Students
AHIS1140 – Ancient Hebrew A
2020 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Kyle Keimer
Contact via email
B157, Arts Building
by appointment
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces students of ancient history to study of the Ancient Hebrew language. It provides a systematic introduction to the script, grammar (especially morphology and basic syntax,and vocabulary. The unit also aims to help students develop the skills necessary for reading original Ancient Hebrew texts,and explores the significance of Ancient Hebrew for the study of relevant ancient cultures. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Recognise and recall ancient Hebrew script and phonetic structure
- ULO2: Learn Hebrew vocabularly and grammatical structures at elementary level
- ULO3: Recognise and memorise foundational Hebrew vocabulary
- ULO4: Assess the grammar required for the translation of simple Hebrew texts
- ULO5: Integrate knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in reading and/or writing simple Hebrew texts
- ULO6: Recognize and recall linguistic technical terms
General Assessment Information
Each assessment task will be judged by the number of actual correct answers expressed as a percentage of possible correct answers.
To successfully complete the unit the student will need to gain a 50% or better.
Please note: unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests
IMPORTANT NOTE ON FINAL MARKS: Please note with respect to the marks you receive for work during the session: that the marks given are indicative only; final marks will be determined after moderation. See further the note on Results in the Policies and Procedures section below.
In the case of illness or misadventure which may effect the student's capacity to complete the assessment tasks in the expected timeframe, students must lodge a claim for Special Consideration - please see policy section below.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translation exercises | 35% | No | Continuous |
| Final Exam | 40% | No | Week 13 |
| Mid-term Exam | 25% | No | Week 7 |
Translation exercises
Assessment Type 1: Translation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 39 hours
Due: Continuous
Weighting: 35%
Translation exercises
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognise and recall ancient Hebrew script and phonetic structure
- Learn Hebrew vocabularly and grammatical structures at elementary level
- Recognise and memorise foundational Hebrew vocabulary
- Assess the grammar required for the translation of simple Hebrew texts
- Integrate knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in reading and/or writing simple Hebrew texts
- Recognize and recall linguistic technical terms
Final Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 9 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
2 hour Final Exam
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognise and recall ancient Hebrew script and phonetic structure
- Learn Hebrew vocabularly and grammatical structures at elementary level
- Recognise and memorise foundational Hebrew vocabulary
- Assess the grammar required for the translation of simple Hebrew texts
- Integrate knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in reading and/or writing simple Hebrew texts
- Recognize and recall linguistic technical terms
Mid-term Exam
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 9 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%
A 2-hour Mid-term Exam (total hours includes time spent studying for the exam)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Recognise and recall ancient Hebrew script and phonetic structure
- Learn Hebrew vocabularly and grammatical structures at elementary level
- Recognise and memorise foundational Hebrew vocabulary
- Assess the grammar required for the translation of simple Hebrew texts
- Integrate knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in reading and/or writing simple Hebrew texts
- Recognize and recall linguistic technical terms
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
The unit is run as a three-hour seminar online.
The iLearn site is an important resource for class discussion and accessing extra learning materials. Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone may not be sufficient. For technical support go to: http://mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/informatics/help For student quick guides on the use of iLearn go to: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/guides.htm
Reading requirements
The text to be used is Elementary Biblical Hebrew: An Introductory Grammar. G. Athas & I. M. Young. Fifth Edition. (Croydon Park, NSW: Ancient Vessel Press, 2016). It is available for purchase from Reformers Bookshop, and can be ordered from them online: http://reformers.org.au/ The textbook can be posted to students from the bookstore for an additional cost.
As the student's skills with Hebrew develop, we will begin to read and translate passages of the biblical text. It would be useful for students to have a Hebrew Bible to start reading the actual text. There are two recommended versions of the Hebrew Bible: 1) The Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS) compiled by K. Ellinger and W. Rudolph (Deutshce Bibelgesellschaft: Stuttgart). This is the main version of the Hebrew Bible used by scholars. [You can purchase it online in hardback or paperback for an affordable price]; or, 2) A Reader's Hebrew Bible compiled by A. Philip Brown II and Bryan W. Smith (Zondervan: Grand Rapids, MI). This is the version that will be used in Hebrew C. Each page includes footnoted vocabulary that occurs less than 100 times. It uses the same Hebrew text as BHS but has the added vocabulary help.
As you develop your Hebrew skills you will still find it useful to read biblical passages in English. Access to an English translation is also highly recommended (though it should not be a crutch for translating!)
What Bible version should I use? It is best to work from a more “literal” translation of the Bible such as the New Revised Standard Version, or the English Standard Version because they better reflect the original structure of the Hebrew language. There are many suitable Bibles, so if in doubt, ask. Online websites such as Bible Gateway provide free access to multiple versions. While a dynamic equivalence translation like the Good News Bible is great for reading, it is harder to see the contours of the original texts and so is not so useful for scholarly work.
Online glossary of terms used in Biblical Studies: http://www.read-the-bible.org/glossary.html
Unit Schedule
In weeks 1-13, we will work through the first half of the course textbook. The first week is focused on learning the Hebrew script. Although this course assumes no prior knowledge, it is recommended that students work towards familiarising themselves with the Hebrew alphabet as early as possible (even prior to the first class, if practicable) in order to provide a firm foundation for the semester of study.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.