Gr 111 Elementary Attic Greek
fall 2011
The object of this course is to
develop a reading knowledge of Attic Greek, the principal dialect of ancient Greek.
By the end of the semester students should be able to:
1. translate with
reasonable accuracy with the help of a grammar and dictionary previously unseen
texts of moderate difficulty;
2. follow along and understand when a
previously unseen text is translated in class.
Gr 111 is a three-credit course meeting for 150 minutes a
week. The first eight or nine weeks of class are devoted to grammar
lectures that focus on the broader patterns of Greek inflection and grammatical
usage. Each grammar point is supported by a written English-to-Greek
exercise that the student does for homework. There is no required
memorization, and students are encouraged to use their notes as reference tools
when preparing the homework. The assumption of the course is that the
actual learning takes place in the doing of the homework, when students are
required to manipulate the material of the grammar lectures. The homework
is carefully corrected with explanations provided when students make
mistakes. Emphasis through all this is on grammar. Exercises and
classroom examples are based for the most part on a rather limited basic
vocabulary which students master, as they master the grammar, through repeated
use rather than memorization. The homework is in effect cumulative,
requiring students to review continually material previously covered. The
metaphor used to describe the course is that of a roughly built scaffold
continually reinforced by repeated use of the grammar, as opposed to a
conventional structure carefully built up one stage at a time, brick by brick.
We should complete this grammar work
in early November, and we will spend the rest of the semester reading excerpts
from Xenophon’s Anabasis.
There is no regular textbook for the
course. Prepared materials will be distributed as needed.
ASSIGNMENTS:
There is a separate written exercise
for most topics on the topic list. Usually there will be several
exercises per class. The exercises for all topics completed in a given
class are due by noon on the day before the next scheduled class. The
written exercises are a standing assignment that will not be repeated from
class to class.
Similarly, in the latter part of the
semester, a section Greek text from Xenophon’s Anabasis will be
assigned to be translated for review in the next class.
You can lose credit only by not doing
the assignments or by doing them in a rushed and careless manner. You
will not be penalized if you miss class for a legitimate reason (see below),
but you will be expected to arrange with the instructor to make up missed
assignments as soon as possible after you return. Simple absence without
a legitimate reason does not excuse you from the assignment due that day.
GRADING:
Three-fourths of the semester
grade will depend on the daily assignments described in the previous
section. A final exam will account for one-fourth of the semester
grade. The final, take-home exam will consist of Greek-to-English
translations of previously unseen texts; an on-line dictionary will be available,
and grammar notes, etc. may be used.
ABSENCES:
According to the Catalogue (p.
26) "All students are expected to attend every scheduled class session.
The impact of attendance on grading is specified in the syllabus." Because
of the importance of classroom work in this course no more than four absences for
any reason whatsoever will be allowed. Students with more than four
absences may apply for a "Withdrawal" from the course (see p. 20 of
the Catalogue); students with more than four absences who are not
permitted to withdraw from the course will receive a failing grade.
CLASS WEBSITE:
The website for this course is:
http://faculty.fairfield.edu/rosivach/gr111.
My office hours and other information relevant to the class will be posted
there.
E-MAIL:
If you have any questions on any
topic related to class, e-mail me and I will answer your question as soon as I
am able. My e-mail address is rosivach@fairfield.edu.
If you have to communicate with me for any reason, I would prefer that
you use e-mail, not voice-mail. If you
do use voice-mail, please do not expect me to return your call.