Students can receive a minor in Hebrew through the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics. Hebrew can also be used to fulfill and major requirements in Middle East Studies, Religion, and International Affairs.
FSU offers a full sequence of both Modern and Biblical Hebrew: With Modern Hebrew, students will develop competence in the four skills necessary for communication in any foreign language: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. While students primarily interested in communicating in the language of contemporary Israel will want to take the Modern Hebrew sequence, students interested primarily in Biblical and Rabbinic Hebrew will also find some knowledge of Modern Hebrew helpful in reinforcing and solidifying their knowledge of basic grammar and vocabulary, as well as in increasing their confidence in reading unvocalized texts.
The focus of Biblical Hebrew is to learn the grammar and vocabulary of Classical Hebrew as quickly and thoroughly as possibly in order to translate the biblical text. Typically six chapters of the Bible are translated during the first year and twelve to fifteen chapters in the third-semester course. Students interested in reading post-biblical Hebrew (including Modern Hebrew) will also find the close reading and grammatical analysis in the Biblical Hebrew courses helpful for improving their reading and translation skills. Biblical Hebrew is especially important for students wanting to read post-Biblical ancient and medieval texts, including the Hebrew of the Siddur (prayer book).
MES Major
The Arabic participates interdisciplinary program for Middle Eastern Studies.
MES Minor
The Middle Eastern studies minor is concerned with the cultures of the Middle East from ancient times to the present. Utilizing the resources of a number of departments and programs, it allows the student to study the region from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Hebrew Minor
The Middle Eastern studies minor is concerned with the cultures of the Middle East from ancient times to the present. Utilizing the resources of a number of departments and programs, it allows the student to study the region from an interdisciplinary perspective.