Hebrew Studies Minor (JWST)

College of Arts and Humanities
School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
http://sllc.umd.edu/hebrew/

Program Director: Avital Karpman, Ph.D. 

The minor in Hebrew is an interdisciplinary program offered through the cooperation of the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (SLLC) and the Jewish Studies Program.

The minor in Hebrew will prepare students to function in a wide variety of communicative situations in Hebrew-speaking settings. Students will hone their skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking and cultural understanding. The minor consists of 16 or more credits from five courses and includes required advanced language courses and electives in topics such as Israeli literature, Israel studies and Zionism, Israeli cinema and Hebrew Bible.

To make an appointment to explore or declare a minor go to: http://arhu.umd.edu/academics/undergraduate-studies/minors/.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking corresponding with the ACTFL definition of advanced-high.
2. Students will show an in-depth understanding of aspects of Israeli culture.

The Minor in Hebrew Studies consists of at least 16 credits from five courses.

Additional restrictions:

• Nine credits of the minor must be at the upper level (300/400).
• No more than six credits (two courses) may count toward both the student’s major and the Hebrew minor.
• No more than one upper-division course may be taken in English translation.
• Independent study and special courses offered in Winter and Summer terms may be counted toward the Minor with the approval of the Advisor.
• No more than six credits (one or two courses) may be taken at an institution other than the University of Maryland, College Park. All upper-division credits to be applied to the minor must be taken at this university.
• No course with an earned grade below “C-” may count toward the minor.
• An overall GPA of 2.0 in the minor is required for graduation.

Prerequisites

These courses, or similar background experience and Foreign Language Placement Assessment scores are pre-requisites and do not count toward the minor. Please note that course numbers may change, and students may place out of some of the courses.

Requirements for the Minor

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Three or more credits required from these previously offered courses, or other relevant courses in Jewish literature, Israeli film, Biblical Hebrew, etc. may be approved by the advisor.

Note: it may be possible to arrange with JWST and ISRL professors to provide course texts and accept assignments in Hebrew rather than English. The language of instruction is often related to the proficiency abilities of the students in the class.

Note: Students who place into the advanced level may take HEBR313, HEBR314, and HEBR249. They must replace HEBR207 (a required course at the intermediate level) with the equivalent number of credits, selected in consultation with, or with the approval of, the Advisor. 

The advisor meets with minor students when they declare their interest in the minor and again whenever students need to adjust their curricular plan. At the initial meeting, which should occur at least a year before graduation, the advisor helps the student map out a course of study within the program. The advisor is also responsible for assessing the completion of the requirements for the minor.