ΧΑΙΡΕΤΕ ΜΑΘΗΤΑΙ! (Welcome Students!)

Course Description:

This two-semester course provides an introduction to ancient Greek grammar and syntax and to the reading of ancient Greek literature; from the beginning we will be reading not only sentences and passages designed to give students practice but also excerpts from ancient prose and poetry.   We should be able to finish the basics by about the middle of the spring semester, and will spend the rest of the year reading and discussing longer selections (the choice partly to be determined by student interests, but probably including part of Plato’s Crito, in which Socrates defends his decision not to escape from prison and a death sentence, and Lysias’ first oration, a speech for the defense in a trial that sheds interesting light on Athenian domestic life.)

Required text: C.A.E. Luschnig, An Introduction to Ancient Greek.
(There will be other readings in the form of handouts.)

Luschnig’s text is divided into fourteen long chapters, many of which will take more than a week (but less than two weeks) to complete; I will be supplementing this syllabus with weekly assignment sheets.  Our aim will be to get through at least the first 9 chapters by the end of the fall semester.

(The elementary Greek classes at Haverford and Bryn Mawr are testing a new edition of Luschnig brought out by the author in collaboration with Prof. Hamilton at Bryn Mawr; we would appreciate hearing from you about any mistakes you find and any comments or criticisms you may have.)

Requirements:

Regular prepared attendance and participation:  It is particularly important to attend every class and keep up with the homework assignments, both written and oral: that is, you should not only hand in written assignments on time but be prepared to recite memorized material and translate prepared passages.  If you have to miss a class, please let me know in advance if possible (email is good); if you can come but are unprepared, please come anyway, and let me know at the beginning of the class that you are unprepared.

Quizzes and Quizlets: We will have a 15-minute quiz following the completion of each chapter (except the chapter that precedes the mid-term).  We will also have occasional unannounced 5-minute quizlets on whatever grammar, syntax, or vocabulary was prepared for a particular day.

Exams: There will be a midterm exam the week before or after fall break (date to be determined) and a final (self-scheduled) exam at the end of the semester.

Grading will be based on class participation and attendance, quizzes, quizlets, midterm and final exam.  I will drop the lowest quiz grade.

Assignments: I will hand out weekly assignment sheets.

Schedule:  There will be no class meeting on Friday September 15 (bi-college Classics retreat) or Monday October 2 (Yom Kippur).