Course Syllabus: Greek 1003 (section 001)
University of Arkansas. Fall, 2022. Professor Daniel B. Levine
Image: Persephone. 400-338 BCE. Silver
Aeginetic stater from Opuntian Locris (on the Aegean coast north of Phocis,
from the Euboean Strait to Thermopylae). Obverse of coin, showing the goddess’
head, left, wearing ear-rings and necklace, her hair wreathed with reed.
[from: Norman Davis, Greek Coins and Cities: Illustrated from the Collection
at the Seattle Art Museum. London, 1967.]
WELCOME TO GREEK!
This term we will begin the exciting process of learning to read Ancient Greek. Taking this class is the start of a challenging journey, filled with the joy of discovery and the thrill of learning new ways to see the world. We will concentrate on learning Greek grammar, which is a beautiful thing, and on reading Greek and translating it literally into English.
TEXT
Our textbook is Cecilia Luschnig’s AN INTRODUCTION TO ANCIENT GREEK: A LITERARY APPROACH (Second Edition). Its emphasis is on reading the language: in sentences and paragraphs. Each chapter contains vocabulary to memorize, grammar explanations, and written exercises. The back of the book contains a Greek-To-English Glossary and an English-to-Greek Glossary, and charts of the forms of Greek Nouns, Definite Articles, Pronouns, Adjectives, Numerals, Adverbs, and Verbs. Finally, there is an index of Greek syntax. This is a very useful book, which we use for both semesters of Elementary Greek, so Take Good Care of It. Please write your name in the front of the book, so if you leave it in the classroom (or elsewhere), others will be able to return it to you. The first few pages of the text are linked here.
I have made recordings of the sound of the Greek alphabet and the first Greek words in our textbook. I suggest that you listen to these several times before the class begins, while looking a the appropriate pages in our textbook, so you get an idea of how we will pronounce this language in class. You may listen to them here: https://wordpressua.uark.edu/dlevine/listen-to-ancient-greek/
Because many students find such things useful, you might want to get a book that relates English grammar to ancient Greek grammar. This will help you to see how the different elements (and terminology) of Greek grammar relate to English. Learning Greek is a great way to understand English grammar better. You’ll see that this is true! A Student Handbook of Greek and English Grammar, by Robert Mondi and Peter Corrigan. It explains everything that we will be learning this semester, beginning with Parts of Speech (which are vital). This book will help make learning ancient Greek easier for you, because it explains Greek grammar and syntax in comparison to English. It will make things clearer. It is not required for this class, but it might be a good investment. If you get it, please use it in good health.
Languages do not arise in cultural vacuums. It is vital to know something about the people who used this language: in the theater, in the courtroom, in the stadium, in the fields, at dinner, in the nursery, at the altar, in the bedroom. For this reason, the professor will speak of Greek culture at appropriate times during the semester.
Although Ancient Greek is no longer spoken, it was a living language for two and a half millennia before evolving into Modern Greek. When you finish your careful study of AN INTRODUCTION TO ANCIENT GREEK, you will be able to read simple Attic prose and the New Testament with some facility. The first few pages of the text are linked here. Look them over to get an idea of what Greek looks like!
PROCEDURES
In class we will read Greek aloud, discuss and drill on grammar and word forms, and translate from Greek into English and English into Greek. We will have numerous quizlets (known affectionately as “Special Learning Opportunities”) based on the readings, grammar, and exercises, as outlined in our Schedule of Classes. We will ask and answer questions. The professor will endeavor to call on every student in every class.
It is vital to come to every class and to prepare fully each lesson. Most students will spend at least two hours on preparation for each class period. If you cannot schedule this time, you will find it difficult to learn Ancient Greek. You should also feel free to consult the professor outside of class with questions or concerns. He wants to help! Office Hours: MWF 10:45-11:45, and by appointment.
If for some reason you have to miss class, let the professor know by email or a note. If you cannot let him know ahead of time, please bring a note or send him an email as soon as possible.
In each class you will be asked to read Greek aloud, to translate from Greek into English, and to answer grammar questions. I expect you to ask questions based on the readings and exercises you have done. Please get used to jotting down questions before class to ask when you arrive, or be sure to note which parts of the assignment you want to ask about. Be sure to ask specific questions. Students will also write Greek on the board. That’s always fun, too.
GRADES
Grades will be determined on the basis of performance on Special Learning Opportunities (quizlets) (45%), Homework Assignments (30%), class preparation/participation (25%). It is clear that students must concentrate on daily preparation. The grading scale is on a percentage basis: 90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D.
WORKING TOGETHER AND ACADEMIC HONESTY
As a core part of its mission, the University of Arkansas provides students with the opportunity to further their educational goals through programs of study and research in an environment that promotes freedom of inquiry and academic responsibility. Accomplishing this mission is only possible when intellectual honesty and individual integrity prevail. Each University of Arkansas student is required to be familiar with and abide by the University’s Academic Integrity Policy, which may be found at http://provost.uark.edu/245.php. Students with questions about how these policies apply to a particular course or assignment should immediately contact their instructor.
I encourage students to work efficiently and honestly. If this includes studying together, go for it. However, the products of student work must be personal. That is, if you study together, do not copy the answers to an exercise that your study partner has written. Do discuss the work, and if you arrive at an answer together, you may both write the answer. The main point is that you do your own work, and do not steal some else’s work. Identical homework will arouse the suspicion of academic dishonesty. Be honest. Do not give your homework assignments to another student to copy. Do not ask for someone else’s work so that you can copy it. If you are not sure what academic dishonesty is all about, please check with the Office of Academic Integrity & Student Conduct http://ethics.uark.edu/. The professor will report all students involved in incidents of academic dishonesty.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you are registered with the Center for Educational Access for the purpose of accommodation, please inform the professor before the semester begins, or in the first week of class, and bring all relevant paperwork to his office in a timely fashion http://cea.uark.edu/.
AND FURTHERMORE…
We will have fun and learn a lot. Otherwise illiterate Athenian citizens could listen to and enjoy the works of Homer, Pindar, Herodotus, Euripides, Aesop, Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Aristophanes. If they could learn this language, you can too. I look forward to sharing this experience with you, and will do my best to help you learn this beautiful and vital language.
CONTACTING ME
Daniel B. Levine, University Professor of Classical Studies dlevine@uark.edu. My office hours are MWF 10:45-11:45am, and by appointment, in Kimpel Hall 502. I want to be available if you need help. My direct office telephone is 575-5937. You may leave a telephone message for me with the Secretary of the World Languages Department at 575-2951). My mailbox is in Kimpel Hall 425, World Languages Department. Feel free to leave messages there.
I am happy to talk about Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies. In addition, I am the Classical Studies Advisor, and will also be glad to discuss the major and minor in Classical Studies at the University of Arkansas as well as study abroad opportunities in Greece and Italy.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
When the University of Arkansas is officially open during severe weather, I plan to meet my classes, barring an accident en route. If off-campus students cannot come to class because of severe weather, they will be allowed to make up in-class work they missed. Be sure to communicate with me on bad weather days.
SOME TIPS FOR SUCCESS IN THIS CLASS.
Coming to class is very important to success in this course. Experience has shown that students who are faithful attendees do better than those who skip class.
Doing all your homework for every class is also a predictor of success. Do not think that you can just come to class and listen to the right answers and thus “learn” the material. Doing it yourself (and making your own mistakes) is vital to the process of keeping the material in your head.
To learn Greek, you need commitment and serenity. Panic and apathy are your enemies. Set aside at least two hours for each homework assignment (that’s six hours per week outside class). We will go at a steady pace, and it is important to stay current with the homework. It is very difficult to cram for a Greek examination if you have missed several assignments.
Be patient. Sometimes you will want to hurry through the material and not give it the time it needs. This can lead to frustration. Keep telling yourself that the material makes sense, and that you can do it. Be positive: If you don’t get it, do not complain that the ancient Greeks have made your life miserable with their grammar; psyche yourself down: relax, take a deep breath, and be logical in your approach to your work. Haste is your enemy, too.
Do not write translations of Greek sentences in the textbook. Your eye should be used to reading Greek and thinking Greek; not reading English and somehow relating it to the funny-looking letters next to it. You should feel free to write notes to yourself, and underline and highlight things, but do not write translations of sentences. Doing so creates a crutch that is hard to throw away.
Also, do not write transliterations of Greek words to help with pronunciation (at least do not do it after the first week). Get used to the pronunciation right away. Listen to the recordings I have put on our website. From the first week, you must practice the alphabet, and know the vowels, diphthongs, and breathings. The rules of accent will come along the way, but must also be learned. Do not be afraid that you will sound funny: try to say everything out loud.
Return to Main Page: Greek 1003
Recent Comments