University of Washington
Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures
Modern Hebrew Prose
MODHEB 408
Professor Naomi Sokokloff
Autumn 2023
Hybrid course
TTh 2:30-4:20 **
**This course will meet once a week for two hours in person. The rest of the course will be online, 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. 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. Coursework in Autumn 2023 will emphasize translation, and we'll talk about translation theory as well as producing translations of authentic texts.
Prerequisite: MODHEB 203/523 (intermediate Modern Hebrew) or permission of instructor.
Please be aware: This course is open to students with varying skills in Hebrew. Which is fine! Whether you have just completed second-year Modern Hebrew at UW, have taken an ulpan course at level gimmel but maybe that was a while ago, are a near-native speaker but haven't studied Hebrew in a formal setting, or something else, we can tailor assignments to meet your skill level. Working together on a translation project, we all have things to learn from one another. Grades are not a zero sum game; students at different levels can all earn strong grades in this course.
Required Texts
**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). Either word-processing or handwriting is fine. Be sure to double-space.
- Review of verbs and completion of verb exercises.
- Students will prepare translations of an authentic Hebrew text.
- Each student will present to the rest of the class a sample of the translation and discuss choices in wording and phrasing.
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%
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.
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.