests. 

 

Introductory biblical Hebrew is  intended both for students with no background in Hebrew as well as those with significant skills in Hebrew. It offers a systematic approach to the structure of classical Hebrew that will enable students to read and comprehend prose passages from the Hebrew Scriptures.  In intermediate biblical Hebrew students will expand their reading skills to include poetic passages, which is the basis of much of the biblical text. Biblical Hebrew skills are basic to advancement in modern Hebrew as well. Rabbinic Hebrew offers an opportunity for students to study Jewish texts in the original.

 

In addition, directed reading courses in Hebrew are available for areas not covered in the curriculum and a topics course will enable the introduction of special courses when the interest and need arises.

 

The courses in Hebrew at Queen’s are essential for a concentration in Jewish studies, and for advanced work in the field and in religious studies, and for professional training for the clergy, including rabbinical, cantorial, and ministerial programs in addition to Jewish education and communal service.  Hebrew courses can be used toward a concentration in Language and Linguistics and an International Studies Certificate.

 

 

 

HEBR – 190 /1.0  Introduction to Modern Hebrew

Year Course

For students with no (or a minimal) background in Hebrew. Introduces elements of grammar and vocabulary of modern Hebrew. 

PREREQUISITE - Permission of the instructor. 

Instructor - Na’ama Haklai

 

HEBR-294*/0.5  Intermediate Modern Hebrew

Fall Course
An extensive grammar review with practice in speaking, writing, and translation, based on the reading of texts by modern Hebrew writers.

PREREQUISITE - HEBR 190 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.                          

Instructor - Na’ama Haklai

 

HEBR-393*/0.5  Reading Modern Hebrew Literature

Winter Course
Selections from current Israeli media including music, newspapers and television, as well as from modern Hebrew prose and poetry. The selections are studied in Hebrew. Assignments may be submitted in English. 

Instructor - Na’ama Haklai

 

 

Jewish Studies Program

 Queen’s University

Kingston, Ontario, Canada