Undergraduate Course: Introducing New Testament Greek (Honours) (BIST10056)
Course Outline
| School | School of Divinity |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course offers a structured introduction to New Testament Greek, working through a text book and supplementing it with further examples and exercises. Students learn the foundations of syntax, grammar, and vocabulary, and by the end of the course will be able to translate simple passages from the Greek New Testament. |
| Course description |
Academic description:
This course provides a structured introduction to the language of koine Greek with particular focus on forms of the language found in the writings of the New Testament. At the successful completion of the course, students will be able to read simple texts from the Greek New Testament. The course offers a structured introduction to grammatical concepts, word formation, and syntax, along with acquisition of a core stock of vocabulary. While the emphasis falls on Greek-to-English, learning is reinforced through English-to-Greek exercises.
Syllabus/outline content:
The course assumes no background in the language, and begins with mastering the alphabet , the case system for nouns, and the verbal system. The syntax of koine Greek is also a focus of study. Students will acquire a vocabulary of the most frequently used words in the Greek New Testament (about 300 words used 50+ times are tackled, which represent about 80% of all word-occurrences in the NT). Furthermore, they will demonstrate a basic understanding of the significance of selected features of koine Greek grammar for exegesis of the New Testament
Student learning experience information:
The course has four class sessions each week in which the grammatical concepts are explained and put to use in exercises. Each fortnight the fourth class will also involve an in-class test. These in-class test will cover vocabulary, grammar and translations. All four sessions provide ample opportunity for immediate feedback and practising the 'oral' aspects of the language. A cumulative midsemester test provides a helpful checkpoint, as well as giving practice in the kind of assessment faced in the in-class final exam.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Read simple passages from the Greek New Testament and translate them into English.
- Identity forms of verbs and nouns frequently used in the Greek New Testament so that they can be looked up in a NT Greek lexicon (dictionary).
- Acquire a vocabulary of the most frequently used words in the Greek New Testament (about 300 words used 50+ times are tackled, which represent about 80% of all word-occurrences in the NT).
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the significance of selected features of koine Greek grammar for exegesis of the New Testament.
- Use electronic and print resources for the study of the Greek New Testament.
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Reading List
Indicative bibliography
The course text book may change depending on the course structure.
Resources include:
Jeremy Duff¿s, The Elements of New Testament Greek (Cambridge: CUP, 2005).
G. Abbott Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament
For those planning more advanced work, the premier lexicon is:
BDAG ¿ Bauer, Danker, Arndt and Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd edition (Chicago: Chicago UP, 2001).
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
- Ability to learn a new language.
- Work with linguistic analysis of a particular language.
- Applying previous knowledge to learn a related but new topic |
| Keywords | Biblical studies,ancient language,koine Greek,New Testament Greek |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Paul Foster
Tel: (0131 6)50 8917
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Jamie Smith
Tel: (0131 6)50 8913
Email: |
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