Hebrew (Modern)

About the major

Modern Hebrew is the standard form of Hebrew used today, spoken by about nine million people.

The Modern Hebrew program at the University of Sydney is a holistic language learning program which covers the five skills of language in-use: listening, speaking, reading, writing and cultural awareness. Throughout the major you will develop and expand your proficiency in these five language and cultural skills. The language you will use is, primarily, spoken daily speech; yet over the course of the major you will have opportunities to study a range of genres and text types both spoken and written, from media to prose and poetry.

By the end of your major you will have mastered the ability to use Modern Hebrew in a wide variety of contexts and situations and you will gain an understanding of how to discuss and analyse the linguistic features of Modern Hebrew, as well as the literature and culture associated with the language.

The Modern Hebrew Program offers several entry points depending on your previous knowledge and usage of the language. Following the completion of a placement test, you are directed to the unit best suited for your level of knowledge. Once in the program you will enjoy a clear learning progression.
Due to the close congruency between the local Modern Hebrew program and the programs offered by the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, you will have the opportunity to complete some of your studies at the Hebrew University.

Requirements for completion

A major in Modern Hebrew requires 48 credit points from the Unit of Study table including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level language units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level language units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000 or 3000-level culture units
(iv) 12 credit points of 3000-level language units
(v) 6 credit points of 3000-level Interdisciplinary Project units

A minor in Modern Hebrew requires 36 credit points from the Unit of Study table including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level language units
(ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level language units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000 or 3000-level culture units
(iv) 6 credit points of 3000-level language units

First year

The units available for the first year are HBRW1011 Foundations of Modern Hebrew I and HBRW1102 Foundations of Modern Hebrew II. If you have no previous knowledge of Modern Hebrew, you should enrol in these 1000 level units.

The introductory Modern Hebrew units teach the skills necessary for speaking, reading and writing Modern Hebrew. These are the basic skills for future academic study of Modern Hebrew. The ability to communicate with speakers of the language as well as interact with a range of text types produced in Modern Hebrew provide the foundation for further study.

The Foundation Modern Hebrew units provide a relatively easy level entry point to more advanced engagement with Modern Hebrew discourse.

Second year

The 2000 level units, which include HBRW2603, 2604, 2631 and 2632, build on the foundation skills of speaking, reading and writing in Modern Hebrew introduced in the first year units and cover more advanced communicative and literacy skills. As you progress in your usage and knowledge of Modern Hebrew your oral communication skills continue to be fostered, and you have further opportunities to engage in a variety of genres and text types from higher registers of the language.

Third year

In the 3000 level units, HBRW3610, 3611, 3612, and 3613, you progressively engage with higher registers of the language. You extend the level and repertoire of your oral discourse, which now include a component of individual research presentation. As well, you continue to engage in a range and variety of non-modified Modern Hebrew sources and text types, which include analysis of both short stories and TV series. These introduce you to more complex social and cultural aspects that are imbedded in a variety of Modern Hebrew text types.

Pathways through the major

The Introductory pathway
2 language units at level 1000; 2 language units at level 2000; 2 language units at level 3000 + 1 culture unit at level 2000 or 3000 + 1 Interdisciplinary Project unit at 3000 level
Year 1: HBRW 1011 + HBRW 1102
Year 2: HBRW2603 + HBRW2604
Year 3: HBRW3610 + HBRW3612 + 1 culture unit at level 2000 or 3000 + 3000-level Interdisciplinary Project unit

The Intermediate pathway
0 units at level 1000; 4 language units at level 2000; 2 language units at level 3000 + 1 culture unit at level 2000 or 3000 + 1 Interdisciplinary Project unit at 3000 level
Year 1: HBRW2603 + HBRW2604
Year 2: HBRW2631 + HBRW2632 + 1 culture unit at level 2000 or 3000
Year 3: HBRW3610 + HBRW3611 + 3000-level Interdisciplinary Project unit

The Advanced pathway
0 units at level 1000; 2 language units at level 2000 + 4 language unit at level 3000 + 1 culture unit at level 2000 or 3000 + 1 Interdisciplinary Project unit at 3000 level
Year 1: HBRW2631 + HBRW2632
Year 2: HBRW3610 + HBRW3611 + 1 culture unit at level 3000
Year 3: HBRW3612 + HBRW3613 + 3000-level Interdisciplinary Project unit

Honours

If you commenced your degree prior to 2018, admission to honours requires a major in Modern Hebrew with an average of 70% or above.

If you commenced your degree in 2018, admission to honours is via the Bachelor of Advanced Studies and requires the completion of a major in Modern Hebrew with an average of 70% or above. You will need to ensure you have completed all other requirements of the Bachelor of Arts, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units and a second major, prior to commencing honours.

The honours year affords you an even broader exposure to Modern Hebrew which involves a high level usage of the language as well as a deeper understanding and knowledge of its linguistic features. It allows you to take advanced seminars and it culminates with the completion of a research thesis on a topic of your choice, which you can write in either English or Hebrew.

All students may qualify for the honours year, regardless of the language level at which they commenced.

An example of a combination of units for honours would consist of HBRW3610-3613.

Advanced coursework

The requirements for advanced coursework in Hebrew (Modern) are described in the degree resolutions for the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies.

24 credit points of advanced study will be included in the table for 2020.

Contact and further information

Program website: sydney.edu.au/arts/hebrew_biblical_jewish_studies

For further information on the Modern Hebrew major contact:
Dr Yona Gilead