COURSE: HEBREW STUDIES 401
SURVEY OF MODERN HEBREW LITERATURE
Fall 2007

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 Biblical view - The story of the Tower of Babel
3. The European Enlightenment -- Emmanuel Kant
4. Haskalah and the revival of Hebrew - Moses Mendelssohn
5. Modern Hebrew Literature Y. L. Gordon, Tchernichovsky, Bialik.
6. 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 three presentations - summaries of previous classes, and three presentations of current issues.

Please Note: Attendance and participation in class on regular basis are important components of the final grade. Our classes start exactly at 1:20 and students are expected to be on time. You are expected to inform me of any planned 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 $25 for the photocopy expenses to The Dept. of Hebrew and Semitic Studies.

Lectures: You are expected to attend THREE of the lectures listed below and write a report on each lecture you attended. Your attendance at all four lectures will earn you bonus points (2.5%)

Thursday, October 18th - 4:00 pm

The Sanford J. Ettinger Lecture

"Writing of Hope in Times of Despair: Jerusalem in Woman's Eyes" Michal Govrin State Historical Society Auditorium, 816 State Street - LOCATION NOT

CONFIRMED  (ISRAELI LITERATURE)

= = = = = = = = =

October 25th - 7:30 pm

Tobias Lecture

The Secret War of the Ritchie Boys and a Look Behind the Scenes of an

Oscar Nominated (HOLOCAUST STUDIES)

Documentary

Guy Stern

State Historical Society Auditorium, 816 State Street

= = = = = = = =

Monday, November 5th - 7:30 pm

Lubar Lecture

"Interpreting the Word, Hope, Hype and Habit in 50 years of Biblical
Studies"

Leonard J. Greenspoon

Pyle Center Auditorium - 702 Langdon

= = = = = = = = =

Thursday, November 8th - 4:00 pm

"Witness: One of the Great Correspondents of the Twentieth Century Tells

Her Story"  (RESCUE OF JEWS DURING THE HOLOCAUST)

Ruth Gruber, journalist and human rights activist

Alumni Lounge, Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street

If you have trouble accessing this page, contact: Chris Dargis (cadargis@wisc.edu)
Latest revision date: 8/24/2007  (cad)

---