Syllabus

Greek

1. Course Instructor and Professor’s Assistant

Instructor: Dr. Eugene Saunders

Email: eugene.saunders@tku.edu

Professor’s Assistant: Angela Arizmendis

Email: Angela.arizmendis@student.tku.edu

2. Course Description

This class is designed to provide an introductory study of New Testament Greek.  In this course students will study vocabulary, parts of speech and exegetical applications.

Plato and Aristotle developed their philosophy in the culture and the language of the Greeks. Homer and Sophocles wrote their literary masterworks in this language. Our Western culture is indebted to Greek language and culture more than any other civilization. For Christians, the Greek language is even more significant. All of the New Testament texts were originally written in Greek. And for the earliest Christians, the Old Testament, translated into the Greek language, was their Bible. 

A basic understanding of the Greek language is therefore essential for any theological training that has proper depth, and that is the purpose for this introductory course in biblical Greek.

3. Course Objectives 

As a result of taking this course, the student will:

• • Gain information about the historical and purposeful use of Koine Greek as God’s chosen language for conveying the Gospel to the world.
  • Develop a stronger connection with the New Testament and the Gospel narrative
  • Gain an introduction to the grammar and nuances of Koine Greek
  • Learn basic ways in which to apply grammar and Koine nuances to actual New Testament passages.
  • Gain a basic vocabulary of 200-260 words useful for translating important New Testament passages.

4. Course Contents 

• • Introduction to Greek culture and intellectual history
  • The Greek alphabet
  • Greek vocabulary and grammar
  • Reading and translation exercises

5. Performance Records

Multiple choice exam

6. Compulsory Reading

Nunn, H. P. V. The Elements of New Testament Greek  Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2014 (Located on EBook Central)

7. Further Literature

• Mounce, William D.  Basics of Biblical Greek (Grammar)
• The Greek New Testament, UBS
• Mounce, William D. Basics of Biblical Greek (Workbook)
• Mac Donald, William Graham Greek Enchiridion: A Concise Handbook for Translation and Exegesis
• Metzger, Bruce M. Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek
• Mounce, William D. Biblical Greek (Study Guide chart)
• Rogers, Cleon L., Jr. and Cleon L. Rogers, III, The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament

8. Composition of the Final Grade

Evaluation Procedures:  The student’s progress will be evaluated on the basis of their achievements on:

Vocabulary Quizzes (30%)

*Assignments/Class Participation (30%)

Midterm (20%)

Final Exam (20%)

*Unless otherwise stated all homework assignments are due at the beginning of the next class. The student’s name must be written on the top right corner of the first page of the assignment to be properly credited. All pages need to be turned in order for the assignment to be given credit.

8. Summary Time Statement:

9. Course Procedures

1. Course Prerequisites – None
2. Grading Scale

• The grading scale which will be used to assign grades is:

93-100 A

90-92 A-

88-89 B+

83-87 B

80-82 B-

78-79 C+

73-77 C

70-72 C-

68-69 D+

63-67 D

60-62 D-

<60 F

•  Letter grades are assigned the following meanings and values:

A Excellent 4

B Above Ave. 3

C Average 2

D Passing 1

F Failure 0

I Incomplete 0

W Withdrawal 0

• A grade of incomplete (“I”) is issued at the discretion of the instructor, and only when there is a valid reason why the student is unable to complete the assigned work within the time provided.  If the incomplete is not made up by the end of the following term, the “I” is changed to an “F”.

3. Additional Information 

• Preparation for class will include the following:

• • Memorization of vocabulary and any endings or constructions which are presented in class.
  • Study of Greek to English words and sentences so as to be able to translate these sentences orally from the text without reference to any written work.

• Class should not be missed due to failure to prepare for the lesson.  Lack of preparation is an added reason for attending in order to obtain additional clarification and to avoid further lapse.  Language study is a unique discipline requiring lesson completion and repetitious learning.
• There will be no make-up tests for anything other than personal illness or emergency, or by prior arrangement with the instructor.  Make up tests are at the sole discretion of the instructor.
• Restructuring of Evaluation Procedures and extra credit assignments are subject to the discretion of the instructor.
• T.A. – Scheduling of time with the T.A. is based upon student need and availability and above all evidence the student has applied him/herself according to the rule of 2 hours of study time per week day.

10. Course Policies 

• Program Description

THS goal is to prepare students to become capable and gifted servant-leaders in the Body of Christ.  This program offers several levels of preparation, training and discipleship.  The degree of preparation of each student for ministry will be dependent upon the effort, and the amount of time committed to the program.

• Attendance

Since much of what is received at THS occurs in the classroom setting, students are strongly encouraged to attend class on time in order to receive the greatest benefit from each class.  To allow for illness and emergencies, a student is permitted to be absent for up to 25% of the total number of class hours per class and still receive credit for that class.  Loss of credit will be the result when the allowed number of absences is exceeded.  This 25% absence limit is to accommodate illness, emergencies and other unplanned activities.

• Non-Discrimination Policy

THS admits qualified applicants regardless of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin who are personally committed to faith in Jesus Christ.

• Late work policy 

I will not accept late assignments. If you fail to turn in an assignment by the due date, you will receive a 0.