Unit information: Elementary New Testament Greek and Exegesis (Trinity and Baptist College) in 2013/14

Unit name	Elementary New Testament Greek and Exegesis (Trinity and Baptist College)
Unit code	THRS30146
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Reverend Dr. Yong Ho Jeon
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

During the first half of the unit much of the focus will be on grammar and syntax, but learning will, from the beginning, be related to passages of the New Testament. The second half of the course, while advancing the students' knowledge of grammar, will involve more translation exercises based on New Testament passages. This unit is suitable for students with basic linguistic skills. pre-requisiste None

Intended Learning Outcomes

The unit aims to

1. introduce students to the basic essentials of Greek (and English) grammar and Greek syntax and vocabulary;
2. develop understanding of the problems and subtleties of translation work and introduce resources for further study;
3. explore the issues that arise in textual criticism.
4. introduce students to the sources available for the study and exegesis of the Greek New Testament.

On completion of the unit students should:

1. be able to translate passages of the New Testament with the use of lexical aids.
2. be aware of issues involved with translation and how they relate to different exegetical conclusions about New Testament passages;
3. have a working knowledge of the main elements of Greek syntax and most vocabulary occurring over 50 times;
4. be able to make use of the text-critical apparatus of the UBS the Greek New Testament (4th revised).
5. begun, through their knowledge of the Greek language, to acquire some exegetical skills.

Students who complete this unit satisfactorily should have the basis to progress to L43004 Intermediate Greek.

Teaching Information

The unit consists of 40 class hours. The approach will be primarily the inductive one of the basic textbook. This will be supplemented by duplicated sheets providing grammatical material presented in a more systematic form, and the introduction of more technical material as the module progresses. In order that the students may encourage one another and that the tutor may gauge individual rates of progress, there will be a large amount of corporate participation in the classes: reading and translation exercises, and questions and answers in both directions. Occasional short tests will ensure that students commit to memory a small core of common vocabulary and some basic endings of nouns and verbs.

The unit will consist of 40 contact hours, equating to 2 contact hours per week for 20 weeks. These hours reflect the fact that all biblical language classes require twice as much contact time with students as other non-language units.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment will be participation in, and preparation for, classes.

Summative assessment will be through two 1½ hour examinations (50% of marks each), involving translation and grammar questions.

Reading and References

Duff J., The Elements of New Testament Greek, 3rd RD, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005)