COURSE: HEBREW STUDIES 401
SURVEY OF MODERN HEBREW LITERATURE

Fall 2006

 

Instructor: Prof.Rachel F. Brenner

1354 Van Hise

262-6102

 e-mail: brenner@wisc.edu

Classes: MWF 1:20-2:10

Office Hours: MW 11:30-12:30, or by appointment



MAJOR THEMES

 

1. Introduction - What is a living language?

2. The European Enlightenment -- Emmanuel Kant

3. Haskalah and the revival of Hebrew - Moses Mendelssohn

4. Modern Hebrew Literature Y. L. Gordon, Tchernichovsky, Bialik.

5. The collapse of the Haskalah ideal and the beginning of Zionism: Theodor Herzl.

 

Objectives: We shall focus on developing the skills of reading, discussing, and writing in the context of the studied texts. Comprehension of the influence of the historical process of the European Enlightenment on the Haskhalah and the ensuing revival of the Hebrew language and Modern Hebrew literature is the conceptual focus of the course. The course also examines the role Modern Hebrew literature played in shaping the Zionist movement.

 

Requirements:

This is an intensive writing course. Exact directions concerning submission of the assignments will be given in the first class of the term. The students will pick up graded papers before each class. There is always the option of correcting the assignment and improving the grade. The corrected assignment must be handed in within a week. You have the opportunity to discuss the assignments before class time, since I am in class well ahead of time to answer students' questions. In addition to regular homework assignments, a mid-term essay special lecture assignments, and the final essay are. The students are required to sign up for two presentations - summaries of previous classes, and two presentations of current issues.

 

Please Note: Attendance and participation in class on regular basis are important components of the final grade. Please note that our classes start exactly at 1:20 and students are expected to be on time. Please inform me of any expected lateness or absence ahead of time.

 

 

Grading (the distribution is approximate and is subject to change)

Written assignments - 35%

Mid-term essay - 15%

Lecture Assignments - 10%

Final essay - 25%

Participation (including presentations): - 15%

 

Required Text: Multi-Dictionary: Bilingual Learners- Dictionary and Oxford English-Hebrew Dictionary

 

Other texts will be distributed in class.

Please write the check for $20 for the photocopy expenses to The Dept. of Hebrew and Semitic Studies.

 

Please note: There won't be classes on Oct. 10, Nov. 29 and Dec. Instead students are required to attend lectures (see below) and write a special assignment on each.

 

Lectures:

Aaron Lansky, Dirctor, National Yiddish Book Center, "Outwitting History: How I Rescued a Million Jewish Books," Sept. 27th at 7:30 pm. On Wisconsin Room at Red Gym

 

Prof. Haya Bar-Itzhak, Univ. of Haifa, "Israel and the Jewish Diaspora in Jewish and Israeli Folktale," Oct. 23 at 4 pm. 340 Ingraham Hall

 

Prof. Kalman Bland, Duke University, "Discovering the Visual in Jewish Culture," Wed. Nov. 1 at 7:30 pm. Memorial Union

 

Prof. Nils Romer, University of Southampton, "The German Jewish Past in a Local Key: Mapping Historical Memories between the Provinces and the City," Dec. 11 at 7:30 pm. Memorial Union

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Latest revision date: 8/28/2006  (cad)