With a history that reaches back thousands of years, Hebrew remains an essential language of discovery, innovation, creativity and beauty. Its roots in tradition and prayer found new expression with its redevelopment and renewal; after a long period of religious use, contemporary Hebrew became the national language of the state of Israel and has nearly 9 million speakers worldwide. Today, Israel has a thriving tech economy, cutting-edge agricultural and sustainability research and globally recognized poets, novelists and journalists.
The Israeli diaspora — Los Angeles has one of the largest ex-pat communities— has popularized Hebrew language music, television and film representing a vital arts and cultural footprint. Hebrew literature explores and examines the joys and conflicts of modern and contemporary experience, history and religion.
Study Hebrew at USC Dornsife and gain access to Hebrew as both a spoken and written language. A sequence of four semesters of Hebrew courses will have you speaking, reading and writing as you model life in a Hebrew immersive environment. You will learn not only how to order food and shop at a market, but how to open yourself to the deep complexities of Israel and the interrelationships between cultures, expectations and aspiration.

Courses

For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes. Course availability is subject to change, and non-language courses are not included.

  • HEBR 120: Hebrew I (4 units)

    Focuses on the acquisition of proficiency and communicative skills in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension as well as cultural literacy.
    HEBR 150: Hebrew II (4.0 units)
    A continuation of Hebrew I. Offers a higher level of skill development in reading, writing and conversation. Prerequisite: HEBR 120.
    HEBR 220: Hebrew III (4.0 units)
    Continuation of Hebrew II; stress on grammar, composition, and conversation. Prerequisite: HEBR 150.

    HEBR 315: Modern Hebrew Language (IV)

    Examines Hebrew in depth and introduces students to Modern Hebrew literature through major poems, novels and films from the 20th and 21st centuries. Prerequisite: HEBR 220.

  • HEBR 121: Hebrew for Business (2.0 units)

    Effective communication in Hebrew, exploration of Israels economy in the context of globalization, improving language skills for use in the global job market.

    HEBR 125: Conversational Hebrew: Culture, Society and Communication (2.0 units)

    Focuses on functional uses of language in every day settings and builds familiarity with and fluency in Hebrew through conversation.

     

  • JS 504: Modern Hebrew Literature 

    Reading of unvocalized texts primarily from modern Hebrew literature. A survey of the development of modern Hebrew literature, with an emphasis on short story and poetry. Knowledge of Hebrew required.

Study Abroad

Israel- Jerusalem (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

The Undergraduate Study Abroad Program takes place at the Rothberg International School (RIS) at the Mt. Scopus campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJ). RIS welcomes over 1,200 study abroad students each year to pursue coursework while discovering the people, geography, culture, and politics of Israel.

Tel Aviv Blog Project

  • The project “Tel Aviv Blog” was to create a blog about the city of Tel Aviv that inform the readers or future visitors about; historical places, culture, entertainment, markets, and the neighborhood of Tel Aviv.
    Every student had the liberty to design his other own blog, by sharing paces they have been and recommend to visit. The idea was to cover the historical perspective and the cultural perspective of Tel Aviv by visiting sites.
    Discover these projects here:
    Michael Pincusm a journalism major, studied Hebrew 120, 150 and 220. Discover his story here
     
    Aliza Wallack took Hebrew 220, she is planning to immigrate to Israel and start her life there:
    Discover her story here

Jewish Studies Program

Stay connected with the Jewish Studies Program through their website and social media accounts.

Faculty

Meet the dedicated faculty who are eager to help you reach your language-learning goals!

Resources

The Hebrew Language Program offers a range of resources, scholarships, fellowships and more. To learn more about these opportunities, refer to the program website.

Contact Information

General Hebrew Program

Basic Language Program Director

Prof. Hagit Arieli-Chai

Undergraduate Advisors

First-year students (not transfers, Freshmen only, and only majors or First-year students interested in the major):
Jessica Kanoski, Ph.D.
jkanoski@usc.edu
Appointment link: bit.ly/accessappointment

All students (including Freshmen) wanting to minor and continuing students interested in the major: 
Brianna Beltran
bnbeltra@usc.edu
Appointment link: bit.ly/accessappointment