In light of the COVID-19 crisis, it is with great regret we have had to take the decision to cancel this year’s First Steps into the World of New Testament Greek. It is extremely disappointing and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. We hope to run this course next year.

First Steps into the World of New Testament Greek

6th – 10th July 2020

Newman University

Would you like to hear and read the New Testament in the language in which it was originally written? Have you ever thought of learning New Testament Greek but were afraid that you were just not clever enough? Would you like to spend five days this summer having fun with a group of like-minded people as they begin to discover an old language that shaped the world?

First Steps into the World of New Testament Greek is a fun and informal 5 day course that introduces you to Koine Greek (the type of Greek used by the writers of the New Testament). It assumes absolutely no prior knowledge of the language and will begin with the alphabet. We will work as close as possible to New Testament texts (including working from some manuscripts) and by the end of the course you will be able to read simple sentences from the New Testament. 

The course will be particularly useful for those wanting to read the primary sources (New Testament, Septuagint, Church Fathers) in their original language or scholarly works where Greek terms and passages are cited. Although the emphasis will be on the later form of Greek (koine) used by the New Testament authors, much of the course can be directly applied to other forms of Greek and would therefore be helpful for historians wanting an introduction into Classical Greek.

Learning a language… plus a whole lot more

The aim of this course is not simply about language acquisition, but to create an awareness of the many, sometimes overlooked, aspects of learning an ancient language.

Alongside learning the language, we will also have sessions that explore the world in which NT Greek was used and find out how those writing and copying the manuscripts worked. In this way we begin to discover the interrelationship between the language and the society/ies in which it was used and how understanding one can help us to understand the other.

As the week progresses you will become aware of the difficult, but important, role of the translator. These will include ‘HOT-SEAT’ sessions, where you decide the best way to express a clause or phrase from the New Testament. The week ends with us taking stock of what we have all learnt and, with your newly acquired knowledge, practically exploring the process of translation and what makes a good translation.

It is not as hard as you think

Learning anything new can be rather intimidating and I can profoundly sympathise with you if you feel that learning an ancient language is not just daunting, but well nigh impossible!

Don’t worry. The emphasis of this course is on building confidence and taking the fear out of learning a new language. It is a challenge, but it is a challenge that YOU can achieve.

The structure of the course assumes no previous knowledge of foreign languages.

Each day runs from 10.00 – 15.30.

• £150 or £30 per day
• External students – £125 or £25 per day
• Newman alumni and returners- £50 or £10 per day
• Newman staff and unwaged – £50 or £10 per day
• Newman Students – Free (£10 donation for workbook and materials)

Booking is essential

To register: estore.newman.ac.uk

For more information please contact

Email: ALLC300@newman.ac.uk  or  r.goode@staff.newman.ac.uk 

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AULRE Annual Conference 2020

In accordance with government guidance, this event has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience.

‘RE Matters…’

Hosted by Newman University, Birmingham, UK

Thursday 14^th to Friday 15^th May 2020

The title of the conference is ‘RE matters…’.  This can be interpreted as the goals and importance of RE, and / or the issues or matters RE is facing.  The conference will be hosted by the Faculty of Education and Theology at Newman University, Birmingham, UK.  The conference ethos is to create an open, inclusive, and critically engaging forum for scholarship in Religion and Education.

We warmly invite submissions for short papers (15-20 minutes) on issues that fall broadly within the conference title.  Abstracts of up to 300 words should be submitted to Dr Sean Whittle (sean.whittle@stmarys.ac.uk or Sean.whittle1@btinternet.com). Proposals for panel discussions (45 minutes) are also invited.  Deadline for submissions is 1 March.  Notifications of acceptance will be made by the end of March.

7 or 8 papers will be considered for inclusion in a special 2020 edition of the Journal of Religious Education.  Presenters wanting to take up this opportunity will need to have their final text submitted to the conference organiser by 1st May.

Six bursaries, sponsored by Culham St Gabriel, are available for doctoral students to attend and present at the conference.  Contact Lynda Maddock (Lynda.Maddock@wjec.co.uk) for application details BEFORE SUBMITTING A PAPER ABSTRACT.  Please encourage your doctoral students to get in touch.

There will also be an up-date on seven research projects, sponsored by Culham St Gabriel, which are exploring key issues in Religious Education.

We are thrilled to announce that our keynotes are:

Dr Liam Gearon                                 Dr Janet Orchard                              Dr Emma Salter

Registration details will appear soon on the Newman University website

Cost for AULRE member rate: £145 (full conference) or £85 (day rate)

Cost for Non-members rate:£160 (full conference) or £90 (day rate)

Details of affordable overnight accommodation are available on request from fed@newman.ac.uk.

Conference organiser: Dr Sean Whittle (Sean.whittle@stmarys.ac.uk)

Conference convenor: Professor Susan Docherty, Newman University

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How to find us:

For more information, please contact:

Richard Goode – r.goode@staff.newman.ac.uk 

                            0121 476 1181 ext. 2472