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THL100 Introduction To Biblical Languages (8)

Abstract

This subject introduces students to rudimentary features of Biblical Hebrew and New Testament Greek. It acquaints students with the alphabets of both Hebrew and Greek, familiarises them with basic grammatical features of both languages and facilitates the learning of elementary vocabulary. The subject orients students to the range of grammatical and lexical tools available to support the use of scholarly resources based on Biblical Hebrew and New Testament Greek. It also raises student awareness of interpretive implications arising from cultural dimensions of biblical texts preserved in ancient languages.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Session 2
InternalCanberra Campus
Distance*Canberra Campus
*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: THL100
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Theology

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to recognise and reproduce the Hebrew alphabet
  • be able to recognise and reproduce the Greek alphabet
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of basic Hebrew grammar
  • be able to demonstrate an understanding of basic Greek grammar
  • be able to demonstrate recognition of elementary vocabulary in Biblical Hebrew and Greek
  • be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of relevant grammatical and lexical tools
  • be able to translate simple phrases from Biblical Hebrew and Greek into English
  • be able to demonstrate awareness of interpretive implications arising from cultural dimensions of biblical texts as ancient documents

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • Hebrew script and writing
  • Hebrew alphabet
  • Hebrew pointing (vowels)
  • Parts of speech
  • Basics of Hebrew grammar and vocabulary
  • Grammatical and lexical tools for Biblical Hebrew
  • Greek alphabet
  • Basics of Greek grammar and vocabulary
  • Grammatical and lexical tools for New Testament Greek
  • Information technology and biblical language studies
  • Interpretive implications of the preservation of the Bible in ancient languages

Residential School

This subject contains a optional 5 day residential school. The purpose of this residential school is to provide students with both the fundamental linguistic skills and confidence needed for the successful completion of this subject.

Residential activities include the learning and consolidation of the alphabets of both Biblical Hebrew and New Testament Greek, lectures, guided spoken exercises, guided vocabulary learning, orientation to grammatical and lexical tools, library orientation and tests.

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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.