Hebrew: Language, Literature, Culture (including courses in English)

View courses in

  • CAS LH 111: Fundamentals of Modern Hebrew 1
    For students with no previous knowledge of Hebrew or minimal background. Introduction to the language of contemporary Israel. Fundamentals of grammar, extensive practice in speaking, reading, and writing about topics such as getting acquainted, learning and living situations. Curriculum incorporates technology and original Israeli materials. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community.
    • The Individual in Community
  • CAS LH 139: Intensive First-Year Hebrew
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: Hebrew vocabulary of 50-100 words; basic reading skills; cursive script; or permission of instructor.
    Intensive beginning Hebrew for students with some prior knowledge. Equivalent to Fundamentals of Modern Hebrew 1 & 2 (CAS LH 111 & 112). Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community.
    • The Individual in Community
  • CAS LH 211: Intermediate Modern Hebrew 1
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LH 112; or the equivalent as determined by placement test.
    Reinforces and expands vocabulary, grammar and language structures, leading to a deeper comprehension of style and usage. Focuses on language skills (speaking and writing) and performing more complex tasks such as comparing, narrating, describing, reasoning, and discussing topics beyond the immediate environment. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: The Individual in Community.
    • The Individual in Community
  • CAS LH 212: Intermediate Modern Hebrew 2
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LH 211; or the equivalent as determined by placement test.
    Expands vocabulary, grammar, language structures and communicative skills to enable students to achieve solid proficiency. Develops students' ability to respond orally and in writing to literary texts and audio- visual material such as Israeli films, television clips, and news. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
    • The Individual in Community
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
  • CAS LH 250: Masterpieces of Modern Hebrew Literature (taught in English)
    Narrative prose by major writers from nineteenth-century Eastern Europe to present-day Israel, including works of S.Y. Agnon, Dvora Baron, A.B. Yehoshua, Amos Oz, Shalev, Etgar Keret, Sayed Kashua, and Orly Castel-Bloom. Focus on the struggle to forge modern identity in the domains of family, nation, religion and Middle East. Required for the minor in Hebrew. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Aesthetic Exploration, Creativity/Innovation.
    • Aesthetic Exploration
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Creativity/Innovation
  • CAS LH 283: Israeli Culture through Film (taught in English)
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: First-Year Writing Seminar (WR 120 or equivalent)
    Israeli society, from its origins to contemporary times, through the medium of film. Topics include immigration; war; the impact of the Holocaust; trials of women; the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Introduction to film analysis and interpretive methods. Required for the Hebrew minor. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Aesthetic Exploration.
    • Aesthetic Exploration
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS LH 284: Israel: History, Politics, Culture, Identity (taught in English)
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
    Using a broad array of readings, popular music, documentaries, film and art, this course explores Israel's political system, culture, and society, including the status of minorities in the Jewish state; post-1967 Israeli settlement projects; and the struggle for Israel's identity. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing- Intensive Course, The Individual in Community, Critical Thinking.
    • The Individual in Community
    • Critical Thinking
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS LH 311: Advanced Modern Hebrew: Voices in Israeli Society
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LH 212; or the equivalent as determined by placement test.
    This course provides advanced language practice and introduction to globally diverse groups in Israeli society: Orthodox and secular, immigrants and veteran immigrants, Mizrahi and Ashkenazi Jews, Arab-Israelis and more. Through reading a variety of academic and newspapers articles, short stories, poems and viewing interviews, documentaries and movies, students will enhance their interpretation, writing and oral skills while acquiring fundamental knowledge about ethnic/religious/national/social diversity in Israel. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Digital/Multimedia Expression.
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
  • CAS LH 312: Sixth-Semester Hebrew: Food Culture in Israel
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LH 311; or placement test results.
    This course is taught in Hebrew. Israel has a rich cuisine that reflects the diversity of Israeli society, Jewish and Arab culinary traditions, and a wide range of regional influences. Through viewing and reading a variety of authentic materials, students will enhance their language and cultural proficiency. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Creativity/Innovation.
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Creativity/Innovation
  • CAS LH 330: Israeli Popular Music
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LH 212; or consent of instructor.
    Advanced-intermediate Hebrew language and culture course for those who have completed at least four semesters of college Hebrew or equivalent. Introduction to Israeli cultural history through music. Students expand vocabulary and develop writing, reading, listening, and conversational skills in Hebrew. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Creativity/Innovation.
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
    • Creativity/Innovation
  • CAS LH 340: Israeli Culture though Media
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LH 212; or consent of instructor.
    An advanced Hebrew language course, which uses as its "textbook" Israeli newspapers, television, and online news media. Students follow current events in Israel (politics, business, sports, etc.); compare coverage in diverse outlets; speak and write knowledgeably about Israeli society. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Digital/Multimedia Expression.
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
  • CAS LH 453: Israeli Culture through Film
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LH 311; or equivalent.
    Advanced Hebrew language course, developing Hebrew comprehension and skills of film analysis and interpretation. Israeli society, from its origins to contemporary times, through the medium of film. Topics include immigration; religious life; war; the Holocaust; gender; and the Israeli- Palestinian conflict.
  • CAS LH 491: Directed Study: Hebrew
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: consent of department and CAS Advising.
    Application form available in department.
  • CAS LH 492: Directed Study: Hebrew
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: consent of department and CAS Advising.
    Application form available in department.