Medieval Hebrew Manuscripts and their Scribes from edX

What do manuscripts tell us just through the very way the letters and words are written? Quite a lot it turns out. This course is an engaging high-level overview of the field of Hebrew paleography taught by one of the world’s foremost experts. Professor Judith Olszowy-Schlanger will walk the student through the tell-tale signs that allow us to tell the history of manuscripts from their writing style (even if you cannot read the words, you can begin to locate medieval sources in space and time), adding an enlightening new dimension to the work of decoding ancient sources and reconstructing medieval history.

What you'll learn

Understand the process of seeing Hebrew manuscripts through a paleographer’s eye.
Learn the basics of paleographical method
Learn the identifying markers of major writing families from which all medieval Hebrew manuscripts emerge

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand the process of seeing hebrew manuscripts through a paleographer’s eye.
Learn the basics of paleographical method

Learn the identifying markers of major writing families from which all medieval hebrew manuscripts emerge

Understand the process of seeing hebrew manuscripts through a paleographer’s eye.
Learn the basics of paleographical method
Learn the identifying markers of major writing families from which all medieval hebrew manuscripts emerge

Syllabus

The course contains nine short modules:

Module 1: What is Paleography and What Can It Teach Us?

Module 2: How to Study the Hebrew Scripts

Module 3: Hebrew Scripts: An Overview Introduction to the Major Regions Associated with Hebrew Scripts

Module 4: Identifying Medieval Oriental Square Scripts

Module 5: Identifying Oriental Cursive Scripts: Non-Square Registers

Module 6: Sephardi and Iberian Square Scripts

Module 7: Iberian Semi-Cursive (Miniscule) Scripts

Module 8: Ashkenazi Square (“Gothic”) Scripts

Module 9: Ashkenazi Semi-Cursive (Miniscule) Scripts

The course is self-paced and has no end date.

A total time commitment of 3–4 hours is needed.

Each module contains the following components:

A Lecture video

In short, recorded lectures, Professor Olszowy-Schlanger introduces a new aspect of Hebrew paleography and a new type of Hebrew script..

Review Questions

Short, multiple-choice quizzes to aid in remembering key points of material from the lectures

Unlimited attempts are allowed

These make up 60% of final course grade

Final Quiz

Multiple-choice questions, similar to those in the review quizzes

One or two attempts per question is permitted, depending on question type

The final quiz makes up 40% of final course grade

The course contains the following additional material:

A Glossary of Terms

A Bibliography for Further Reading

Discussion Questions

Discussion Forum

Participation is optional, but both welcomed and encouraged.

Refer to the edX Rules for Online Conduct for information on acceptable material.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Deepens understanding of Hebrew history and culture

Teaches paleographical method, which is standard in Biblical studies

Develops mastery of identifying markers for major writing styles from which medieval Hebrew manuscripts emerge

Taught by Judith Olszowy-Schlanger, a world-renowned expert in paleography who has written many publications on the topic

Builds a strong foundation for students interested in examining and comprehending Hebrew manuscripts

Career center

Learners who complete Medieval Hebrew Manuscripts and their Scribes will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Paleographer

Paleographers study ancient and medieval handwriting. This course is taught by one of the world’s foremost experts in Hebrew paleography, Professor Judith Olszowy-Schlanger. It is an engaging high-level overview of the field that will introduce you to the basics of paleographical method and the identifying markers of major writing families from which all medieval Hebrew manuscripts emerge.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct original research in a variety of fields. Medieval Hebrew manuscripts can be a valuable source of information for researchers in fields such as history, literature, and religion. This course will teach you the skills you need to use these manuscripts in your research.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students at all levels, from elementary school to college. Many teachers teach courses in history, literature, or religion. The course can help you develop the skills you need to teach courses in Hebrew paleography or related fields.

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Historian

Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past. Medieval Hebrew manuscripts can provide valuable insights into the history, culture, and religion of the medieval period. The course helps you understand how to see Hebrew manuscripts through a paleographer’s eye, which will enhance your ability to study and interpret medieval Hebrew manuscripts.

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Professor

Professors teach and conduct research at colleges and universities. Many professors teach courses in medieval history, literature, or religion. The course can help you build the foundation you need to teach courses in Hebrew paleography or related fields.

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Librarian

Librarians help people find information and materials to meet their needs. Many libraries have collections of medieval Hebrew manuscripts. The course will help you learn how to identify and catalog these manuscripts, as well as how to assist researchers who are using them.

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Theologian

Theologians study the nature of God and religious beliefs. A deep understanding of the Hebrew language is essential for theologians. The course can help you develop a strong foundation in Hebrew paleography, which can be helpful when studying religious texts.

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Rabbi

Rabbis are Jewish religious leaders who provide spiritual guidance and instruction to their communities. A deep understanding of the Hebrew language is essential for rabbis. The course can help you develop a strong foundation in Hebrew paleography, which can be helpful when studying religious texts.

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Translator

Translators convert written or spoken material from one language to another. Many medieval Hebrew manuscripts have not yet been translated into English. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a translator of medieval Hebrew texts.

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Data Entry Clerk

Data Entry Clerks enter data into computer systems. Many medieval Hebrew manuscripts have been digitized and are available online. This course teaches you how to identify and catalog these manuscripts, as well as how to enter data about them into computer systems.

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Manuscript Conservator

Manuscript Conservators preserve and restore historical documents. Many museums and libraries have collections of medieval Hebrew manuscripts. This course teaches you how to identify and catalog these manuscripts, as well as how to assist researchers who are using them. You will also learn how to preserve and restore these fragile documents.

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Editor

Editors review, correct, and improve written content. Many medieval Hebrew manuscripts have been edited and published. This course teaches you how to identify and catalog these manuscripts, as well as how to assist editors who are working on them.

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Museum curator

Museum curators oversee the care and display of museum collections. Many museums have collections of medieval Hebrew manuscripts. By studying how to see Hebrew manuscripts through a paleographer’s eye, as well as learning the basics of paleographical method and the identifying markers of major writing families from which all medieval Hebrew manuscripts emerge, you will be well-prepared for a career as a Museum Curator.

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Writer

Writers create written content for a variety of purposes, such as informing, entertaining, or persuading. Many writers specialize in writing about history, literature, or religion. This course can help you develop the skills you need to write about these topics in a clear and engaging way.

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Archivist

Archivists, also known as archival researchers, gather, classify, preserve, and make accessible materials of historical importance. They arrange and describe documents, photographs, moving images, sound recordings, and other historical materials so that researchers can use them. Historical documents from the medieval period may be stored in archives, such as national libraries. As the course teaches you how to study the Hebrew scripts and identify medieval Oriental Square Scripts, Oriental Cursive Scripts, Sephardi and Iberian Square Scripts, Iberian Semi-Cursive (Miniscule) Scripts, Ashkenazi Square ("Gothic") Scripts, and Ashkenazi Semi-Cursive (Miniscule) Scripts, you will develop essential skills that can help you as an Archivist.

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