Undergraduate Programs
Department of Hebrew & Semitic Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The Department of Hebrew
and Semitic Studies teaches
Hebrew as a classical and living language and provides the opportunity
to study the literature and thought of the cultures based on that
language,
in particular biblical Israel, medieval Judaism, and modern Israel.
Majors in Hebrew studies are encouraged to spend the junior year at the
Hebrew University in Jerusalem. See the section on Academic Program
Abroad in the Undergraduate Catalog.
The department
offers two tracks toward a B.A. in
Hebrew
and Semitic Studies.
The
Undergraduate Advisor for the Modern Track is Professor Rachel F.
Brenner
and a student must
make
an appointment with him before declaring a Modern Hebrew major.
Professor Brenner's office telephone is
262-6102 and email brenner@wisc.edu
The Undergraduate Advisor for the Biblical Track is Professor Michael
V. Fox and a student must make an appointment with him before declaring
a Biblical Hebrew major. Professor Fox's office telephone is
262-2089 and email mvfox@wisc.edu
Modern Track
The modern sequence requires a minimum of 24 credits in the Hebrew
department courses above Hebrew 202
(4th semester):
- Introduction to Judaism (211),
or Jewish Cultural History (in
English) (377), 4 credits
- Hebrew Literature, 12
credits
Four of the following courses:
Introduction ot Hebrew Literature (301-302), Survey of Modern Hebrew
Literature (401-402); Readings in Contemporary Hebrew Literature
(533-534).
- Electives, minimum 8
credits
Three additional courses in the Hebrew
department, which may include one course in the Jewish Studies program.
Independent study courses may be included among electives, with the
approval of the undergraduate advisor or chair.
The biblical sequence requires a minimum of 24
credits in the Hebrew department above Hebrew 324:
- Introduction to Biblical
Literature
(217), 4 credits
- Biblical Poetry
(513-514),
6 credits
- Electives, minimum 14
credits
Five courses in the Hebrew department,
including two semesters of one additional Semitic language: Aramaic
(601-602), Ugaritic Texts/Canaanite Dialects (603-604), Syriac
(605-606) or one two-semester
advanced text course: Ezekiel (641-642), Isaiah (651-652), Wisdom
Literature (653-654).
Biblical
Track - Effective Fall 2008
Prior to September 2008, adjustments to
current major requirements can be made for individuals.
The
biblical sequence requires a minimum of 24 credits in the Hebrew
department above Hebrew324:
- Introduction
to Biblical Literature (217), 4 credits
- Biblical
Poetry in
Hebrew (513-514), 6 credits
- Two
of the following (6 or
7 credits)
Biblical
Poetry in Translation (237), 3 credits; Prophets of the Bible
(332), 4 credits; Jewish Literature of the Greco-Roman Period (346), 3
credits; The Bible in the Middle Ages (368), 3 credits; History-telling
in the Bible (417), 3 credits.
- Electives,
minimum of 8
credits
Additional
credits in the Hebrew department, 300-level or above. These
may include courses in group 3 not used to fulfill that requirement.
(In practice, it may be necessary to take three 3-credit courses for a
total of 25 credits.
Additional Requirements
In addition, undergraduates must fulfill all
requirements
for the B.A. as established by the College of Letters and Sciences and
by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
If you have trouble accessing this page contact: Chris
Dargis (cadargis@wisc.edu).
Latest revision date: 5/15/2008(cad)