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Elements of New Testament Greek

Module description

In this module, you will start learning New Testament Greek from scratch. This will equip you to read biblical texts in their original language, and also give you a clearer insight into the interpretative difficulties facing translators and interpreters of biblical texts. From this introductory module you can progress to further study of the language of the New Testament texts.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This option module will enable students to acquire a good working knowledge of the basic elements of New Testament Greek, and to translate short passages from Greek into English with appropriate glossary.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate basic knowledge of New Testament Greek
• 2. Produce accurate translations of short passages, with the aid of glossary
• 3. Identify and comment on grammatical forms of the language

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Begin, with guidance, to demonstrate basic linguistic skills in the original language of a religious tradition
• 5. Begin, with guidance, to translate ancient religious texts

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Undertake directed work within clear guidelines
• 7. Communicate clearly in a written form
• 8. Participate appropriately in a learning group
• 9. Demonstrate a greater understanding of the nature of language and the problems of translation

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that the module will comprise of basic language learning and study of grammar, following J Duff, Elements of New Testament Greek from chapters 1-12. As the semester progresses there will be an increasing focus upon examples and sections taken from the set text (John 1.1-18).

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Students are required to purchase:

• J Duff, The Elements of New Testament Greek (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005)

It is also recommended that you purchase one of the following, which may also be used in THE2034:

• B Newman, A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament (United Bible Societies, 1993)
• A Souter, A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (Oxford; reissued as a Classic Reprint).
• W Trenchard, A Concise Dictionary of New Testament Greek (Cambridge: CUP, 2003)

Other Recommended texts:

• S Kubo, A Readers Lexicon to the Greek New Testament (Michigan: Andrews University Press, 1979)
• G Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (Edinburgh;: T&T Clark, 1936)
• B Metzger, Lexical Aids for Students of New Testament Greek (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1986)
• S Bruce, Introduction to New Testament Greek Using Johns Gospel (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1999)

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2149

Key words search

Greek, Bible