Faculty of Arts Hebrew and Jewish Studies

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Faculty of Arts

Table of Contents

1. Time commitment to study
2. Language study streams
3. Diploma in Modern Languages (Hebrew)
    3.1. Beginners stream
    3.2. Intermediate stream
    3.3. Post-VCE stream
    3.4. Optional subjects in the DML (Hebrew)
4. Attendance requirement
5. Requirements for a major
6. Diploma in Arts (Jewish Studies)
7. Jewish studies subjects
8. Structuring a major in Hebrew
    8.1. Beginners stream
    8.2. Intermediate stream
    8.3. Post-VCE stream
    8.4. Optional subjects
9. Combined honours entry
10. Combined honours requirements
11. Studying overseas
12. Further study
13. Career opportunities
14. For more information
Subject Lists
    Language subjects
    Optional subjects
        First/second-year subjects
        Second/third-year subjects
        Third/fourth-year subjects
        Fourth-year subjects

The Hebrew and Jewish studies programs are housed within the School of Languages and Linguistics. Subjects cover a range of interests and are drawn from programs in history, art history, cinema studies, classics and archaeology. Although language study is not a formal component of the major in Jewish studies, students are encouraged to complete a Hebrew studies major concurrently.

Hebrew was first taught at the University of Melbourne in 1946 and continues to be a significant influence on scholarly thought and the teaching of Hebrew in Jewish schools and communities throughout Australia. It is the only program in Australia that teaches Hebrew language from beginners to advanced levels and places great emphasis on it as the language of the Bible and the language of modern Israel. Students are able to explore a variety of topics that draw on some of the most comprehensive Hebrew and Jewish archival resources available in Australia.

Study of the language is complemented by subjects that explore Jewish culture, literature and society. Through the study of modern authors and poets, these subjects aim to provide students with knowledge of the language in contemporary contexts and to equip them with skills to undertake critical literary analysis in both Hebrew and English. The Centre for Jewish History and Culture maintains formal international arrangements with universities that provide students with the opportunity to complete some of their studies overseas. The program leads to an articulated structure of higher degree study and provides graduates with highly valued and transferable skills in their vocational pursuits.

The Jewish studies program offers an unparalleled opportunity to study the development of Jewish civilization from its origins to the contemporary world. Jewish studies investigates the history, literature, archaeology, philosophy, enthnography and social theory of Jewish society and culture. Students are encouraged to engage in contemporary debates about ethnicity and identity, assimilation, exile and Diaspora cultures. Students benefit from the interdisciplinary breadth and the opportunity to combine this with options in Hebrew language study. Jewish studies is conducted in a dynamic environment by dedicated teaching staff who are able to draw on the resources of one of the country's leading history programs. Special seminar and public lecture programs are conducted to promote discussion of issues relevant to the Jewish community in Melbourne and Australia today.

1. Time commitment to study

As well as scheduled contact hours for lectures, tutorial and seminars a considerable additional time commitment is needed to complete the academic requirements of each subject.

A subject-specific time commitment to study will be provided by your lecturer or tutor at the beginning of semester to help you schedule your workload and successfully manage your time during the semester. In addition, general estimates of the total time commitment required to study a 12.5-point single semester subject in the Faculty of Arts can be found on Time commitment to study.

2. Language study streams

The School of Languages and Linguistics offers two streams of Hebrew language study:

• Beginners

  • The beginners stream is for students who have little or no knowledge of Hebrew. It is available to students at both first and second year although students intending to complete a major will need to commence their language study in their first year.

• Intermediate

  • The intermediate stream is for students who have some knowledge of Hebrew, but who have not studied Hebrew at VCE level.

• Post-VCE

  • The post-VCE stream is usually only available to students who have obtained a pass in VCE Hebrew, or its equivalent.

The School of Languages and Linguistics determines the language stream in which a student is to enrol. Placement is based on VCE results, other language study record or a placement test.

Stream enrolment remains provisional until confirmed, but may be altered according to the student's needs as determined by the School during the first two weeks of teaching. As far as possible, the School will notify students of any change to their stream enrolment during the first two weeks of semester. Where a change is made in the third or fourth week of semester it will be reported to the Associate Dean (Academic Programs).

3. Diploma in Modern Languages (Hebrew)

The Diploma in Modern Languages (DML) enables students to gain a diploma in language study while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

The DML involves a three-year sequence of language study, totalling a minimum of 100 points. It adds one year to the duration of an ordinary degree course.

The DML (Hebrew) is offered in the beginners, intermediate and post-VCE streams. Hebrew subjects are taken alongside degree subjects in an integrated sequence of study. This must be approved by a faculty course adviser and the Head of Program, Hebrew studies. See Diploma in Modern Languages.

3.1. Beginners stream

3.2. Intermediate stream

3.3. Post-VCE stream

3.4. Optional subjects in the DML (Hebrew)

4. Attendance requirement

A threshold requirement for the acceptance of work for evaluation is attendance at all classes. This is a minimum of 75 per cent attendance.

5. Requirements for a major

A major in Hebrew usually consists of 112.5 points comprising:

• three first-year subjects in Hebrew (37.5 points) including 183-130 Introduction to Modern Jewish Culture; and

• three second-year subjects in Hebrew (37.5 points) including one optional subject; and

• three third-year subjects in Hebrew (37.5 points) including one optional subject.

A major in Jewish studies usually consists of 100 points comprising:

• one first-year subject (183-130 Introduction to Modern Jewish Culture); and

• seven second/third -year subjects from the Jewish studies subjects listed below (87.5 points).

A major in Jewish studies may or may not include language study in Hebrew. However, students wishing to undertake combined honours in Jewish studies must complete two semesters of Hebrew language study or an approved equivalent within the course of the BA degree. They must also complete a major in another program.

6. Diploma in Arts (Jewish Studies)

The Diploma in Arts (Jewish Studies) is only available to students who are currently enrolled in a degree course at the University of Melbourne. It consists of a three-year sequence of study, and adds one year to the duration of your degree.

Students must complete 183-130 Introduction to Modern Jewish Culture and 87.5 points of second/third-year subjects selected from the list of Jewish studies subjects below. Alternatively, students who have completed appropriate background studies at first year may complete 100 points of second/third-year subjects from the list below.

7. Jewish studies subjects

8. Structuring a major in Hebrew

A major in Hebrew studies usually takes one of the following forms.

8.1. Beginners stream

8.2. Intermediate stream

8.3. Post-VCE stream

8.4. Optional subjects

9. Combined honours entry

Currently there is no pure honours program in Hebrew or Jewish studies. However, combined honours is available in Jewish studies. This means that students must combine fourth-year honours in Jewish studies with another area of study in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Melbourne.

The prerequisites for entry to combined honours in Jewish studies are:

• completion of all the requirements for the BA; and

• completion of a major in Hebrew studies or a major in Jewish studies which must include two semesters of Hebrew language study; and

• an average grade of H2B or higher over the second/third-year subjects within the major; and

• admission to honours in another program within the Faculty of Arts.

For information on how to apply see Applying for Honours.

10. Combined honours requirements

Students undertaking combined honours in Jewish studies and another program must complete:

• 183-518 Hebrew and Jewish Studies Thesis (37.5 points); and

• two honours subjects in Jewish studies chosen from the list below (totalling 25 points); and

• three honours subjects in the combining discipline (totalling 37.5 points).

or

• honours thesis in the combining discipline (37.5 points); and

• two honours subjects in the combining discipline (totalling 25 points); and

• three honours subjects in Jewish studies (totalling 37.5 points).

Students should note that they are encouraged to complete at least one semester of Hebrew language study at intermediate or advanced level (12.5 points) in their first semester of honours study. Consult the list of language study subjects above and Hebrew and Jewish Studies.

11. Studying overseas

Suitably qualified students may include subjects completed at an accredited overseas university as part of the second/third-year component of their Jewish studies major. Formal arrangements exist with the Rothberg International School of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Tel Aviv University Lowy School for Overseas Students and the Oxford One-Year Program in Jewish Studies. In certain cases, financial assistance for overseas study may be arranged in consultation with the program convener. Interested students should consult the Faculty of Arts Office regarding credit and the International Centre for application forms and information on the programs.

Students proceeding to overseas study must have the permission of the Director of Jewish studies and the Faculty of Arts before commencing their overseas study. See Studying overseas for credit.

12. Further study

The Jewish studies program leads to an articulated structure of higher degree study and provides graduates with highly valued and transferable skills in their vocational pursuits.

13. Career opportunities

Graduates who have majored in Hebrew studies have found employment as teachers, academics, translators, interpreters, writers, journalists, editors and in various areas of the public service and professions serving local Jewish communities.

14. For more information

Dr Dvir Abramovich
School of Languages and Linguistics
Room 250, Old Arts Building
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: + 61 3 8344 3789
Web: http://www.hebrew.unimelb.edu.au

Language subjects

183-111 Hebrew 1A
183-112 Hebrew 1B
183-113 Hebrew 2A
183-114 Hebrew 2B
183-115 Hebrew 2C
183-116 Hebrew 2D
183-128 Beginners Ancient (Biblical) Hebrew A
183-129 Beginners Ancient (Biblical) Hebrew B
183-117 Hebrew 3A
183-118 Hebrew 3B
183-119 Hebrew 3C
183-120 Hebrew 3D
183-400 Hebrew 4A
183-401 Hebrew 4B
183-402 Hebrew 4C
183-403 Hebrew 4D

Optional subjects

First/second-year subjects

Second/third-year subjects

Third/fourth-year subjects

Fourth-year subjects

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