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Episcopal
Theological Seminary of the Southwest
Section 1 - February 4 through May 2, 2008
Section 2 - Summer 2008 - June 16 through August 8, 2008
Instructor: Susan Jeffers susan@read-the-bible.org
If you have questions about the course itself, email the instructor, Susan Jeffers
at susan@read-the-bible.org. Please
specify that you are writing about the ETSS Greek course - I teach several others,
for other institutions.
For information on registration and fees, contact ETSS Admissions 512-472-4133.
This webpage was last updated 2/22/08
Course Description:
This course provides an intensive introduction to the basic elements of New Testament Greek (also known as Biblical Greek or Koine Greek). Students will master essential aspects of Greek morphology and syntax and acquire a substantial reading vocabulary. The courses employ both deductive and inductive methods, with increasing emphasis on the latter as students progress. By the end of the course, students will be able to translate passages from the Greek New Testament with the aid of a lexicon and grammar text. Students will be expected to use audio recordings and practice listening to and reading Greek aloud, as well as writing Greek both by hand and using a word processor with Greek fonts.
This courses will be conducted online, using open source online courseware known as Moodle. Students will need to arrange to take the final exam under supervision of a proctor.
Time Requirements
You will need to spend about 20 hours per week on this course in the 12-week format (Feb 4 -May 2, 2008), or 30 hourse per week in the 8-week format (summer 2008). Please clear your schedule so you will have sufficient time to devote to Greek. Your course time will be spent closely studying the textbook, completing workbook exercises and written assignments, listening to recordings, reading Greek aloud, and concentrated memorizing of vocabulary and grammar. Many students find it helpful to make flashcards or other memorization aids, and review them for brief periods throughout the week. You will also be required to log on to the online "Moodle" courseware and post online regularly.
Learning any language takes time and discipline; the rewards of learning to read the Bible in Greek are very great!
Required books:
A Primer of Biblical Greek, by N. Clayton Croy (Eerdmans). Second Edition,
2007 (includes a CD). ISBN 9780802860002.
NOTE: As of mid February 2008, the information on amazon.com for this
book is pretty confusing as to which edition and whether the CD is included.
I recommend using a different source until they get it straightened out. It's
$26.00 plus shipping from Eerdmans, http://www.eerdmans.com/shop/product.asp?p_key=9780802860002
Or you could special-order it from a local bookseller.
The Greek New Testament, Fourth Revised Edition with Dictionary (Deutsche Biblegesellschaft/United Bible Societies) ISBN 3438051133.
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd edition, by Walter Bauer, William Arndt and Frederick W. Danker (University of Chicago Press, 2000) ISBN 0226039331.
Optional:
(1) "Bible Works" software, available from www.bibleworks.com; ETSS has this software available for students to use on-campus, as do many other colleges and seminaries. It's pretty expensive to buy your own copy, but a wonderful tool if you can afford it. BibleWorks is a useful tool for working with Greek after this course is over. You will not be permitted to use it for the final exam, but you may find it useful during the course for homework and individual study. Just be careful not to let it become a crutch! Especially in the early stages of learning Greek, you should do your best to work through the exercises without use of BibleWorks or other helps beyond the required books and asking questions. If you get stuck, even for 10 minutes, ask online rather than taking shortcuts.
(2)
Optional books:
If you're interested in Biblical Greek and Hebrew generally, this is a fine resource:
How Biblical Languages Work: A Student's Guide to Learning Hebrew and Greek. Peter James Silzer & Thomas John Finley (Kregel, 2004).
(3) If your knowledge of English grammar is poor, or if you just want a review, consider getting one of these books:
English Grammar to Ace New Testament Greek. Samuel Lamerson (Zondervan, 2004) ISBN 0310255341 or
Grammatical Concepts 101 for Biblical Greek: Learning Biblical Greek Grammatical Concepts Through English Grammar. Gary A. Long (Hendrickson, 2006) ISBN 1565634063.
Install the fonts
A "font" is a set of characters in a particular size and style. Since Greek uses a different alphabet from English, you need a special "font" in order for the Greek characters to display on your computer. Just follow the instructions at the website below. If you have trouble, contact the tech support folks at ETSS, or get a computer-knowledgeable friend or relative to help you. Last resort, email the instructor. I'm willing, just probably not as capable as a real tech assistant, or someone familiar with your setup! Installing fonts isn't difficult; I offer the tech support suggestions just to reassure the technically challenged that help is available!
The public-domain "bwgrkl" font that the BibleWorks software uses is available free at the BibleWorks website. Unfortunately, tech support is only available from BibleWorks for persons who have purchased the BibleWorks software. Please use bwgrkl for all Greek typing in your written work and on Moodle.
When you have the fonts installed and working, you should see the Greek alphabet displayed below:
abgdezhqiklmnxoprstufcyw
You should also make sure you are able to type in Greek, for example in a word
processing document. Use the keyboard map from the BibleWorks website to see
which Greek characters go with which keys on your keyboard. For example, you
would use these keystrokes:
a - v - d - e - l - f - o - , - j
to type this Greek word using the bwgrkl font:
The adelfoj keys put the letters alpha-delta-epsilon-lambda-phi-omicron-sigma,
and the v and comma keys put the special marks over the letters that immediately
precede them (alpha and omicron respectively).
NOTE - Technology Requirements.
Although this is an online course, I mean for the technology to be as easy for students as possible. We're here to learn New Testament Greek, not computers! Students will have a range of options for working with the course materials.
Here are the tasks you'll need to accomplish, once the course officially begins, with the technological options for accomplishing each. You can get started with all except Moodle right now.
(1) Task: Hear Greek spoken and practice your own pronunciation.
Options:
(a) Use the Greek New Testament readings by Marilyn Phemister, available to
listen and/or download for free at http://www.ccel.org/a/anonymous/gnt/home.html
or by ordering her CD.
Note: As of early January there's a problem with this page; you should
be able to click on any chapter of the Greek Bible and listen to or download
an audio recording of Marilyn Phemister reading the chapter in Greek. I've notified
ccel and encourage you to do the same. I'm hopeful they'll fix it soon. Meanwhile,
here's her recording of John 1 in mp3 format if you want to practice.
(b) Use the modern Greek pronunciation recordings available online at
http://www.greeklatinaudio.com/
(c) Use the Zondervan
Readings in the Greek New Testamanet audio CDs.
(d) Use the Spiros Zodhiates Koine
Greek New Testament audio CDs. Note: Zodhiates' uses modern Greek pronunciation.
NOTE: Marilyn Phemister and the Zondervan recordings use the "Erasmian" pronunciation in common use in seminaries, colleges, and academic settings. It's your choice; or you can sample both!
(2) Task: Write Greek.
Options:
(a) Master the use of Greek fonts, and submit your written work using a word
processing document (I can accept MS Word, WordPerfect, or rtf format). Please
use the bwgrkl font, described above.
(b) Write your work out in longhand and fax it, or scan and upload or email
it.
(3) Task: Get to the online course itself ("Moodle") and read
or print the assignments and lectures. Type in your questions and check back
for answers.
Options: You need an internet connection, and just a little more skill than
it took you to find this web page. You can call or email the instructor if you
have trouble finding your way around Moodle, once the course officially begins.
If you are registered for the course, you will receive instructions for how
to log into Moodle a week or so before the course officially begins. If
you have logon problems AFTER THE COURSE STARTS, please contact Fito Kahn at
ETSS: 512-472-4133, ext 345; fkahn@etss.edu.
(4) Optional Task: Get feedback on your Greek pronunciation.
Options:
(a) Make an audio computer file using your computer's recording capability,
and email it to the instructor
(b) Make an audio cassette tape or CD and mail it to the instructor (email instructor
when you're ready to mail, to get current mailing address - we travel!)
(c) Arrange an appointment for a phone conversation with the instructor, in
which you read a short passage aloud
Any questions? Please email the instructor!
If you have questions about the course itself, email the instructor, Susan Jeffers at susan@read-the-bible.org.
For information on registration and fees, contact ETSS Admissions 512-472-4133.
About the Instructor
Susan Jeffers is a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
She graduated from the Earlham School of Religion with an MA in Biblical Studies,
May 1999. Since then she has taught as adjunct faculty for
Bethany Theological Seminary (New Testament Greek I, II and III), the Earlham
School of Religion (Quaker Studies courses), the Brethren
Academy for Ministerial Leadership (Introduction to Biblical Studies), and
the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center (Bible courses). Susan
presented at the most recent annual meeting of the
Society of Biblical Literature, November 2005, on the topic "Tips
for Teaching Greek Online." She also writes for Friends publications,
leads workshops on biblical topics, and leads an early morning Bible Study at
the regional Friends gathering known as Lake
Erie Yearly Meeting.