CLGR 101
Introduction to Greek Fall 2024
Division I

This course is the first half of a full-year sequence designed to introduce students to the exciting and rewarding process of reading ancient Greek texts in their original language. We will focus on Attic Greek, the dialect of the Greek language that was spoken in Athens during the Classical period (5th and 4th centuries BCE) and in which some of the most famous works of Greek literature (e.g., the tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides and the dialogues of Plato) were composed. But this course will provide a solid foundation in Greek grammar and syntax for students interested in studying other dialects (e.g., the distinctive Greek of the Homeric epics, or the koine of the New Testament) as well. For the fall semester, we will work on developing a firm grasp of Greek nouns, verbs, and adjectives, as well as learning some of the most common ways of constructing complex sentences. From the very beginning, students will have opportunities to apply their knowledge by translating brief excerpts from original Greek sources.