BA and Bachelor of Social Work - Biblical Studies and Classical Hebrew in Darlington Australia | The University of Sydney

This five-year program provides an extensive and adaptable combined degree that certifies you as an accredited social worker while enabling you to enrich your credentials with complementary majors and minors alongside the Bachelor of Social Work. Although the combined degree mandates a major or minor in Sociology, or a minor in Social Policy, you can select additional majors or minors in diverse fields like diversity studies, gender studies, Indigenous studies, or philosophy. The curriculum integrates social sciences, social policy, and social work theory and practice, with a strong focus on Australian and international social welfare studies. During the final two years, all students complete the professional social work program, which includes two supervised fieldwork placements in various settings under expert practitioners. The program establishes field education learning goals and cultivates values, skills, and knowledge, progressing students from beginners to practitioners who meet the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Practice Standards.

In the Biblical Studies and Classical Hebrew major, you'll gain the ability to read the Bible—both the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the New Testament—with greater insight and responsibility, examining narrative, law, poetry, wisdom literature, prophecy, and apocalyptic texts. Introductory Biblical Studies units use English translations of the Bible and teach foundational methods for interpreting these texts in their historical context, which is essential for deeper analysis. Advanced units refine these skills while introducing specialized approaches for different biblical genres. As part of this major, you can also study Classical Hebrew, equipping you to read and interpret scriptures in their original language. These language courses cover various forms of pre-Modern Hebrew, primarily focusing on the Bible but also exploring the Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient inscriptions, rabbinic writings, and medieval biblical commentaries. Students who pursue Classical Hebrew develop the research skills needed for postgraduate biblical studies. Regardless of your unit selections, completing this major will provide you with the tools to better comprehend biblical texts within their historical, literary, and cultural settings.