Unit information: Advanced Greek: Exegesis and Syntax in 2011/12

Unit name	Advanced Greek: Exegesis and Syntax
Unit code	THRSM0093
Credit points	40
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Reverend Dr. Nolland
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	L32002 Intermediate New Testament Greek or L42002 Further New Testament Greek
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The unit will involve a close study of 2 Corinthians 1-7. This will be linked with a study of the contents of the intermediate syntax handbook Brooks, J. A. and Winbery, C. L. Syntax of New Testament Greek corrected and reset 1988 (Washington, DC: University Press of America, 1979).

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of the unit students should:

• be able to draw upon a much more sophisticated understanding of the syntax of the substantive and the verb in their use of the Greek New Testament;
• be ready to appreciate the wide range of meaning possibilities opened up by this;
• be aware of the flexibility of Hellenistic Greek to the point where they can move beyond over-rigid classification of meaning on the basis of syntactical form;
• have gained increased confidence in translation;
• be able to integrate in a balanced way the contribution of language based skills to the exegetical endeavour;
• have made considerable progress in making independent critical judgements in exegesis;
• have gained skills in drawing together issues of historical reconstruction, source analysis, close analysis of text, rhetorical strategy, function in broader literary context, etc. into a holistic understanding of the meaning and function of a text;
• have gained a depth of insight into 2 Cor 1-7, especially in connection with an exploration of Pauls understanding, in the light of the cross, of the nature of true apostolic ministry.

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through lectures, seminars and discussion of published materials.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment: Students will take turns a producing translation and syntax notes and will be given feedback on their work; a seminar paper for each student will be discussed in a class session with feedback from fellow students and the tutor.

Summative assessment is through: Either A series of syntax tests (3) and translation with syntax tests (2) [50%] and a rewritten version of the students seminar papers [50%] or Students may forgo the translation with syntax tests (syntax tests will then count 25%). In this case the remaining 25% of the assessment will be based on one of the following:

• a brief critique of a chosen book on contemporary church leadership from the perspective of 2 Corinthians 1-7;
• a theological reflection in light of 2 Cor 1-7 on the students own experience of the churchs patterns of ministry;
• a set of priorities for ministry today formulated in connection with what has been explored in 2 Cor 1-7.

Reading and References

• Barnett, P., The Second Epistle to the Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).
• Brooks, J. A. and Winbery, C. L., Syntax of New Testament Greek corrected and reset 1988 (Washington, DC: University Press of America, 1979)
• Murphy-OConnor, J., The Theology of the Second Letter to the Corinthians (Cambridge & New York: Cambridge University Press, 1991).
• Porter, S. E., Idioms of the Greek New Testament. (Sheffield: JSOT, 1992).
• Savage, T.B., Power through weakness: Paul's understanding of the Christian ministry in 2 Corinthians (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996).
• Thrall, M. E., The Second Epistle to the Corinthians (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1994, 2000).