Information Sheet

Fall 2003

Class schedule: MW 10-11 PAR 305, TTH 9:30-11 GAR 3

Instructor: Dr. Esther Raizen

Office: WMB 6.122

Phone: 475-6654

e-mail: raizen@mail.utexas.edu (the best way to reach me)

Office hours: MWTH 11:00-12:00

Teaching assistant: Kinneret Israel

Teaching assistant's office hours: TBA

This course, which is the first in a sequence of four courses, introduces students to the nuts and bolts of Biblical Hebrew. Emphasis is placed on learning how to read the Hebrew Bible, and students are introduced to the basic lexicon and grammar of the language. The approach to the texts is analytical, and students are engaged in reading original Biblical materials from the very first day of class. Texts selected for this class are taken from the most revered episodes narrated in the Hebrew Bible, among them the creation story, the tower of Babylon, and the binding of Isaac.

Class attendance and participation: 20%

Quizzes: 35%

Midterm exam: 15%

Homework assignments: 15%

Final exam: 15%

Prerequisites: None

• Lehmann, Raizen and Hewitt. Biblical Hebrew: An Analytical Introduction. San Antonio: Wings Press (1999, available at the UT Co-Op)

•A Hebrew Bible in English translation (a version of your choice)

Class site: http://www.laits.utexas.edu/hebrew/heblang/bh/508/index.html

•Perfect attendance is required. Excessive tardiness or absence from more than three classes, unless justified, will significantly reduce your class participation grade. Unjustified absence for more than ten hours will result in a failing grade, regardless of grades accumulated in the course.

•Active participation is expected from all students. Perfect attendance does not guarantee a full class participation grade.

•Assignments should be turned in promptly on due date. Late homework will not be accepted for grade. No make-ups will be given for quizzes. Your lowest homework grade and your lowest quiz grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.

•You are expected to spend at least ten hours a week on homework and class preparations.

•A teaching assistant, Kinneret Israel, will provide support at FAC 27. You are required to meet with the TA four times during the semester–please sign up early for these individual sessions. Each session will be considered a homework assignment, and will be graded for completion. At least two of these meetings should take place before the midterm. Failing to keep an appointment with the TA will be considered an absence.

•A minimal grade of "C" in HEB 508 is required for advancing to HEB 509.

August 27: Class begins

September 1: Labor day, holiday

September 12: 12th class day. Last day to drop a course for a possible refund.

October 6: Yom Kippur, no assignment

Week of October 13: Midterm exam

November 27-29: Thanksgiving holiday

December 5: Last class day

December 13: Final exam (7:00-10:00 PM)

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Please sign the following:

I have read the information sheet for Dr. Raizen's HEB 508, and I fully understand the course requirements.

Signed: __________________________________ ________________________