Starting Greek -- Syllabus –Fall 2001-- FL/GK 204

2 cr. P/F -- T 5-6:40 p. m. -- C. Luschnig (AD 310A) -- office hrs. Tuesdays before class.  Or contact me by e-mail: luschnig@uidaho.edu

Purpose of the course: Everybody wants to know Greek. This course is an introduction to the study of the Greek language. I hope it will be fun. We will look at some of the basic grammar, learn some words, and read some passages.

Attendance: Students who are taking a course should attend the sessions. If you must miss please ask another student in the class what we did that day and make sure that any homework is turned in. Late work will not be corrected. Of course we did something and you still have to learn it without the benefit of any class you miss. If you need help please ask questions, see me before or (briefly) after class. Best to do this right away. Attendance includes preparing the lesson. You will learn more that way. Time will be set aside during each class for you to work on the new material and see if you are getting it. Participation is expected. Two absences will be excused.

In class we will do at least one reading every session, review the material from the previous session and learn something new.

Grading: This course is Pass/Fail. There will be short quizzes and take home quizzes. The midterm and final reviews will each count as two and are required. (If you pass 12 or more of these quizzes / homework you will receive P. If you don't pass a quiz you may take it over until you do.) You may work in groups or pairs on the homework if you believe that you will learn better that way. Working together is a good way to learn, according to The Harvard Guide to Happiness. If you work in a group put all the names on one paper.

Useful Links

Schedule of Assignments and topics

Textbook: Study Guide, Starting Greek at the bookstore.  Luschnig, An Introduction to Ancient Greek is optional and is available at the library on reserve.

WEEK

I Tuesday, August 28 Introduction -- Alphabet and markings WORDS *Alphabet Song; Greek Signs ; Alphabet Book to print out and color.
   
For next time: learn the letters: pp. 1-2

II Tuesday, September 4 The sounds of Greek
   
For next time learn p. 2; exercises p. 3; turn in p 4 [quiz #1.]

III Tuesday, September 11 Accents -- (In class Quiz on alphabet # 2)
   
For next time learn p. 5-6; exercises p. 6 Take-home test on accents [quiz # 3] p. 7

IV Tuesday, September 18 Parts of speech. Inflections, cases
   
For next time learn pp. 8-12 try readings p. 14  Exercises on CASES p. 19-20 #4 (may be turned in 25 September or 2 October)

V Tuesday, September 25 The Article, Nouns of 1st and 2nd declensions
   
For next time study pp. 15-16, exercises p. 17 work on vocabulary.

VI Tuesday, October 2 Review of nouns: third declension (Quiz on vocabulary p. 16 #5)
   
For next time study pp. 21-22: work on the phrases on each page.

VII Tuesday, October 9 Nouns, prepositions
   
For next time study p. 21 ; work on the phrases pp.22-23

BIG REVIEW counts as 2 (##6,7)--due 16 October

VIII Tuesday, October 16 Adjectives, the verb "to be"
   
For next time study pp. 24-26. Readings p. 27 Turn in p. 26 (# 8)

IX Tuesday, October 23 Verbs: an overview
   
For next time study pp. 28-29 Turn in exercise p. 29 (# 9); try readings p. 30.

X Tuesday, October 30 Verbs: the Present
   
For next time learn pp. 31-2 exercises p 33 (# 10) "Swallow Song"*

XI Tuesday, November 6 [Election Day] Verbs: continued
   
For next time review the present. Write 5 sentences in Greek, using vocabulary you have had so far; try to read the sentences on p. 34

XII Tuesday, November 13 Verbs: the imperfect (Work-sheet on the present #11p. 35)
   
For next time learn p. 37; exercises p. 38

Thanksgiving Holiday

XIII Tuesday, November 27 Verbs: the future (Turn in exercises on the imperfect #12, p 38)
   
For next time learn p. 43 exercise p. 43; make up 5 sentences using the future

XIV Tuesday, December 4 Verbs: the aorist
   
For next time learn p. 45-6; practice verbs (p 46, or for a challenge pp. 48-9).  For next time begin working on final review pp. 51-54 (bring questions)

XV Tuesday, December 11 review-- principal parts an overview (Practice on aorist #14)
Final review (#15-16)--For next time turn in pp. 51-4

FINALS WEEK

Tuesday, December 18, 5-6:30 -- Final class session. Reading of a passage. Party: Greek foods and music. Turn in the final review by this time. Any late papers may be turned in at this time but not later. There cannot be any extensions beyond the final: this is an immutable law of the universe. Don’t even ask.

If you have a conflict you may bring an excuse from the Dean’s office or you can just cut, provided all tests and homework have been completed successfully. The final class, of course, is the culmination of the course and only a ba/rbaroj would think of missing it without good cause.

 

Contents of the Study Guide

I Grammar

II Appendices

III Texts