Western Seminary

 

Portland, Oregon

 

NTS 501: Functional Foundations of Greek I

Fall Semester 2004 (3 hours plus 1 hour lab)

Ken Wilmot, Instructor

Angel Wong Language Lab Assistant

 

Syllabus

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

For students who choose not to develop the skill to read and translate the New Testament into Greek, Western Seminary offers the functional language track.  It is designed to give students the practical ability to access the original Greek through the Bible Works computer program and other contemporary reference tools.  In the first semester students will develop a foundational Greek vocabulary, and understanding of the structure of language and essentials of Greek grammar along with learning the Bible Works computer program and other reference tools,

 

TEXT BOOKS

Bible Works 6.0

William D. Mounce, Basics of Biblical Greek

Daniel G. Wallace, Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics

 

COURSE GOALS

A.   The student will come to know God better and His plan for the Kingdom by having greater confidence in his/her ability to study the Bible and apply its truths to daily living.

B.    The student will implement a life long strategy of studying God’s Word in the language of the authors of the New Testament

C.   The student will be able to understand and translate biblical texts using sound hermeneutical principles through the means of Bible Works software.

a.      The student will understand the basic structure, grammar and syntax of New Testament Greek.

b.     The student will be competent in the essential skills of using Greek grammar to understand and translate biblical texts.

c.     The student will be able to use effectively the best print and electronic tools.

 

CONTACTING INSTRUCTOR

Office Hours: Wednesday and Friday (10:00 AM to Noon)

Phone: 503-654-1468 during days

Phone: 503-654-9962 during evenings

Email: Ken@BNWgroup.com

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

A.   Participation

Since this is a language class, regular participation in class exercises is crucial to the student’s success.  Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss any reading or lessons due for that day and to participate in classroom exercises. (0 hours)

   

B.    Reading Assignments

Each class period, the student is responsible to read thoroughly the assigned readings or to view Bible Works videos as indicated on the course schedule.  Additional readings may be assigned through out the course study period. (25 hours)

 

C.   Memorization

The student will memorize approximately ten vocabulary works per week.  The student will also memorize several basic paradigms for Greek verbs, nouns and the article.  There will be quizzes on both the vocabulary and grammar at the beginning of most class sessions. (20 hours)

 

D.   Bible Works

The student will either read sections from the User Manual or watch appropriate training videos in order to become familiar with the basics of the program. The student will also be provided training assistance through a one hour lab provided per week.  The student will be expected to use the Bible Works program to complete assignments and to be able to accomplish various basic tasks without referring to the User Manual or help file.  The student’s skill with the Bible Works program will be assessed during the two main exams. (5 hours)

 

E.    Lessons

The student will complete 11 lessons covering various grammatical, syntactical and exegetical issues.  The lessons are sequential and will build on the knowledge and skills gained from the previous lessons.  (33 hours)

 

F.    Examinations

Two examinations will be given as indicated on the course schedule.  Each one will encompass both knowledge of materials presented and ability to use the Bible Works software program. Each exam will be cumulative covering grammar, syntax, vocabulary and Bible Works skills mastered. (8 hours)

 

COURSE GRADING

A.   The final grade will be assigned as follows (percentages are approximate)

Learning Zeal and Participation            5%

Reading                                              20%

Quizzes                                              20%

Lessons                                             40%

Exams                                                15%

 

B.    Western’s grading scale: A+ = 100-99%, A = 98-95%, A- = 94-93%, B+ = 92-91%, B = 90-88%, B- = 87-86%, C+ = 85-84 %, C = 83-81%, C- = 80-79%, D+ = 78-77%, D = 76-74%, D- = 73-70%.

 

C.   Arrangements can be made for students needing to take quizzes and exams on alternative dates or who may need to hand in assignments on days other than indicated by the course schedule but arrangements need to be made at least one week prior to the date on which they are due. Otherwise late work will be assessed a reduction of grade of one half letter per class day.  All assignments are due on December 15, 2004 at the end of class.

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

Readings are identified by the first letter of the author’s name and the required chapter(s) or pages are indicated in the assignment column and need to be completed before the date discussed. Assignments in italics are the names of videos on the Bible Works “demo CD”.  All lessons are due on the date indicated unless prior arrangements have been made.  Additional reading and/or assignments may be incorporated into the course schedule as the semester progresses.  The course schedule is only a guideline and may be adjusted as necessary during the course of the semester.  The real course schedule is your life and how you integrate biblical language study into the course of daily living!