Introductory Hebrew or Greek

Module description

This module will provide students with a grammatical foundation in New Testament Greek. It will enable students to understand some grammatical elements of Koine Greek, and to read and translate selected biblical passages.

Assessment details

• 2 hrs unseen written exam (80%)
• 300-word coursework piece (20%)

For semester 1 study abroad students only, the exam component is replaced with a 3000-word essay. 

Educational aims & objectives

• To provide a grammatical foundation in either Biblical Hebrew or Koine Greek for the study of either the Hebrew Bible or the Greek New Testament.
• To enable students to understand some essential grammatical elements of either Biblical Hebrew or Koine Greek
• To enable students to read and translate, with assistance, selected biblical passages.
• To equip students with a foundational understanding of either Biblical Hebrew or Koine Greek so that they may advance to further study of the language.

Learning outcomes

Generic

• Demonstrate language-learning skills, especially skills related to learning an ancient language
• Develop skills in reading and translating primary texts written in an ancient language
• Develop and apply skills in interpretation of primary texts
• Develop an ability to engage critically with scholarship
• Confidently articulate ideas in written form
• Participate with confidence in classroom discussion

Module-specific

• Demonstrate an understanding of core elements of either Biblical Hebrew or Koine Greek
• Build a vocabulary of Biblical Hebrew or New Testament Greek words
• Read and translate (into good modern English) selected Hebrew Bible or New Testament texts in their original language
• Recognise problems and complexities in translating meaning from ancient language to modern English
• Analyse Hebrew or Greek words and grammatical structures
• Begin to develop skills in the interpretation of either New Testament texts in Greek or Biblical texts in Hebrew
• Engage with appropriate secondary literature

Teaching pattern

3 x 1 hr seminars per week 

Suggested reading list

Jeremy Duff, The Elements of New Testament Greek, 3rd edition, CUP, 2005 

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.