MA Religions and Theology / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
New Testament Greek: Beginners

Course unit fact file
Unit code RELT70210
Credit rating 30
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

The aim of this course is to help you master the basic morphology, syntax and vocabulary of koine Greek as a basis for critical interpretation of the Greek New Testament and for further study of the language beyond this unit. You will be expected to build on these foundational platforms and apply them to NT exegesis.

Aims

  • Have learnt the vocabulary most commonly found in the New Testament; 
  • Have become familiar with the basic rules of inflection, being able to identify and parse both regular and irregular word-forms
  • Have acquired experience in using Greek and a range of scholarly tools (e.g., lexicons and standard grammars) for purposes of critical exegesis and interpretation of the New Testament.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this course students will be able to:

  1. Navigate and identify the word forms of the Greek New Testament.
  2. Translate sections of the New Testament and compare them with standard English translations.
  3. Analyse commentaries on the Greek NT text and evaluate scholarly arguments
  4. Produce grammatically nuanced exegetical essays

Intellectual skills

1.         Grasp the key nuances of grammatical and syntactical analysis and deduce how they apply to hermeneutic methodology and to NT exegesis.

2.         Discern strengths and weaknesses in English translations of Greek texts.

Practical skills

  1. Production of critically informed exegetical essays.
  2. Ability to produce English translations of the Greek NT for research purposes.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Sharpening of critical analytical skills.
  • Training in attention to detail, nuance and ability formulate best fit positions from range of positions.
  • Enhanced cultural sensitivity from placing accurate translations into diverse contemporary cultural contexts, noting development of language and evolution of meaning.

Employability skills

Other
¿ Translation skills for use in specific work involving handling non-English texts ¿ Ability to perform comparative analysis, evaluating strengths and limitations of any body of material ¿ Confidence in interpretation of data and production of reports appropriate for diverse audiences ¿ Confidence in public communication ¿ Training in balancing time and working to deadlines

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 20%
Written exam 30%
Written assignment (inc essay) 50%

Class Tests:

Test 1- 10%

Test 2- 10%

 

 

Feedback methods

Feedback Method Formative and Summative
Homework feedback in class Formative
Written feedback on exegetical essay Summative


 

Recommended reading

Aland, B., et al. (eds). The Greek New Testament.5threv. edn. Stuttgart, 2014.

Bauer, W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rdedn, rev. F.W. Danker. Chicago, 2000.

MacNair, Ian. Teach Yourself New Testament Greek. Nashville, 1995.

Duff, J. Elements of New Testament Greek. 3rdedn. Cambridge, 2005.

Porter, S.E. Idioms of the Greek New Testament. Sheffield, 1992.

Wallace, D.B. Greek Grammar beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, 1996.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 44
Tutorials 2
Independent study hours
Independent study 252

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Andrew Boakye Unit coordinator

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