Ancient Greek courses offered - Athenaze by Gilbert Lawall and Maurice George Balme
Ancient Greek courses offered
Beginners I-II
This course is intended for students who have never studied ancient Greek, or those wishing to start again from scratch. Students will learn to read the Greek alphabet, understand simple texts, and express themselves clearly by using basic vocabulary. Teaching will be conducted initially in English, but ancient Greek will gradually become the main language of the classroom. Using the Athenaze textbook, and other materials from time to time, you will learn the present indicative, imperative and infinitive, the active and middle voices, the first three noun declensions, adjectives of three and two terminations, -α- and -ε- contract verbs, and the main prepositions (ἐν, εἰς, πρός, ἀπό περί, ὑπό, ἀνά, ἐπί, κατά, παρά). Lessons will involve reading, speaking, and grammar exercises, and homework will be encouraged.
Pre-intermediate I-II
This course is for students who have mastered all or most of the grammar listed in the ‘Beginners’ course description. Students will enrich their vocabulary and develop their ability to read and understand simple texts written in ancient Greek. The main language of the classroom will be ancient Greek, but English will always be available as and when required. Continuing with Athenaze, and other materials from time to time, you will study the third declension, present active and middle participles, some impersonal verbs, and the first (sigmatic) and second aorists. Lessons will involve reading, speaking, and grammar exercises, and homework will be encouraged.
Intermediate I-II
This course is for students who have mastered all or most of the grammar listed in the ‘Beginners’ and ‘Pre-intermediate’ course descriptions, and who have developed a proficient vocabulary. Students will enrich their vocabulary and develop their ability to read and understand reasonably complex texts. The main language of the classroom will be ancient Greek, but English will always be available as and when required. Continuing with Athenaze, and other materials from time to time, you will study various third declension nouns, the imperfect tense, relative and demonstrative pronouns, -ο- contract verbs, aorist participles of all voices, final clauses, and a number of connecting particles. Lessons will involve reading, speaking, and grammar exercises, and homework will be encouraged.
Advanced I-II
This course is intended for students with a sound knowledge of ancient Greek grammar and prior experience in reading ancient Greek texts as well as discussing them in ancient Greek. We will read a selection of texts from different authors spanning from the age of Homer to the early Byzantine period. The selection will aim to expose students to a variety of different styles. We will focus on discussing the texts in their literary context as well as trying to internalize ancient Greek idiom in order to develop an intuitive feel for the language and its finest nuances.