U of M Catalog Description

Introduction to grammar/vocabulary of classical Greek as written in Athens in 5th/4th centuries BCE. Forms/simple constructions. Some reading of simple, heavily adapted passages from ancient texts.

Class size limit: 22

Sample Syllabus

Recommended Course Description for
High School Registration Guides

In Greek 1001, we will cover approximately the first half of the usual introduction to ancient Greek grammar. The next course in the sequence is Greek 1002), and by the end of that course, you will have enough Greek to go on to more advanced classes on individual authors or topics. The Greek that we study is the Classical Greek of 5th and 4th century BCE Athens. The course will prepare you well to read, for example, the tragedians Sophocles and Euripides, the philosophers Plato and Aristotle, as well as Xenophon, Lysias, and Demosthenes. But once you have learned Classical Greek, you can also learn different dialects of Greek, such as those used by Homer, Hesiod, or Sappho. Learning the Koine (Common) Greek of the New Testament is particularly straightforward. This class is primarily designed for students who have never studied Greek.

Student Qualifications

Students enrolling in GRK 1001 must be juniors or seniors in high school and have instructor approval to participate. They should also have successfully completed at least three years of high school Latin. Ninth and tenth graders may apply to enroll in GRK 1001 if they meet prerequisites.

Instructor Qualifications

Instructors apply and are selected by faculty in accordance with the U of M policy governing Academic Appointments with Teaching Functions. Once approved, an instructor is appointed as a Teaching Specialist 9754 (University Job Title and Code) in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies. Instructor qualifications are determined by the sponsoring University department.

View the Instructor Applicant Handbook for course-specific qualifications and application steps. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all materials specified or mandated by the University of Minnesota? If not, what are some of the choices? 
Required Textbook: Anne Groton's From Alpha to Omega: A Beginning Course in Classical Greek, Fourth Edition (ISBN 978-1585103911). Approximately $36 at Amazon.com.

Instructors may incorporate supplemental materials in consultation with the faculty coordinator.

Do teachers have a choice in assignments? Are there required assignments? 
Teachers have flexibility in assignments.

Who creates the exams?
Mid-semester (or mid-year) exams and final exams are the same as those used on campus. Teachers create all other tests.

Is there a training and mentoring system for Greek teachers new to CIS?
Yes. Experienced instructors help new teachers get accustomed to the system. Teachers frequently email one another with questions and share materials with the whole group. Teachers also benefit from two New Teacher workshops that focus on course content and University processes, as well as an orientation to College in the Schools that will familiarize them with the support available through CIS and prepare them for administrative tasks such as registering students and posting grades.

High school class schedules vary: can a teacher in the block system teach U of M Greek?
All courses offered through CIS have the same minimum number of contact hours as the on-campus sections. Generally, teachers have been able to adapt the University schedule for Greek to fit the schedules at their high schools. To make sure that the block schedule at your school will work for the University Greek course please contact one of the faculty co-coordinators (contact information above).

What happens at typical teacher workshops?
Typical activities at CIS workshops include meeting University faculty and hearing about their recent research in the discipline; reviewing and/or developing student assessment tools; sharing instructional materials; discussing particular content, pedagogy, or assessment of the University course; receiving updates on CIS program policies and practices.

What happens at typical student field days?
Student field days provide an opportunity for CIS students to meet their peers, practice skills they have learned in class, and explore the Twin Cities campus. Greek students are introduced to the broad range of Greco-Roman civilization present in the Twin Cities. Past field days have included visits to the ancient coin collection in the Weisman Art Museum and the collection of Latin manuscript leaves and facsimiles in the Andersen Library, as well as taster language classes in Greek, Coptic, and Hebrew and visits to university classes.

High Schools Offering This Course

  • Nova Classical Academy (Saint Paul)
  • Parnassus Preparatory School (Maple Grove)
  • Providence Academy (Plymouth)