Skip to main content

Hebrew (modern)

The Department of Asian & Middle Eastern Studies offers six semesters of modern Hebrew language:

  • HEBR 101, Elementary Modern Hebrew I (fall only)
  • HEBR 102, Elementary Modern Hebrew II (spring only)
  • HEBR 203, Intermediate Modern Hebrew I (fall only)
  • HEBR 204, Intermediate Modern Hebrew II (spring only)
  • HEBR 305, Advanced Composition and Conversation: Immigration, Ethnicities, and Religious Traditions (every other spring)
  • HEBR 306, Advanced Composition and Conversation: Zionism and the Hebrew Language (every other spring)

The classes available in fall 2024 are HEBR 101 and HEBR 203.  In spring 2025, we plan to offer HEBR 102, HEBR 204, and HEBR 306.  The two third-year classes, HEBR 305 & HEBR 306, are offered in spring semester of alternate years and can be taken in either order.

For a complete listing of modern Hebrew courses and course descriptions, consult http://catalog.unc.edu/courses/hebr/.

If you’re a beginner (no previous knowledge of Hebrew), register for any section of HEBR 101. Note that this class will not be offered in spring semester.

Hebrew is also being offered–in remote format–in summer 2024 (first session starts May 15, second session starts June 24):

  • HEBR 101 in first session and HEBR 102 in second session.

New students are eligible to take summer courses (second session only for first-years, either/both sessions for transfer students). If you have been accepted for fall, Admissions will change your starting semester from fall to summer at your request.  Taking summer courses could allow you to learn a year’s worth of Hebrew before fall even begins. More information is available on the Summer School website.

If you have prior knowledge of Hebrew and want to take Hebrew, you must take a placement test. This is true for everyone, regardless of how you learned Hebrew (in high school, at home, etc.) and regardless of any test credit or transfer credit you may have. Please go to https://asianstudies.unc.edu/placement/ to sign up for the placement test. If you are hoping to place into a level offered in summer and take it during summer session, please note that in the comments section of the webform, and we will contact you about arranging testing in time for summer.

On the same page is a self-assessment guide that you can use to estimate your probable placement. You are welcome to go ahead and enroll in the class that you think is right for you when you get to register for fall courses. If your placement doesn’t turn out to be what you predicted, the department will try to help you switch into the correct class. It’s also possible you’ll have to wait until spring to continue studying Hebrew if you place into a class only offered in spring.

If you have trouble getting into the Hebrew class you want, you’re encouraged to join the waitlist. You may also refer to the information and help in this registration FAQ: https://asianstudies.unc.edu/registration-faq/.

If you are interested in Biblical Hebrew, UNC also has classes in that; please refer to the Department of Religious Studies.