Do Reading Courses Count As Language Courses?

[moilit]

Hey all!

My basic question is in the title.

I'll explain my specific situation here.

In 2019, I applied to a number of programs, including to Duke's PhD in Religion (Old Testament). I was fresh out of undergrad and only had 2 semesters of biblical Hebrew (though I did have more of modern Hebrew) and a couple classes in biblical studies. They told me they liked my application but needed to see more coursework in the field, which I thought was very fair. They especially wanted to see more coursework in biblical Hebrew.

This spring, I chose to enroll in Hebrew University's MA in Bible & the Ancient Near East, largely because I figured it'd give me a great foundation in Semitic languages. It's a two-year learning program (no thesis), but they offered a full tuition scholarship, so I am not worried about wasting money. Besides, there's plenty of learning to be done before research in the field. Somewhat to my surprise, I tested out of the first year of biblical Hebrew courses--i.e. intermediate biblical Hebrew, fall and spring semesters.

Today was my first day of classes. I'm undecided as to whether or not I should still take the fall semester intermediate biblical Hebrew course. Here are some factors:

• I looked at the syllabi, and it seems to me that the fall semester would be a review of what I more or less have already learned. The spring semester, on the other hand, covers biblical Hebrew poetry, which I have not formally studied. I plan to take the spring semester course to study biblical Hebrew poetry, but I am undecided on the fall semester course.
• I could go ahead and take the advanced biblical Hebrew course, which honestly sounds like a lot of fun. It's on the history of biblical Hebrew; i.e. the different styles through different time periods. This is a full-year, 2 semester course. I planned to take it this year, but recently realized that it conflicted with two other courses I want to take.
  • Said conflicting courses are reading courses involving reading texts in depth in biblical Hebrew. In the program, they are not language courses, because they are not mainly focused on biblical Hebrew linguistics. But I'm sure they'll be great practice. If I don't take these, I'll still be taking other reading courses.
  • I can always take the advanced biblical Hebrew course in my second year, as most students do. (Then again, who knows what courses it'll conflict with next year?)
• If I apply for a PhD program (including Duke's) next fall, will it look bad if I only have grades from one semester of biblical Hebrew (from my MA program)? Or should that worry be alleviated by the fact that I will also have grades from reading courses that involve reading the biblical Hebrew texts? I hate giving these sorts of considerations much weight, but I realize this may be an important factor down the road.
• Other potentially relevant info: In addition to the biblical Hebrew courses, the MA program also requires a course in Akkadian every semester. However, I cannot take either Aramaic or Greek in my first year (might do that in my second year).

Should I take the fall semester of intermediate biblical Hebrew, or should I take the full-year advanced biblical Hebrew course (this year, as opposed to next year), or should I not worry about taking either this year, and just focus on enjoying the reading courses?

Thanks for any and all thoughts on my questions!

Zach

P.S. I'm curious what thoughts any of you have on how best to learn German as a scholarly language. I imagine the best way would be to live in Germany. Hopefully I can do that one day, but with COVID everything involving travel scholarships is a few layers more complicated. I've read J.D. Manton's Introduction to Theological German, but it's only a very basic introduction. Would you say the best way forward is to occasionally read an excerpt from a German text?