Course Information
General Information
Beginners Hebrew 2 is a continuation course to the Hebrew ulpan (Beginners Hebrew 1), where further language and grammer topics are taught. The syllabus includes: broadening of vocabulary (prepositions, conjunctions, verbs, idioms), as well as teaching linguistic paradigms (construct forms, inflections of singular and plural nouns, numbers, lexical derivations, verbal nouns, direct and indirect speech).
The aims are: broadening of vocabulary, improving written expression, introduction to the writing of summaries, reports and correspondence, with special emphasis on comprehension of scientific and technical articles. Note: This is a compulsory course exclusively for students who were not tested by the psychometric test in Hebrew and were directed to this course on the basis of a placement exam. Students who complete this course proceed to 324054 and 324055, both compulsory courses to be taken in any order the student chooses.
Courses 324052 and 324053 are congruent. The teacher may decide which of the two a student should take.
The aims are: broadening of vocabulary, improving written expression, writing of summaries, reports, correspondence, and an introduction to history of the Hebrew language. Emphasis is on comprehension of scientific and technical articles.
Note: This is a compulsory course exclusively for students who were not tested by the psychometric test in Hebrew and were directed to this course on the basis of a placement exam. Students who complete this course proceed to 324054 and 324055, both compulsory courses to be taken in any order the student chooses.
Courses 324052 and 324053 are congruent. The teacher may decide which of the two a student should take.
Selected passages from the biblical narrative, Law and Prophetic writings. Note: Students who possess an Israeli matriculation certificate are not eligible for this course.
Selected topics from the history of the Second Temple Period, the Oral Law, the Spanish Period, the Era of Emancipation, and the Beginnings of Zionism. Note: Students who possess an Israeli matriculation certificate are not eligible for this course.
The basic ideas of Kabbalah. The Kabbalistic ethical literature: the roots of Hasidism in Lurianic Kabbalah and Sabbataianism: the basic teaching of Hasidism about man and God, the Zaddik, Torah and Commandments, exile and redemption.
Prerequisites: ability to independently study a page of Talmud with the commentaries (Rashi, Tosafot, Alfasi, Maimonides and their commentaries).
Problems of religion and state in Talmudic sources.
Prerequisites: see above Beit Midrash 1. Study of Tractate Sanhedrin and its comparison to earlier sources, primarily the Jerusalem Talmud, Toseftha,
Midrash Halacha, in light of the interpretations of earlier and latter day Halachic Authorities.
In this course we shall survey the history of Jewish mysticism, i.e., Kabbalah, its stages of development, treasure of documents and heroes. We shall learn the fundamentals of the deity doctrine of the Mekubalim and its reflection in their lives, thus attempting to understand the role of the Kabbalah in the history of the people of Israel in general, and in its cultural history in particular. We shall attempt to answer the question regarding the identity of the Jewish mystic: a scholar and a Tsadik or a revolutionist and an anarchist..
The course will discuss basic concepts in Judaism such as life and death, will, faith, awe and fear, the world to come, marriage, Shabbat, love, Messianism and redemption, human history, prayer and the Torah.
Basic concepts in Judaism: life and death, will, faith, awe and fear, the world to come, marriage, Sabbath, love, Messianism and redemption, human history, prayer and Torah.
Among the issues to be covered in this course are: Oral Law and its meaning, its adaptation and permanence, and its message for our times. Pharisees and Saducees. The Torah's attitude towards work and labor. The Torah's attitude to nature and aesthetics. Rationalism and the Sages of Israel through the generations (Rav Saadia Gaon, Maimonides, R. Sidah, Halevi, Maharal, R. Moshe Chaim Luzatto, R. Kook, and the Enlightenment). Hassidim and Mitnagdim. Philosophy. Mysticism and Torah. The scientific-technological revolution and its relationship with the Torah.
Prerequisites: see above Beit Midrash 1. Study of Tractate Sanhedrin and its comparison to earlier sources, primarily the Jerusalem Talmud, Toseftha, Midrash Halacha, in light of the interpretations of earlier and latter day Halachic Authorities.
Prerequisites: mastery in reading the Talmud according to "Rishonim".
We shall study medical issues in Talmudic and Halacha'ic sources, with an emphasis on problems of danger in general, surgeries, transplants, genetic engineering, etc.
Subject: The epistemological and ontological sources of mathematics. Range: The crisis related to foundational paradoxes in mathematics, its influence on the development of various schools in philosophy of mathematics, the relationship between these schools and the school of general philosophy.
PLATO - PHILOSOPHICAL NARRATIVE
The course deals with the rise of philosophical narrative and concentrates on the criticism by Plato of Greek poets in general and Homer in particular. Plato's premise that stories and myths teach the young negative moral values will also be discussed.
Social and religious ideologies have influenced the development of sciences. The conflict between the Church and Galileo, the religious objection to evolution theory (the Apes Trial). The influence of Lysenco on Soviet biology. The objections of social ideologies to biological psychology.
The course will focus on the question whether life resulted from natural, deterministic processes, or has come into being as a result of a miracle, or a unique event. We shall discuss this issue from both historical and contemporary viewpoints. In addition, we shall refer to both of these philosophical views in a survey of the history of ideas in this issue, and in an examintaion of current theories.
INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE PHILOSOPHY
The beginnings of Chinese philosophy during the spring and autumn (772-481 bc.) warring states (481-221 bc.) periods. We will study the historical and intellectual background and development, and terms and themes such as humaneness, mind, and human nature, which constituted the philosophical discussion.
The philosophy of science involves critical examination of the sciences: their methods and results. In this course we shall get familiar with modern philosophical thought in general, basic issues in epistemology concerning the scientific method, and basic issues in metaphysics concerning the meaning of scientific results. In addition, we shall deal with the issue of the development of science.
THE LIMIT AND LIMITATION OF SCIENCE
Science claims to broaden our knowledge of the material world. The course will deal with the limits of this knowledge in issues such as: (1) Constructing a model of the world: alternative systems of knowledge and belief; (2) Signs and signals directing decision making; (3) Differences between real science and pseudo-science; (4) pseudo-science motivated by political interests.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE LIFE SCIENCES
The course will focus on the characterization of biological organization as a physico-chemical phenomenon, which is - nevertheless - uniquely biological. The problem of the reduction of biology to chemistry, the status of teleological explanations and the philosophical aspects of the origin of life, and evolutionary processes will be discussed.
THE SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY OF DECARTES
The course deals with issues raised in Descartes' scientific thought as expressed in his Logics of the First Philosophy: the concept of method and methodological doubt, the criterion of certainty, metaphysical dualism, the problem of error, the concept of god in Descartes' scientific thought and the Cartesian legacy in modern science (scientific realism, nature as a mechanism, the body-soul issue).
It is widely assumed that people make decisions on the basis of a fair knowledge of facts, but decision making is actually executed on the basis of people's attitude towards facts, that is, on the basis of their values. On the other hand, science concerns cognitive work, i.e., value-neutral cognition of facts. Thus, decisions cannot be based on scientific findings and science cannot be based on values. The course will discuss questions raised by this discrepancy between science and values.
INTRODUCTION TO TRADITIONAL JAPANESE
The course deals with the history of Japan since the genesis of the Japanese nation until the middle of the 19th century, with a special emphasis on the social, political, religious, and cultural developments that shaped traditional Japan.
This lesson deals with the history of modern Japan since its opening to the west in the middle of the 19th Century until the present time, with a special emphasis on its modernization process, economic success, and contemporary society.
ISRAELI SOCIETY THROUGH LITERATURE
This course deals with the reflection of Israeli society in selected pieces of Hebrew literature and with various literary techniques used to represent it: motifs, myths, symbols, characters, etc.
HEBREW LITERATURE AS A MORAL LABORATORY
Literature cerates a closed and protected fictional realm which can function as a moral laboratory within which we can conduct simulations and examine intuitions, conspiracies and moral values. In this course we shall examine the 20th century Hebrew literature in terms of its relation to morality. We shall study three groups of texts: war stories, life stories and stories of "the others". We shall read form Agnon, Brener, Yizhar, Kanyuk and A.B.Yehosuha.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORY OF JAZZ
The purpose of the course is to evaluate the cultural, social, and musical effects which contributed to the development of jazz and to understand the basic musical forms and rules upon which jazz musicians improvise, through guided listening to representative recordings of different periods, styles and major artists in jazz.
The course deals with the relevance of the science fiction film, the prevention of "future shock", and films' ability to illustrate the implications of future technological, biological and sociological developments. In addition, we shall discuss virtual reality and its implications, ethics determination in new areas, and Jungian aspects of science fiction and fantasy.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF VISUAL PERCEPTION
The course deals with the following issues: The visual language - elements in film; the psychological-emotional influence of each element; the technique of watching films; what is a cinematic element; how to evaluate a film in comparison to a show or work of fiction; what is propaganda - how it is composed and how it is recognized; how is an effective picture, such as a book-cover, taken.
The course will deal with different areas related to the influences of music on people's behavior. Among the topics to be discussed are psycho-acoustic basics, the way we react to music, the development of musical ability, extraordinary abilities, cognitive elements of musical performance, and the way music is used both for commercial and for health purposes.
The course will discuss physiological, philosophical, theoretical, psychological, developmental, social and cultural aspects of humor, as well as types and techniques of generating humor.
The myth of Don Juan has been the base for hundreds of artistic pieces in plastic art, literature and drama. The course will examine the essence of the myth and its influence on society, religion and art, particularly on drama. We shall study various plays, their ideal message and their performance.
This course deals with the characteristics of the short story genre and its devices as expressed in selected Israeli stories by young writers: Etgar Keret, Orly-Kastel Blum, Gidi Nevo, and others.
FREEHAND DRAWING FOR BEGINNERS
The aim of the course is to develop the basic ability of practical freehand drawing - a basic technique for all kinds of arts. The course will teach basic theoretical and practical lessons in drawing/sketching of different objects: basic forms, still-life, complex composition. Applications: possible immediate application to the field of technology. The course will provide the basis for advanced art studies.
The objective of the course is developing the initial ability of practical painting, teaching the concepts and principles of the art of painting, and endowing students with the basic ability of painting different objects: basic shapes, still life, complex objects (landscape), presenting light and shade, aerial perspective, composition, etc.
Students will also acquire the technique of aquarelle painting.
MUSIC AND THEATER IN THE 20TH CENTURY
The course deals with music in the theatrical context: compositions based on literature, ballet, and musicals in the 20th century.
A panoramic view of different musical cultures: music of the Indians of North America, Cuban, Brazilian, Bolivian, Irish, Spanish, Greek and African music.
The course will discuss musical genres and languages and the search for modern ways for musical expression. In addition, it will survey artistic music through instructed listening, reference to rock and jazz and the relations between them and artistic music and to the issue of ethnic music.
INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC UNTIL THE 20TH CENTURY
The course will concern the development of Western artistic music since the Middle Ages until the end of the 20th century. An emphasis will be placed on style, survey of the Renaissance, the Baroque, the Classical period and Romanticism, stressing the salient composers of each period.
The development of Indian art and culture from the Indus Valley civilization to the nineteen century, emphasizing the historical background, religion and society. The development and iconography of the statue of the Buddha. Buddhist art and architecture. Hinduism, its iconography and architecture. Indian paintings. Foreign influence, Mesopotamia, Hellenism and Islam.
Foundations of Japanese art and civilization: a review of Japanese sculpture, painting and architecture in relation to history and society: emphasis of aesthetical, social and religious elements.
The origins of modern France: 17th century French history, institutions, art and architecture.
Abstract art in Europe in the first three decades of the twentieth century, the works of the artists: Kandinsky, Malevich and Mondriaan. Abstract art in the United States after the Second World War, especially Abstract Expressionism: Pollock, De Kooning and others.
A developmental review of modern art from impressionism to pop art. The course will address the reflection of a dynamic and revolutionary viewpoint in visual messages created by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso and Andy Warhol. We shall define modern art, examine its characteristics and reference to the definition classical art. The course is based on watching slides and films.
The course will consist of two components: 1. Theoretical - introduction to drama and theatre, students will acquire basic concepts for analysing plays through watching and reading a selection of plays from drama from the world and from Israel. 2. Applying the theoretical introduction to a selection of Israeli plays in their socio-political context.
An introduction to director Peter Brook's work and aesthetic perceptions. Several of his films and plays will be watched, with emphasis on selected issues, such as his late work in Paris since 1970, at the foundation of the research and creation centers, and the performance of "Mahabarata", 1989.
THE PRINCIPLES OF DRAMATIC WRITING
An attempt to define the principles of play writing along with the practice of writing. The writing of monologues, dialogues, skits, scenes, and finally, a full length play. Preparation of original skits for the dramatic circle.
Maupassant - The course deals with the analysis of the narrative structures and stylistic devices of Maupassant's short stories and their impact on subsequent evolution of the genre in Europe.
The course will shed light on Christian and Islamic art in Israel from the 4th through the 19th centuries. During the course, the Beit-Alfa Synagogue, Kafer-Nahum church, White Mosque in Ramle, and other impressive monuments existing in Israel will be discussed. These findings will be compared with others found in the main centers of Christian and Islamic cultures.
19th century France: history, institutions, literature, art and politics.
We shall watch various Shakespearean plays adapted to cinema and examine them. Shakespeare's plays have been granted a canonical status all over the world and have been adapted a lot in theatre, the movies, music and dance. We shall discuss issues raised by these plays as well as the ways they are dealt with artistically.
The aim of the course is to examine super-natural phenomena taking part in Jewish culture, which are expressed in fiction, customs, proverbs and folk beliefs, year and life cycles (pregnancy, birth, marriage, death). We shall examine phenomena such as spirits, ghosts and witchcraft. We shall also discuss the role and status of these phenomena in a socio-cultural system of various population strata and ethnic groups in contemporary Israel.
CHOIR - Voice Development
The course endows students with the foundations of vocal music and works on voice development.
The course teaches the art of music and singing in a method combining theory and illustration. Course themes will include musical theory, harmony, counterpoint, the history of music, solfege, voice development, diction, ear training and musical analysis. Attendance at all classes is compulsory. In order to register for the course the student must pass a practical exam. A vocal piece should be prepared for the entrance exam. It is recommended that the student already have knowledge of reading music. Classes will take place at the Churchill Auditorium.
This course deals with learning skills in orchestral playing and preparing symphonic pieces to perform. We shall be working on a varied repertory, including accompaniment by soloists and the choir. Attendance at all classes is compulsory. In order to register for the course the student must pass a practical exam. Classes will take place at the Churchill Auditorium.
To arrange the practical exam, please call the secretary: 04-829-2735.
Practical examination for new participants.
The purpose of the course is the creation of a jazz ensemble which will perform music from the classical jazz repertoire as well as pieces composed by the students themselves. Participants will master different types and techniques of arrangements.
JAZZ IMPROVISATION FOR BEGINNERS
Practical examination for new participants.
The purpose of the course is to teach the theoretical and practical elements of jazz improvisation, develop improvisational ability on standards from the jazz repertoire, and to learn the instrumental roles within the jazz combo through guided listening to recordings of distinguished jazz artists.
The objective of the course is forming an active jazz ensemble while widening and deepening the theoretical and practical knowledge in improvisation, developing the sense of rhythm and time, and expanding musical interaction among players apparent in recordings of various jazz ensembles. Topics covered will include jazz scales, harmony, transcription and analysis of famous jazz players' improvisations, and integrating elements from them in playing and improvising.
Prerequisites: Students with background in improvisation who have passed an initial screening, including playing a classical piece as well as two jazz pieces with improvisation.
The course is intended to provide theoretical and practical knowledge required for the performance of vocal music in a chamber ensemble. Focus will be placed on individual voice development, solfege, acquiring a vocal repertory and preparing for performances.
In order to register for the course the student must pass a practical exam. Classes will take place at the Churchill Auditorium.
Preparation for the stage presentation: the basics of the actor and his/her collective group. Relationships between the actors. The individual character finding his/her physical and emotional place on the stage, in the story, with the other characters and inside himself/herself. A workshop will be held in order to develop the actors' imagination and creation by means of improvisation.
CHOREOGRAPHY - MOVEMENT WORKSHOP
This course deals with the development of creative composition in movement and the possibility of self-expression in dance. The course, as a workshop, will enable students to participate in choreographic creation through improvised exercises combining texts, accessories, images and music. Students will develop an awareness of and appreciation for this medium.
This course deals with the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the performance of vocal music in a chamber ensemble: individual voice training, solfege, acquisition of a varied repertoire and preparation for performances.
Prerequisites: Reading notes, experience in choir singing.
ACTING AND DIRECTING IN THE THEATRE
The course will refer to the foundations of acting, a basic study of a place, working on characters, objects, exactness. We shall attempt to stage original pieces written by the students and will handle group work, through which we will acquire knowledge in directing, working with actors, stage arrangement. Each of the students will have the opportunity to take any of the roles.
The aim of the course is to produce a complete play at the end of the semester.
Students who have taken one semestrial course of the "Basics" or of "Acting and Directing" will take part in this workshop aimed at producing plays: accurate work with texts and the process of their production on stage before an audience.
Either one of the basic one semester courses "Acting and Directing" or "Drama" enable students to participate in this play production workshop. Creativity and close adherence to text will be emphasized. Original plays will be produced by students.
Students who have acquired the basics in the courses of "playing and directing" and "drama", for at least one semester, will be allowed to take part in this workshop, designated to produce plays. This will include work on precision with texts and on the process of their production on stage. Students will be allowed to raise original ideas.
Improvement of technical writing, acquiring acceptable conventions of report writing, laboratory diaries, abstracts, etc. An emphasis will be put on the salient elements of scientific writing.
This undergraduate post-technical English course will enable students to develop speaking and writing skills by exposing them to the practical tasks and skills necessary for functioning in professional settings. Activity-oriented guidance and instruction will be provided. A significant amount of class time will be devoted to speaking and writing.
Prerequisites: 324012 - TECHNICAL ENGLISH.
PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH FOR THE WORKPLACE
Prerequisites: 324012 and personal interview.
Grading on basis of assignments. This advanced course is designed to improve the speaking and writing skills of Technion students whose future professional positions in scientific and high technology fields will demand a mastery of English. Students will receive instruction and will practice discussion techniques, oral presentation, etc. Various types of written business and technical communications will also be covered.
The course includes an introduction to the history and characteristics of the Japanese language, the two phonetic writing systems, study of 50-100 Chinese characters (kanji), study of the structure of the Japanese sentence, practice of conversation regarding basic daily life situations, and reading of short dialogues.
The course includes intensive acquisition of Japanese grammar, the study of an additional phonetic writing system (Hiragana), learning of additional 100 Kanji, and maintenance of basic conversation skills.
Acquisition of basic spoken German, reading and writing.
This course is destined for students who have completed both courses for beginners and have knowledge in reading, writing and grammar.
Acquisition of the language at intermediate level.
This course is intended for beginners only. The course gives a basic knowledge of the spoken language.
Grading on basis of semestral folow-up mid- semestral examination and final examination. This course is intended for students who completed French 11.
This course develops the knowledge of the written and spoken language. Students are introduced to French literature.
Acquisition of basic Russian.
RUSSIAN 2 (INTERMEDIATE - AUDIOVISUAL)
Acquisition of the Russian language at a higher level of beginners.
The course aims at endowing students with advanced knowledge in the Russian language
The course will deal with Arabic as used in the media: newspapers, the television and the radio.
The course is intended to enable students to communicate in the colloquial dialect (urban Jerusalem dialect) used in the country at an intermediate level. Marks are determined by noting progress during the term and a final examination.
Standard written Arabic (Literary Arabic) is intended for students with some background in the language. The course includes reading news and short articles of newspapers, listening drills and oral discussions.
Acquisition of the basic Italian language.
Acquisition of the language at a level higher than beginners.
Prerequisites: 324630 - ITALIAN FOR BEGINNERS 1,
324631 - ADVANCED ITALIAN.
Esperanto-culture in Israel and in the world.
Acquisition of the basic language and reading different texts.
Acquisition of basic Spanish.
Spanish language at a higher level than beginners.
The purpose of this course, designed for beginners, is to enable the student to communicate in Chinese for everyday purposes. As well as emphasis on oral communication, it offers the student the basic elements required for further advanced study of the language.
INTRODUCTION TO TRANSLATION IN THE COMPUTER AGE
The course includes discussions on the elements of language, the notions of mother tongue acquisition, second language learning, bilingualism and multilingualism, and their effect on society and individuals, speech and language deficiencies and their possible (physiological) origins, problems in speech synthesis from the acoustical and physical aspects.
INTELLIGENCE AND FOREIGN POLICY
The purpose of the course is to study the strategic intelligence discipline and its contribution to decision making in foreign policy. Intelligence collection and analysis, the problematic of providing early warning and the strategy of surprise will be studied.
MIDDLE EAST, NATIONALISM AND RELIGION
Nationalism, religion and minorities in the contemporary Arab world: the complex human mosaic of the middle east and its social, religious and ethnic components, the emergence of nationalism and its origins, national movements, their religious affiliation and their attitudes towards minorities, pan Arabism, pan Islam and minorities, aspirations of minorities for autonomy and independence attempts made by the Arab states to build their national identity while coping with their minority problems.
The course will discuss the origins of the Arab-Jewish conflict and its aggravation in Mandatory Palestine. The establishment of the PLO and the Palestinian guerilla organizations. The 1956, 1967 and 1973 wars. The conflict and the Middle Eastern and global inter-state relations, from the Lebanon war to the Madrid talks. Attempts at settlement of the conflict and the peace accords.
Game-rules of politics, techniques of government, the practical political use of ideology and values. The possibility of a non-ideological discussion about politics. Political theory and policy-making. The difference between political science and practical policy.
ADJUSTMENT TO STRESSFUL SITUATIONS
The course covers major stress theories. Concepts and theories related to optimal functioning in an academic environment will be emphasized. Skills for developing functional thinking, time management and relaxation related concentration and memory will be presented and practiced. Note: in order to derive maximum benefit from the course it is recommended to be taken during the first year of study.
INTRODUCTION TO ISRAELI LAW SYSTEM
Source of Israeli law system, the Ottoman law transfer to British mandate, the source of English law, the Palestine order-in-council 1922. State of Israel. Law and administration (1948), codification of new Israeli law. The court system in Israel, practice and procedures.
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW IN ISRAEL
The course deals with selected issues in patent and employment laws.
The development of archaeology in Israel from the 9th to the 2nd millennia B.C.E. is described. The following topics will be discussed: science of archaeology, the invention of agriculture and towns, art, economic, technical and social developments. The course includes visits to a site or a museum.
SUBJECTS IN THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL
The course emphasizes the development of Israel, since the end of the Independence War until the Yom Kippur war. We shall survey its military aspects: the revenge operations period, the Sinai War, the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War, as well as several social and sociological aspects.
INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
The course deals with international relations as a scientific field, at the levels of the international system, the state and decision makers. Among the topics covered are means in international relations, diplomacy, intelligence, non-military forcing means, wars, the nuclear dimension in international relations and international organizations.
Various speakers will discuss the following topics: The role of entrepreneurship in Israeli economy, innovation, technology and growth, conducting an applicability survey, support systems, business law, technological news, patents and patent registration, motivation for entrepreneurship, creative thinking, information sources and market survey, event analysis.
