In this course, we will read selections from a wide variety of ancient Greek forms of commentary--that is, texts which interpret other texts. Our readings will be primarily Christian, as there is a particularly rich literature of commentary in ancient Christianity. We will begin with the homily, one of the most abundant and readable forms of commentary on passages of the Bible. As the semester progresses, we will read other, more technical forms of interpretive literature as well, including commentaries, question-and-answer literature, and scholia, considering questions of genre, audience, and purpose. We will also move beyond Christian literature into Jewish (such as Philo) and "pagan" Greek literature (such as the commentaries on Plato and scholia on Homer), and show the way that genres of commentary transcend any one religious community. This course will thus not only build students' confidence in working with continuous Greek prose; it will also build a useful skillset for future research in ancient Hellenophone religious traditions.

This course is a continuation of Elementary Pali I. The goal of this course will be to complete the study of the major elements of grammar found in Pali and to strengthen the student's familiarity with the language patterns found in standard prose works. The student will begin to gain experience in a wider range of literary styles. Prerequisites: Elementary Pali I or equivalent (with the permission of the instructor).

The main objective of the course is to be able to read the New Testament in the original. This is the second part of the two semester course where we will finish all Croy’s lessons, provided that a good understanding and working knowledge of the material has been attained. We will cover a chapter every two class meetings and the third meeting we will have a review, a quiz and may introduce a new chapter depending on the progress. The students will be expected to master the basic grammar and most common vocabulary of the New Testament Greek, complete all assignments on time and participate actively in class.

The purpose of the course is to teach fluent reading while reviewing grammar, syntax and vocabulary as needed. It presupposes that the student has taken one full-year course of Greek and that the student has a working knowledge of the elements of Greek morphology and syntax. In accomplishing the course's purpose, the student is introduced to a variety of NT and LXX texts as well as other texts by Greek authors.

The course builds on the grammar and syntax learned in Intermediate Biblical Hebrew I. Students will develop more sophisticated knowledge of Hebrew grammar and syntax and refine their ability to read Hebrew prose narratives in the first part of the course. In the second part, students will be introduced to Hebrew poetry. Selections from the Psalms and Prophets will dominate course readings.

Class is a continuation of STH TN723 New Testament Greek I. Both courses are required to receive credit

Class is a continuation of STH TO723 Biblical Hebrew I. Both courses are required to receive credit.

Students with little or no prior knowledge of Greek study the basic grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Greek. Course comprises plenary lectures, smaller sectional meetings, translation of selected New Testament passages, tutorials, and computer assisted instruction.

Students with little or no prior knowledge of Hebrew study the basic grammar and vocabulary of Old Testament Hebrew Course comprises plenary lectures, smaller sectional meetings, translation of selected Old Testament passages, tutorials, and computer assisted instruction

Continues GL501 expanding grammar and vocabulary. Emphasis on translation and analysis of basic grammatical structures and functions. Students continue in same format and small sections as GL501. Permits concurrent enrollment in NT 502.

Continuation of OL 501 with sustained emphasis on mastery of grammar and vocabulary. OL 502 will emphasize reading from the Hebrew Old Testament with introduction of some rudiments of exegetical method.

A study of the grammar of biblical Aramaic, followed by a reading of the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel, as well as short extra-biblical Aramaic texts.

This course is the final part of a two-year program designed to allow the student to read Buddhist canonical materials in Pali independently. The readings are taken from the canonical collections and are chosen and arranged thematically, exposing the student to key aspects of the teachings of Theravada Buddhism. The course readings are chosen to enrich the student’s understanding of these teachings, at the same time as strengthening language skills. The course will also introduce the student to commentarial material. The Theravada tradition has a rich body of material that explicates and comments on the canonical texts. Gaining familiarity with this style of writing will greatly benefit the student in subsequent reading of Pali material. 

A thorough introduction to classical Syriac, a Christian dialectic of Aramaic. The first semester will cover the basics of grammar, and the second will introduce students to texts from the Syriac tradition. Daily preparation and active class participation mandatory. This is an indivisible year-long course. Students must complete both terms of this course (parts A and B) within the same academic year in order to receive credit

A continuation of introduction to the native language of ancient Egyptian Christianity. Basic Sahidic Coptic grammar and syntax with selected readings from the Coptic Bible and other early texts. Prerequisite: HDS 4157 or equivalent.

Continuation of 4211. Focus on the reading of portions of the New Testament, along with continued work in classical Greek grammar and syntax. 

Selected readings of early Christian and Hellenistic Jewish authors, selected from the Apostolic Fathers, Apologists, hagiographic, apocryphal, gnostic materials, Irenaeus, Clement, Origen, Philo or Josephus. Texts will be chosen to consolidate Greek skills and, where possible, to reflect the interests of the class; each will be set in its historical and linguistic context as an essential part of translation and interpretation. Designed both for those who wish to gain reading skills with a variety of authors and for those who plan further study of Greek, e.g., in Advanced Greek (4230). 

Second semester course to cover German grammar, syntax, and translation; reading and translation practice of selected texts at the intermediate level related to theological and religious studies. 

This course is designed to help students gain proficiency in reading and translating texts related to theological French and religious studies, as well as academic French more broadly, at the intermediate level. Grammar and vocabulary are reviewed as needed. The syllabus may be adjusted according to the specific interests of the students enrolled in the course. 

This course focuses on Spanish reading comprehension and translation at the intermediate level, with special attention to theological and religious texts from across time periods, traditions, and genres. Students will also review key grammatical structures with the goal of improving students’ comprehension of written material in Spanish. In addition to the course readings, students will have the opportunity to work with and translate a text of their choice from their own research discipline.

An intermediate/advanced course to develop communication skills particularly suited to those planning to minister in Spanish-speaking environments. Exercises and exams center on outreach vocabulary as well as appropriate contexts for this field (congregations, counseling, hospital and/or correctional pastoral work, education, etc.). 

Continuation of elementary Arabic lessons and vocabulary, with an introduction to simple conversational and liturgical phrases, including, for example, the Trisagion Prayers and Little Ektenia. Prereq: Beginning Arabic I.

A study of the "koine" based on texts from the New Testament. The basic concepts of New Testament Greek Grammar, syntax and vocabulary are studied and applied on readings from the Gospels. The study is diachronic, taking into consideration the development of the Greek language fom its Classical origin to the "koine" and modern Greek. The aim of this course is to immerse the students in the study of the texts.



Prerequisite: New Testament Greek I

A growing emphasis on reading, vocabulary building and writing as well as an extensive use of oral sills acquired in the first semester. Lab required. Prereq: Beginning Modern Greek 1.

Modern Greek Lab

There will be a continuation of MDGK 6301 with fur¬ther review of grammar and syntax. There will be a growing emphasis on speaking, reading, and vocabulary building. An introduction to selected readings in Modern Greek. Required lab. Prereq: Intermediate Modern Greek I.

Modern Greek Lab

A continuation of Advanced Modern Greek I. Intensive study of the language with special focus on vocabulary expansion, advanced syntactical structures, and oral usage. Selected readings of literary texts with passages from contemporary writers and sermon presentations. Required lab.

Modern Greek Lab

This course is a thorough and rigorous introduction to biblical Hebrew, with emphasis on grammar that covers the second part of Lambdin, Introduction to Biblical Hebrew. The HebrewII course aims at providing students a fundamental knowledge of the following: basic Hebrew vocabulary (about 400 words); grammar; reading and translation of basic sentences from the Hebrew Bible; use of lexica, dictionaries, and electronic programs (e.g., BibleWorks). Hebrew II is a synchronous (via Zoom) online course.

It is assumed that the student has had no formal instruction in Latin or has had only one or two years of high school Latin.

The purpose of this course is to develop a proficiency in reading Ecclesiastical Latin at an intermediate level.