Announcements:

Mid-Term changed to Monday, Nov 2!

General Information

UW Catalog Course No. SLN 14350

Course Description: Explores select poetic sections of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) in conjunction with English translations and commentaries. Emphasis on close readings, the grammatical insights of textual criticism, and the interpretive strategies and agendas of the English translations. Prerequisite: either HEBR 402 or HEBR 426.

Selected readings on issues of Biblical Hebrew Poetry will be uploaded to the "Readings" page throughout the quarter. These will be incorporated in class discussion. Key issues from these readings will be included in the Mid-Term and Final exams.

Instructor: Gary D. Martin, Ph.D.
Email: garmar@u.washington.edu
Curriculum Vitae

Class Time/Locations:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:30-11:50 AM in Smith 115

Office Location/Hours: Denny 225 (inside the main NELC office, Denny 229).
Office Hours: Tuesday, 10:30 AM - 12:00 noon, and by appointment.

NELC Department: Denny 229; Email: neareast@u.washington.edu

Academic Calendar: 2009-2010

Course Materials

Required Materials:

  • Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS)
  • Brown-Driver-Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon (BDB)
  • Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar, Gesenius-Kautzsch-Cowley (GKC)
    Dover Publications, 2006. ISBN-13: 978-0486443447
  • The Song of Songs and the Ancient Egyptian Love Songs, Michael V. Fox
    University of Wisconsin Press, 1985. ISBN-13: 978-0299100940
  • English translation of the Song, to be divided among students in the course for comparison:

Text Links:

Online Bible Texts
Worksheet files are from: The Westminster Leningrad Codex. Click on "Installation" for fonts.

Grading

  • Assignments: 40%
    Translation and analysis of assigned texts, based on in-class participation and completion of Hebrew text files. (Click here for the file list). 20 assignments. 2% each.
  • Presentation: 10%
    During the second half of the quarter, each student will present an assigned section of the Song of Songs in class. The presentation will consist of the following:
    • Oral reading of the assigned text in Hebrew. 1%
    • The student's own English translation of the assigned text that employs correct English usage while also capturing nuances of the Hebrew text. 2%
    • Comparison of the student's English translation with at least two translations from modern standard versions and/or the commentaries of Fox and Pope, with comments on differences and justification for the student's translation decisions. 2%
    • Grammatical notes: Parsing of weak or difficult verbs and other words, notes from GKC or other grammars. 2%
    • Notes on literary, rhetorical, structural and exegetical issues. 3%
    • EXTRA CREDIT: Text-critical commentary. Up to 2% EC depending on the depth of the text-critical analysis.
  • Quizzes: 10%.
    Best 5 of 6 verb paradigm quizzes at the beginning of the quarter. 2% each quiz.
  • Exams: 40%
    • Mid-term Exam: 20%.
      Monday, November 2. In class. No blue book.
      Translation, Verb Parsing, Literary and Textual Issues
      on material covered during Weeks 1-5.
    • Final Exam: 20%.
      Monday, December 14, 8:30-10:20 AM. In class. No blue book.
      Translation, Verb Parsing, Literary and Textual Issues
      on material covered during Weeks 6-11.
      Final Exam Schedule

Grading Scale

%
Grade
100
4.0
99
4.0
98
4.0
97
4.0
96
3.9
95
3.9
94
3.9
93
3.8
92
3.7
91
3.6
90
3.5
spacer
%
Grade
90
3.5
89
3.4
88
3.3
87
3.2
86
3.1
85
3.0
84
2.9
83
2.8
82
2.7
81
2.6
80
2.5
spacer
%
Grade
80
2.5
79
2.4
78
2.3
77
2.2
76
2.1
75
2.0
74
1.9
73
1.8
72
1.7
71
1.6
70
1.5
spacer
%
Grade
70
1.5
69
1.4
68
1.3
67
1.2
66
1.1
65
1.0
64
0.9
63
0.8
62
0.7
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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