University of Washington
Near Eastern Languages and Civilization
Modern Hebrew Prose
MODHEB 408
Professor Naomi Sokokloff
Autumn 2021
Online course
TTh 2:30-4:20 **
**This course will meet once a week for two hours synchronously via Zoom. The rest of the course will be asynchronous. For asynchronous work, assignments (readings, videos, exercises, self-recordings, etc.) will be posted for regular completion, but may be completed by students at their own convenience and submitted by the designated deadlines. Students who are interested in taking this course but have conflicts on Tuesday and/or Thursday afternoons: please contact the instructor to discuss flexibility with scheduling.
Prof. Naomi Sokoloff
220 Denny Hall
Phone: 206-543-7145
e-mail: naosok@u.washington.edu
Office hours: Thursday 10:00-11:30 or by appointment
Course Description
This course presents readings in Modern Hebrew. Texts may include journalism, fiction, creative non-fiction, and/or social media. We will focus on topics chosen by the students in the class. Our aim is to read materials that buttress their research interests and activities. Review of language skills and dictionary work is included in each unit to reinforce the students’ knowledge of Hebrew and to foster improved competence in their reading, writing, and speaking of the language.
Prerequisite: MODHEB 203/523 (intermediate Modern Hebrew) or permission of instructor.
Required Texts
Texts selected by the instructor and by students.
**All of the required readings will be available on the course website. Other materials on the course website include the syllabus and grading scale, voice recordings of some texts, handouts, announcements, and Powerpoint material.
Recommended:
A good dictionary. Morfix is available on-line for free. https://www.morfix.co.il/en/
Keep in mind: Alcalay is a classic. Also good: the Oxford English-Hebrew Dictionary, for help when writing essays.
A verb table, such as Shmuel Bolotzsky’s 501 Hebrew Verbs.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course students a) will have read contemporary texts in Hebrew at an advanced level; b) will have practiced their writing skills in Hebrew and built new vocabulary; c) will have gained greater understanding of the verb binyanim; d) will have acquired knowledge about the cultural background underpinning the required texts; e) will have developed increased translation skills.
Student Responsibilities, Assignments, and Grading Policies
1. Students are expected to attend class prepared to discuss the assigned texts and to participate in short in-class writing assignments.
- There will be two tests, one at midterm and one closer to the end of the quarter
- Two compositions (150-200 words each, in Hebrew), based on our primary texts or on short prose readings assigned in class. These papers may take the form of a summary, a response, an analysis, or a comparison with other readings from a list of recommended readings. Either word-processing or handwriting is fine. Be sure to double-space.
- Review of verbs and completion of verb exercises.
- Each student will choose one text for class discussion and prepare a translation of it.
Calculation of the final grade is as follows:
Tests: 20%
Compositions: 20%
Translation: 20%
Verb exercises and other homework : 20%
Participation, in-class writing 10%
Class presentation: 10%
Grading Scale
98-100 = 4.0
96-97 = 3.9
94-95 = 3.8
92-93 = 3.7
91 = 3.6
90 = 3.5
89 = 3.4
88 = 3.3
87 = 3.2
86 = 3.1
85 = 3.0
84 = 2.9
Etc.
*Compositions are to be submitted on time. After receiving feedback from the instructor, students may rewrite, correcting mistakes, to raise the grade.
ABOUT REMOTE LEARNING
Course Information & Online Resources
Access to both Canvas and Zoom is necessary for completing readings and homework assignments and for earning participation points.
I would rather teach this course in person, but we will find a way to make learning a positive experience under the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 era. Let's be patient with each other and keep a sense of humor!!
Types of Communication
In an online course, our communication will visible to all. For private communication, we will use individual email and Zoom office hours.
Online Course Policies
Expectations of students:
- Come to class fully prepared.
- Attend all online sessions and actively participate in the forum.
- Complete assignments on time. If difficulties turn up (such as illness, caring for others who are ill, technological problems, working from home where children need attention, etc.), let me know. We will figure out what to do to keep your learning on track.
- Abide by the standards of academic honesty and student code of conduct.
- Seek help. I’ll do my best to help you succeed in this class.
- Have access to a camera and audio. The expectation is that you will be visible/audible to me and to your classmates, but you can control those options. If you are not feeling well and want to listen in but not speak up or be seen, we will accommodate those circumstances. And, if the servers/processors/whatevers are overburdened and the video is slowing down or disrupting our communication, we'll adapt as necessary to those circumstances.
- I plan to record Zoom sessions. The recording will capture the presenter’s audio, video and computer screen. Student audio and video will be recorded if they share their computer audio and video during the recorded session. The recordings will only be accessible to students enrolled in the course to review materials. These recordings will not be shared with or accessible to the public.
The University and Zoom have FERPA-compliant agreements in place to protect the security and privacy of UW Zoom accounts. Students who do not wish to be recorded should:
- Change their Zoom screen name to hide any personal identifying information such as their name or UW Net ID, and
- Not share their computer audio or video during their Zoom sessions.
- Discuss this matter with the instructor to set clear expectations for student work during the quarter.
Course Etiquette:
- Get to class on time. Test your camera and audio prior to class time.
- In general, it is good policy to "mute" yourself during a Zoom meeting, until you are ready to speak to the entire group. Keep phones and other devices from making background noise or disruption.
- Respect each other.
MORE POLICIES
If you would like to request academic accommodations due to a disability please contact Disability Resources for Students (uwdrs@uw.edu or 206-543-8924 (voice and relay). More information is available at https://depts.washington.edu/uwdrs/ (Links to an external site.)
In cases of academic misconduct, such as plagiarism or receiving inappropriate assistance on an assignment, offending students will be penalized in accordance with the policy of the College of Arts and Sciences. If you are unsure what constitutes plagiarism or how to properly attribute credit to source materials, consult with the instructor.
Please keep a copy of all graded work. This is very useful in case the instructor’s record of grades is lost or damaged, or in case the student wishes to discuss a grade. Protect yourself by keeping a copy.
Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/) (Links to an external site.). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/) (Links to an external site.).
For additional guidelines on academic integrity, Incompletes, grade appeal, concerns about an instructor, equal opportunity, disability accommodations, absences due to religious observances, sexual harassment, and safety, see the homepage of our course website and the following link:
If any students have concerns about this course that cannot be resolved with the instructor, they may turn to Humanities Advising Services for assistance.
By enrolling in this class students make a commitment to regular attendance and class participation. Continued enrollment signifies that they have received a copy of this syllabus and that they have been notified of the requirements and grading policies for the course.
FYI:
It is important that we take care of ourselves inside and outside of class by learning how to care for our body, mind and spirit. Toward that end, there are many different kinds of support services on campus, including the Counseling Center, Hall Health, and the IMA. If you are concerned about yourself or a friend who is struggling, Safecampus, at 1-800-685-7233, is a very helpful resources to learn more about how to access campus-based support services. Please save the number for Safecampus, 1-800-685-7233, into your cell phones.