The minor in Hebrew was created due to interest expressed by many students who wanted to focus specifically on Modern Hebrew Language. Students declaring the Hebrew minor include International Studies majors with concentrations in the Middle East, Religious Studies majors, and those from a wide range of majors who desire a more in depth command of the Hebrew Language.
To minor in Modern Hebrew, students must take four courses:
- Three Modern Hebrew language courses above the 203 level**
- One content course from the list below
AMST 253 [53]: Jewish Women in America
ENGL 289 [49J]: Jewish-American Literature and Culture of the Twentieth Century
GERM 056 [006I]: Germans, Jews, and the History of Antisemitism
GERM 270 [61]: German Culture and the Jewish Question
HIST 262 [50]: History of the Holocaust: The Destruction of the European Jews
HIST 276 [77A]: The Modern Middle East
HIST 277 [77B]: The Conflict over Israel/Palestine
HIST 538 [197]: The Middle East and the West
RELI 103 [21]: Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Literature
RELI 106 [24]: Introduction to Early Judaism
RELI 107 [34]: Introduction to Modern Judaism
RELI 110 [28]: The Archaeology of Palestine in the New Testament Period
RELI 205 [55]: Legends of Genesis
RELI 206 [57]: Prophecy and Divination in Ancient Israel and Judah
RELI 343 [79]: Religion in Modern Israel
RELI 401 [113]: Biblical Hebrew
RELI 402 [114]: Biblical Hebrew
RELI 403 [115]: Intermediate Classical Hebrew
RELI 404 [116]: Intermediate Classical Hebrew
RELI 503 [122]: Exploring the Dead Sea Scrolls
RELI 512 [111]: Ancient Synagogues
RELI 602 [126]: What are the Holy Scriptures? The Formation of the Hebrew Canon
Overview of all courses in Hebrew
HEBR 101-102 [HEBR 1-2]. Elementary Modern Hebrew. The sequence 1,2 introduces the essential elements of modern Hebrew structure and vocabulary and aspects of modern Israeli culture. Aural comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing are stressed in that order.
HEBR 203-204 [HEBR 3-4]. Intermediate Modern Hebrew. Modern Hebrew 3,4 is a two-semester sequence designed to increase reading and writing skills. An introduction to representative literary works is included. Aural comprehension and speaking skills are also stressed.
HEBR 305-306 [HEBR 5-6]. Advanced Modern Hebrew. Students will read and analyze the literary works of well known Hebrew writers including Amos Oz, A.B. Yehoshua, Aharon Meged, Savyon Liebrecht, Yehuda Amichai, S.Y. Agnon, and others.
**The language courses for the minor are 204, 305, 306. What about HEBR 101, 102, 203? Those don't count (technically) as minor courses, but if you are a beginner in Hebrew, obviously they would be necessary as a prerequisite before you could start taking language courses for the minor. So while it's true that the minor requires four courses, since the minor courses have prerequisites, it's also true that someone beginning in Hebrew would need to take 7 courses to finish the minor. HEBR 101, 102, 203 would count for the general College language requirement, and HEBR 204, 305, 306 would then count toward the minor.
If, on the other hand, you had prior Hebrew knowledge, and were able to place into 204, then you could just start right in on the minor courses. Students interested in the minor whose initial Hebrew placement is above 204 should consult with Lori Harris, leharris@email.unc.edu.