Spring 2010/Pasadena
LG512C
Bacon

LG512C: BEGINNING GREEK. Courtney Bacon.


DESCRIPTION: This course is the third part of a three-quarter sequence designed to give students a foundational knowledge of the essential grammar of New Testament (Koine) Greek, including an introduction to morphology, syntax and other matters of beginning Greek grammar. Students registering for this course should have successfully completed LG512A and LG512B from the same instructor.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: A working knowledge of the original language of the New Testament will equip students with tools for informed interpretation of the Bible. Students who successfully complete this course should, with the use of various resources, be able to consult the Greek text as part of the exegetical task, which in turn will enhance their own study of the Bible, teaching and sermon preparation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students successfully completing this course will have demonstrated the ability to: (1) Read aloud in Greek and to write legibly in its standard script; (2) Comprehend basic vocabulary; (3) Identify (i.e., to parse) various forms of the language including most regular forms and many of the irregular but frequent forms of the articles, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and verbs that occur in the Greek New Testament; (4) Understand and explain basic Greek grammar and syntax; (5) Use standard exegetical tools in translating and analyzing the original language; (6) Translate basic texts in the original language.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets twice each week for two-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:

Your choice of one of the following Greek New Testaments:

Aland, K., et al. The Greek New Testament. 4th rev. ed. United Bible Societies, 1993.
OR Nestle, E., and K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece (Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament). 27th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelstiftung, 1993.

Danker, F. W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000 [BDAG].

Mounce, William D. Basics of Biblical Greek: Grammar. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

________. Basics of Biblical Greek: Workbook. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
See also the Biblical Division bibliography "Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Programs" available at http://schedule.fuller.edu/sot/ecds/Ling-Exeg-Biblio.html.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Black, D. A. It's Still Greek to Me: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Intermediate Greek. Baker, 1998.

Van Voorst, Robert, E. Building Your New Testament Greek Vocabulary. 3rd ed. Society of Biblical Literature, 2001.

Wallace, Daniel B. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament. Zondervan, 1996.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The student is expected to attend each class session and to have completed the assignments prior to the class session. This course normally requires eight hours per week outside of class (two hours for each class hour) spent in studying the textbook lessons, learning Greek vocabulary and forms, and doing translation exercises. The course grade will be based on homework (20%); weekly quizzes (25%); midterm (25%); and final exam (30%).

PREREQUISITES: LG512B (same section as this quarter). No audits.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: The completed three-quarter sequence LG512A/B/C meets the MDiv core requirement in Greek (GRK).

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (Posted January 2010)