The Major (Biblical and Modern)
Total units required: 47. First and second level language study, 20 units, plus 27 upper-level units, no more than 12 of which may be language courses.
Required Courses
The prerequisites for a major in Hebrew include successful completion of the first two levels of language study (MHBR 105D Beginning Modern Hebrew I, MHBR 106D Beginning Modern Hebrew II, MHBR 151D Advanced Beginning Modern Hebrew I, MHBR 213D Intermediate Modern Hebrew I, MHBR 214D Intermediate Modern Hebrew II) or its equivalent and either JNE 208F History, Text and Identity: Introduction to Jewish Civilization or JNE 350 Israeli Culture and Society.
Required upper-level courses for the major include language courses at the third-year or higher levels. Hebrew majors must take at least two semesters of fourth-level Modern Hebrew (MHBR 401W Seminar in Hebrew Literature, MHBR 4010 Fourth-Level Modern Hebrew I, MHBR 402 Fourth-Level Modern Hebrew II, MHBR 420 Topics in Modern Hebrew Literature or MHBR 421 Study of Selected Texts in Modern Hebrew Literature), as well as a minimum of one semester of classical Hebrew (BHBR 384 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew, BHBR 385D Topics in Biblical Hebrew Texts, or BHBR 440 Topics in Rabbinic Texts). All students are expected to maintain a minimum grade of B– in language classes.
In addition, Hebrew majors must complete 15 units of relevant upper-level literature, culture and civilization courses, chosen in consultation with their adviser. (Please note that many courses in Near Eastern literatures and cultures can be found under Religious Studies, Comparative Literature or Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies.) Unless a student is writing an honors thesis or fulfilling a capstone requirement for a second major, he or she also is required to take the departmental capstone course during the senior year.
Additional Information
Study Abroad: Students are strongly encouraged to participate in Washington University-approved study abroad programs in Israel, Egypt and other countries of the Middle East. Study abroad is usually during the junior year and after a minimum of one year of language study at Washington University. Students who participate in Washington University-sponsored and/or -approved overseas programs normally are able to apply most or all of these units to their undergraduate degree, although no more than 9 upper-level units may be applied to the major. However, all transfer of credit is subject to review and approval by the department and the Study Abroad office.
Transfer Credit: Normally no more than 6 units of credit earned at an institution other than Washington University (this does not include Washington University-approved study-abroad programs) may be applied to the major, and no more than 3 units toward the minor.
Senior Honors: For more information on Senior Honors Thesis Guidelines or to access the Honors Thesis Evaluation Form, please visit jinelc.wustl.edu/undergraduate/senior-honors-guidelines-and-evaluation-form.
The Minor
Units required: 15–29
Required courses: Students pursuing a minor in Hebrew are required to complete a minimum of two years of language (MHBR 105D Beginning Modern Hebrew I, MHBR 106D Beginning Modern Hebrew II, MHBR 151D Advanced Beginning Modern Hebrew I, MHBR 213D Intermediate Modern Hebrew I, MHBR 214D Intermediate Modern Hebrew II) taken in residence and at least 9 units of literature or culture courses chosen in consultation with their minor adviser. Upon placement out of language courses, students are required to take a total of 15 units in literature or culture courses, of which at least one course should be in literature. No more than 3 units can be earned through transfer credit or Study Abroad. Note that at least 12 units of the minor may not be counted toward any other major or minor.