PennX: Medieval Hebrew Manuscripts and their Scribes

• 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

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.