OHIO VALLEY UNIVERSITY
BIB 160.01 Introduction to Biblical Languages (3 credit hours)

At Ohio Valley University, we seek to transform lives in a Christ-centered academic community
that integrates higher learning, biblical faith, and service to God and humanity.

Class days/times: MWF 1:15-2:05 pm
Location: Bible Annex, Room #07
Instructor: Bruce Terry
Office: Bible Annex, Room 201
Phone: (304) 865-6120 (office); (304) 295-6486 (home)
E-mail: bruce.terry@ovu.edu; Web site: http://bterry.com
Office hours:
M  10:00-11:00am; 3:05-5:05pm
T  3:30-5:00pm
W 10:00-11:00am; 3:05-5:05pm
Th 3:30-5:00pm
F  10:00-11:00am

I. Textbooks:

II. Course Description:

BIB 160 Introduction to Biblical Languages (3 credits) This course is an introduction to Greek and Hebrew. Students will learn the Greek and Hebrew alphabets, basic issues in grammar, methods of doing word studies, and the use of basic tools for biblical languages. Offered spring.

III. Rationale:

This course addresses the following objectives of the Bible program:

Objectives For Every Student

Provide students with a more in-depth study of the scriptures than what is gained in introductory studies and/or with training in Christian life and ministry

Objectives For Majors

Provide students with training in how to study the Bible for themselves

IV. Integrating Faith and Learning:

Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (ESV).  Consequently, this class will use biblical texts and references to texts to help the student grow in faith.  But simply hearing is not enough.  Jesus told those who believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32 ESV).  So it is necessary to keep doing what we learn.  In light of this, this course will also contain references to application of principles learned.  One of the objectives is a faith objective.  It will not be assessed for a grade, but life is such that it will be assessed, one way or another.  My prayer is that you will pass that test of life.

V. Course Objectives and National Standards:

1. To introduce students to the study of Greek and Hebrew
2. To teach students the Greek and Hebrew alphabets and sounds
3. To help students learn some basic vocabulary in Greek and Hebrew
4. To emphasize the grammatical similarities between Greek and English
5. To show the students how to use English tools that give access to the biblical languages
6. To encourage students to study the Bible for themselves

There are no national standards for undergraduate study of the Bible.  At OVU, we emphasize the biblical text and its application in our lives.

VI. School of Biblical Studies Mission Statement:

At the School of Biblical Studies, we seek to transform lives in a Christ-centered academic community by encouraging biblical faith to produce life-long truth-seekers who serve God in His kingdom throughout the world.

VII. Course Requirements and Evaluation:

Assessment of whether the objectives have been met will be based on the student's performance on homework and tests assigned by the teacher and on the student's ability to do relevant research on his or her own in papers described below. Academic abilities assessed include reading with understanding skills and grammar analysis skills as evidenced by homework and classroom discussion; and memory organization and retention as evidenced by quizzes and major exams.

Students' grades will be based on quizzes and homework over assigned readings, vocabulary lists, and alphabets; four major exams including the final exam; and classroom attendance and participation. The final exam will be comprehensive.

Class will NOT be dismissed during Lectureship week April 8-11 since those classes do not meet at this hour.

Ten points will be given for attendance. One point will be deducted for each class missed, including those missed for illness. The only exception to this will be those who miss on official school business and have an official notice to this effect; up to five such absences will not count against the student's grade if the student has no unexcused absences. Two grace days will be given to all students to allow for absences due to illness and excused absences for official school business. Note well: Grace days will be applied first to excused absences.

Additional readings/quizzes/essays/maps may be assigned.

All work is expected to be turned in on time. If for some reason you cannot make the due date, please ask my permission to turn the work in late. Late reading reports will be accepted for only half credit, since the readings will be discussed in class. Reports which are both late and short will be accepted only for quarter credit. Reading reports that are more than three weeks late will only be accepted for quarter credit.

No paper will be accepted that is more than two weeks late. A paper that is more than one week late may not be rewritten, except in unusual circumstances. A paper must be at least 75% of assigned length in order to be rewritten. The grade on a paper which is rewritten may be increased on content, length, and mechanical errors. Any rewrite should be turned in within two or three weeks of receiving the original graded paper back. All rewrites should be turned in with the original graded paper. No grade will be given to a paper which contains enough mechanical errors to dock the score by a letter grade (i.e., 40 mechanical errors). It will be turned back without a score and the rewrite counted as late. Be sure to proofread and spell check!

Students who are absent on exam days with good reason may schedule a make-up exam within the next week. You must ask to take a make-up exam. If a student misses an exam without good reason and is allowed to take the make-up exam, the grade on that exam will be docked by one letter grade (10 points). There is no guarantee that such a student will be allowed to make up any exam.

Students who score less than a 70 on a major exam may petition to retake the exam within a week after grades are returned on it. The highest grade on any retake exam will be 70. Once again, you must ask to retake an exam. There will be no retakes on the final exam. Study hard for it.

Definition of a Credit Hour

In 2011, the US Department of Education and OVU's accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission, established requirements regarding how much time is required to be spent on a course for each credit hour earned. As a result, all colleges and universities have been required to establish policies that adhere to this definition. In keeping with this requirement, OVU expects you to spend a minimum of two hours outside of class doing course work (reading, doing homework, writing papers, reviewing for tests, etc.) for each hour you spend in the classroom. Because this is a 3-credit hour course, you should expect to spend a minimum of 6 hours each week outside the classroom doing work for it.

VIII. Grading System:

The final grade will be based on your work in the following way:

          Attendance                10%
          Homework and Quizzes      25%
          Major Tests               45%
          Final Exam                20%

Extra credit in these areas will not be allowed to exceed these percentages. Extra credit in the course will be given for up to two one-page reports on the Inman Forum and a one-page book report on the pages in Metzger not assigned in class. Your final grade will be A, B, C, D, or F. An A will be given for an average of 100-90, a B for 89-80, a C for 79-70, a D for 69-60, and an F for any average below 60.

IX. Academic Integrity Policy:

Because Ohio Valley University expects students to follow the highest standards of honorable conduct in all areas of life, it is essential that students maintain high standards of academic integrity. Cheating, plagiarizing (whether intentionally misrepresenting another's work as one's own or failing to follow appropriate requirements of documentation), and helping others cheat or plagiarize are all violations of these standards, as is falsifying records such as those kept for field experiences, practica, internships, etc. Students who engage in these behaviors in a course in which they are enrolled will face appropriate consequences, which could include failing the assignment in question, failing the course, being placed on restricted status (i.e., the student will not be allowed to participate in on-campus activities, including intramurals, and may not represent Ohio Valley University in public events, including athletic competitions, performances, and presentations), or being suspended or dismissed from Ohio Valley University.

Students who engage in these behaviors when they are unrelated to a course in which they are enrolled will also face appropriate consequences, which could include being placed on restricted status or being suspended or dismissed from Ohio Valley University. If a student believes he or she has been falsely accused of academic dishonesty, or if the student believes the consequences of an incident of academic dishonesty are unjust, the student may ask that the situation be reviewed. To ask for a review, the student should give to the Provost written notice of the appeal and the reasons for it within three business days of being informed of the consequences of the alleged incident; detailed instructions about the appeal procedure are available in the catalog or from the Provost.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's work as your own, whether you mean to or not. Copying or paraphrasing passages from another writer's work without acknowledging that you've done so is plagiarism. Translating passages from another writer's work in another language without acknowledging that you've done so is plagiarism. Copying another writer's work without putting the material in quotation marks is plagiarism, even if credit is given. Allowing another writer to write any part of your essay is plagiarism.

Plagiarism is a serious crime. The maximum penalty at OVU is expulsion from the University.

Plagiarism is easy to avoid. Simply acknowledge the source of any words, phrases, or ideas that you use. If you're not sure how to quote or paraphrase a source or if you need help with the format of endnotes or bibliographies, check with me. While you can (and in fact should) seek the help and advice of friends, classmates, and tutors, be sure that your written work is completely your own.

Professional Dress

Students should dress modestly regardless of the type of clothes that they choose, and be aware that first impressions count and are often dictated by clothing choices. Specifically, members of the University community should avoid clothing that is revealing and/or features offensive slogans, language, or advertisements. Examples of revealing clothing include but are not limited to: midriffs or halters, mesh or netted shirts, tube tops, low cut blouses, short skirts and shorts exposing the upper thigh. Very tight clothing should be avoided. Examples of offensive slogans, language or advertisements include but are not limited to: curse words, sexually suggestive language or gestures, and references to alcohol or drugs.

Electronic Devices

Please turn cell phones OFF or ON SILENT before entering class. You may place your cell phone on your desk as a clock; otherwise, keep it put away. The use of cell phones, computers, and tablets for texting, calling, emailing, googling, checking the internet, tweeting, using facebook, and/or playing games is not permitted; such is distracting both to the students doing such and the students around them. Please put these electronic devices away. Do not use your device out of sight under the desk. If you should use your device in class without the teacher's permission, you will be asked to put it in the teacher's basket for the duration of the class period. I reserve the right to count you absent wholly or partially should you disregard this. Cell phone, smartwatch, or tablet use for voice, text, or data during a test will result in failure of that test!

X. Policy for Attendance and Tardies:

OVU Catalog:

Regular class attendance is most important. There is the potential for learning during each class session, and these opportunities are irreplaceable. By attending class, students have a deeper and richer learning experience, and they are often exposed to others' viewpoints. Instructors are responsible for recording attendance in each of their classes.

Students are responsible for knowing the attendance policy for each course and clearing excused absences with the instructor. Although students involved in Ohio Valley University activities may need to be excused from a class session, it is the student's responsibility to request the absence from the instructor and to discuss with the instructor how the absence may affect the student's ability to meet course requirements. While instructors should make reasonable accommodations for students who miss class because of Ohio Valley University-sponsored activities (e.g., academic competitions, performances, and athletic competitions) or other sound reasons (e.g., illness or family emergencies), students should recognize that not every course can accommodate absences and that neither the absence nor the notification of the absence will relieve the student from meeting course requirements.

A student who stops attending class sessions (or participating in an online course) for three consecutive weeks without a justifiable reason will be dropped from the course and given a grade of W (Withdrawal) if dropped before the 12th week of the semester; if the student is dropped after the 12th week of the semester, the grade will be F-IW (Failure-Improper Withdrawal). If the course in question is a course from which a student may not withdraw, the grade will be F-IW regardless of when in the semester the student is dropped.

Bible Class attendance policy

A student who is dropped from a required Bible course for violating the university's Class Attendance Policy will receive a grade of F-IW. If this is the first time a student has received a final grade of F-IW in a required Bible course, the student will be placed on Bible Course Probation for the next full semester. While on Bible Course Probation, a student will not be allowed to participate in university-sponsored activities, including student organizations and intramurals, and may not hold an elective campus office. In addition, a student on Bible Course Probation will not be allowed to represent Ohio Valley University at various events, including performances (except those required as part of a course), intercollegiate athletics, and other competitions. If this is the second time a student has received a grade of F-IW in a required Bible course, the student will be suspended from the university for one semester. See the catalog section "Bible Class Attendance Policy" for additional details.

Course Policy:

Attendance in class is mandatory; it will be part of the basis for the grade given. If you cannot attend for good reason, either notify me beforehand or as soon as possible afterward. This applies even if you have an excused absence. You will be expected to do all work of any classes missed, except for pop quizzes. If you do not intend to attend regularly, kindly withdraw from the class now.

Do NOT miss class simply because you do not have an assignment finished. Do NOT miss class if you can possibly come; save any absences for sickness or death in the family. If you have an extended illness, please contact me to let me know.

Kindly try to be a class on time. If you are consistently tardy for no good reason, I reserve the right to count three tardies as an absence. I do count half and other fractional absences.

If you have to leave early, please inform me before class. Do not schedule extra work, doctor's appointments, etc. during class time if at all possible. If you are too frequent in leaving early, I reserve the right to count early departures as a partial absence, adversely affecting your grade.

Absences may be excused if you bring me documentation that you were hospitalized, ill with a contagious disease, involved in an accident, on school business (up to five hours), or there was a death in the immediate family. More than five hours of absences which include three hours of unexcused absence will result in your being dropped from the course with either a W or an F at my discretion. You may pay a fine and petition to be reinstated. Additional unexcused absences will result in your being dropped without future reinstatement. No credit will be given for a course in which absences, both excused and unexcused, total more than 30% of the hours of the course (i.e., as many as 15 class hours, counting each class as 1 hour). Should you approach this limit, you will be asked to withdraw from the course (if possible). I reserve the right to drop you from the course as a warning at any time once you have at least 5 total absences or 3 unexcused absences. If you are dropped for any reason, reinstatement is not guaranteed and will be granted only if a plan for success is presented. Note well: Absences may adversely affect your grade, as outlined above under the topic Course Requirements. A drop from your only Bible course may affect your ability to enroll in the next semester.

Incompletes

If (and only if) you are unable to complete assigned work for the class because of an extraordinary life-event, you may request a grade of Incomplete. The request must be made through the registrar's office seven calendar days prior to the last day of class, and the Provost reviews these requests. The procedure is defined in the OVU catalog.

XI. Compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

If you have a diagnosed disability and need special accommodations, please notify the Office of the Provost before or immediately after your first scheduled class meeting. After your disability has been verified, inform your instructor and your instructor will work with you and the Office of the Provost to insure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in the course.

XII. Bibliography:

Greek-English and Hebrew-English books will be recommended as the course proceeds.

XIII. Course Calendar:

MAJOR EXAM DATES: Exam 1 -- Friday, February 2, 2018
                  Exam 2 -- Friday, February 23, 2018
                  Exam 3 -- Friday, April 6, 2018
                  Final Exam -- Monday, April 30, 2018
                                1:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.

Course Plan

WEEK ONE: 
 1/ 8/18 -- Introduction to the Course
 1/10/18 -- Using the Interlinear and other textbooks
                 homework: read Lightfoot, Lesson 2 and Black, p. 1
 1/12/18 -- Birth of the Bible

WEEK TWO: 
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 1 and Black, pp. 3, 5
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
 1/15/18 -- Greek Consonant Sounds
                 homework: read Black, pp. 4-5
 1/17/18 -- Greek Vowels and Diphthongs
                 homework: read Black, pp. 2-3 
                           study Greek alphabet 
 1/19/18 -- Greek Alphabet in Order

WEEK THREE: 
                 homework: read Black, pp. 6-8
                           study for alphabet quiz
 1/22/18 -- Greek Syllables and Accents
                 homework: TBA
 1/24/18 -- Levels of Language
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 4 and Black, pp. 10-13, 176-190, 199
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
 1/26/18 -- Verbs: Finite, Non-finite, Mood, Voice

WEEK FOUR:
                 homework: read Black, pp. 13-16, 20
                           study common Greek words for quiz (1)
 1/29/18 -- Verbs: Tense (Time and Aspect), Person, Number
                 homework: read Black, pp. 142-167, 197-199
 1/31/18 -- Verbs: Infinitives and Participles
                 homework: study for exam 
 2/ 2/18 -- Major Exam

WEEK FIVE: 
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 2 and Black, pp. 26-29
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
                           study common Greek words for quiz (2)
 2/ 5/18 -- Nouns: Declensions, Gender, Number
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 3
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
 2/ 7/18 -- Nouns: Case: Nom. & Acc. (Subj. & Obj.)
                 homework: review Goodrick, Lesson 3
 2/ 9/18 -- Nouns: Case: Gen. & Dat. (Poss. & Ind. Obj.)

WEEK SIX: 
                 homework: read Black, pp. 37-38, 58-62 
                           study common Greek words for quiz (3)
 2/12/18 -- Voc., 8-case System, Prepositions & Postpositions
                 homework: read Black, pp. 65-70, 171-173
 2/14/18 -- Pronouns: Personal, Relative
                 homework: read Black, pp. 80-83, 169-171
 2/16/18 -- Pronouns: Indefinite, Demonstrative, Interrogative

WEEK SEVEN: 
                 homework: read Black, pp. 42-46
                           study relative pronouns for quiz (Black, pp. 172)
 2/19/18 -- Adjectives
                 homework: read Black, pp. 29-30, 37, 199-201
 2/21/18 -- Articles
                 homework: study for exam 
 2/23/18 -- Major Exam

WEEK EIGHT: 
                 homework: study Greek articles for quiz (Black, pp. 37)
 2/26/18 -- Adverbs
                 homework: read Black, pp. 30-31, 22, 170, 180
 2/28/18 -- Conjunctions and Particles (esp. Negatives)
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 5 and Black, pp. 31, 201-204
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
 3/ 2/18 -- Syntax: Clause (Word Order, Transitivity)

SPRING BREAK

WEEK NINE: 
                 homework: read Black, pp. 205-209 
                           study common Greek words for quiz (4)
 3/12/18 -- Syntax: Sentence (Simple, Compound, Complex)
                 homework: read Black, pp. 209-210
 3/14/18 -- Paragraphs and Discourse (Foreground, Background, Peak)
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 6
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
 3/16/18 -- Tools: Interlinears

WEEK TEN: 
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lessons 7 and 11
                           study common Greek words for quiz (5)
 3/19/18 -- Tools: Lexicons
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 10
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
 3/21/18 -- Tools: Concordances
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lessons 8-9
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
 3/23/18 -- Word Study

WEEK ELEVEN: 
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 13
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
                           study common Greek words for quiz (6)
 3/26/18 -- Tools: Commentaries
                 homework: read Lightfoot, Lessons 3-4 (2nd ed.), 3-5 (3rd ed.)
 3/28/18 -- New Testament Manuscripts
 3/30/18 -- Good Friday--No Class

WEEK TWELVE: 
                 homework: read Lightfoot, Lessons 5-6 (2nd ed.), 8-9 (3rd ed.)
 4/ 2/18 -- Copying Mistakes
                homework: read Lightfoot, Lesson 7 (2nd ed.), 10-11 (3rd ed.) 
 4/ 4/18 -- Editions of the Greek New Testament
                 homework: study for exam 
 4/ 6/18 -- Major Exam
Last Day to Drop a Class with a "W"--Stick with it to the end!

WEEK THIRTEEN: OVU Lectureship
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 14
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
 4/ 9/18 -- Hebrew Consonant Sounds
                 homework: TBA
 4/11/18 -- Hebrew Vowel Sounds
                 homework: study Hebrew alphabet
 4/13/18 -- Hebrew Alphabet in Order

WEEK FOURTEEN: 
                 homework: study Hebrew alphabet for quiz
 4/16/18 -- Hebrew Vowel Pointings
 4/18/18 -- Reseach Day
                 homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 15
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
 4/20/18 -- Hebrew Grammar

WEEK FIFTEEN: 
                  homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 16
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
 4/23/18 -- Hebrew Analysis
                homework: read Goodrick, Lesson 17
                           write a half page summary of Goodrick
                           study common Hebrew words for quiz
 4/25/18 -- Hebrew Lexicons and Concordances
                 homework: read Lightfoot, Lesson 8 (2nd ed.), 12-13 (3rd ed.)
 4/27/18 -- Old Testament Text

WEEK SIXTEEN: Final Exam Week
                 homework: study for final exam
 4/30/18 -- Final Exam (1:00 - 2:50 p.m.)

N. B.: Homework is listed before the class for which it is due!

THIS SYLLABUS MAY BE MODIFIED AS THE TEACHER FEELS NECESSARY!


Bruce Terry's Home Page
Bruce Terry's Home Page   Class Index Page  Class Index Page
http://www.bterry.com/sylbi160.htm hosted at http://bible.ovu.edu/terry/sylbi160.htm
Last updated on January 6, 2018
Page maintained by Bruce Terry