Fall 2012-Spring 2013/Pasadena

LG512A/B/C

Sousa

 

LG512A/B/C: BEGINNING GREEK. Matt Sousa.

 

DESCRIPTION: This course is 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 must plan to register for each quarter of the course.

 

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 help of certain tools, 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: Having successfully completed this three-quarter sequence, students 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. Stuttgart: United Bible Societies, 1993. 932 pages. ISBN: 9783438051103. Publ. Price: $43.99. OR

Nestle, E., and K. Aland. Novum Testamentum Graece (Nestle-Aland GNT). 27th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993. 826 pages. ISBN: 9783438051004. Publ. price: $40.99.

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]. 1188 pages. ISBN: 9780226039336. Publ. Price: $165.00. [N.B.: electronic versions of BDAG with full text and pagination are also permissible.]

Metzger, Bruce M. Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1998. 112 pages. ISBN: 9780801021800. Publ. Price: $12.99.

Mounce, William D. Basics of Biblical Greek: Grammar. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 448 pages. ISBN: 9780310287681. Publ. Price: $49.99.

________. Basics of Biblical Greek: Workbook. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. 240 pages. ISBN: 9780310287674. Publ. Price: $22.99.

 

See also the Biblical Division bibliography “Linguistic and Exegetical Books Required in the Master of Divinity Program” available online and from the Academic Advising office.

 

RECOMMENDED READING:

Black, D. A. It’s Still Greek to Me: An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Intermediate Greek. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1998. 192 pages. ISBN: 9780801021817. Publ. Price: $21.99.

Wallace, Daniel B. Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997. 864 pages. ISBN: 9780310218951. Publ. Price: $44.99.

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The student is expected to attend each class session and to have completed the assignments prior to the class session. The course grade will be based on homework and class participation (20%); weekly quizzes (25%); midterm (25%); and final exam (30%).

 

PREREQUISITES: None.

 

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.                 (9/11