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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "LAT 101"
COURSE NAME: "Elementary Latin I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2013
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Lott Elizabeth
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 9:00-11:00
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Latin is a dead language: why bother?  This course aims to introduce students both to basic Latin grammar and to Roman history and culture.  By studying Latin, this course aims to strengthen practical skills.  Sixty percent of English comes from Latin: learning Latin helps improve English vocabulary and grammar.  Individuals who study Latin syntax and structure are typically able to write more coherently and cohesively in English.  Latin also sharpens problem-solving skills: special word endings hold the key to decoding the meaning of a sentence.  No matter how you mix up the words in a Latin sentence, the meaning remains the same (unlike English).  Lastly, this course aims to show how the Latin language and Roman culture remain valuable and integral parts of our own heritage and culture.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
In this course we will learn basic Latin grammar and translate simple passages about classical history and mythology.  In addition, we will review Roman history, examine Roman mythology, and read in English some famous stories about the city of Rome.  We will learn basic epigraphy (the special study of Latin inscriptions chiseled on buildings and tombs).  Lastly, we will briefly consider some famous Latin authors and discuss how their works survived into the modern world (palaeography and textual transmission).
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1.     Understand the Latin language at an elementary level.

2.     Learn basic grammar and vocabulary, especially as related to English derivatives.

3.     Gain knowledge of Roman culture, including history, religion and mythology.

4.     Become familiar with classical Latin authors and Latin literature, including Rome’s written legacy (epigraphy, palaeography and textual transmission).
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Wheelock's Latin, 6th edition or 7th editionFrederick M. Wheelock, rev. by Richard A. LaFleurHarper: 20050060783710     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class participation 20%
Homework assignments (handouts) 20%
Translations 15%
Average of quizzes 15%
Midterm examination 15%
Final examination 15%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cours
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Regular attendance and participation are mandatory.  Both are necessary for successful completion of this course.  An excused absence requires a doctor’s note or official confirmation from the university that you were unable to attend class.  Remember to bring your textbook to every class meeting.

 

Occasionally you may not be as ready for class participation as you would like to be.  For this reason, you will be allowed two (2) audit-only days.  On an audit-only day, you will not be expected to participate in class, only to listen.  NOTE: you will not be allowed to use an audit day to avoid doing an assignment.

 

Please keep your mobile/cell phone turned off during class.  Laptops or other computers may only be used during class at the discretion of the instructor, if and when course content requires access to the web.

 

Please refer to the university catalogue for the attendance and absence policy.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

MODUS OPERANDI:

            Learning Latin exercises both memory and analytic proficiency.  You will be asked to read and memorize vocabulary and grammatical constructions in the Wheelock text, to write out exercises and translations, to read stories about Roman history (in English), and to view inscriptions carved onto buildings in the city of Rome.

            Some exercises and translations will be done together during class.  Whether inside or outside of class, you are encouraged to work on assignments in pairs or groups.  Working together will help you learn more quickly and remember more completely, with less time wasted on mistakes.  NOTE:  “working together” does NOT mean dividing the assignments between members of a group or copying another student’s work; “working together” means that all members of a group meet and work collaboratively on the entire assignment at the same time.

            There will be several quizzes over the course of the semester.  Each quiz will last about ten minutes.  The quizzes will cover both vocabulary and grammar.  We will grade them together in class.  There will also be a midterm examination and a final examination.  Quizzes and examinations will usually be open-book, open-notebook.  They will also often have extra-credit sections, to help you maintain a good grade.

CURRICULUM LECTIONUM:

All topics and assignments are tentative.  The instructor many change them, and any part of the syllabus, at her discretion.

WEEK I

Monday, May 20

Course business

Introduction to the Latin language I:

            Cognates vs. derivatives

            Inflection and inflected endings:

                        Overview of verbs (conjugations) and nouns (declensions)

                        Overview of cases and their uses

Team competition:  English nouns derived from Latin words ending in –atio and –itudo

 

Tuesday, May 21

Assignment due:  Read the Introduction to Wheelock (pp. xxvii-xliv)

Introduction to the Latin language II:

            Alphabet, pronunciation, accent

Lecture on Roman history:  Vergil and Aeneas

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 1:  Verbs – 1st and 2nd conjugations, present tense

 

Wednesday, May 22

Assignment due:  Homework handout #1

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 2:  Review nouns and cases; first declension nouns

Lecture on Roman history:  Romulus and Remus through the end of the Republic

 

Thursday, May 23

Assignment due:  Homework handout #2

10-minute, open-book Quiz #1:  Wheelock Introduction and chapters 1-2

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 3:  Second declension masculine nouns

Lecture on famous Latin authors:  Cicero

 

WEEK II

Monday, May 27

Assignment due:  Homework handout #3; read handout on “Tips on Translation”

In-class: Translation (#1) of “Pandora’s Box”

Lecture on Ciceronian orations: in-class composition of classical oration (in English)

 

Tuesday, May 28

Assignment due:  Complete classical oration (in English)

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 4:  Second declension neuter nouns

            Agreement of nouns and adjectives

Lecture on famous Latin authors: Caesar

 

Wednesday, May 29

Assignment due:  Translation (#2) of “The Tragic Story of Phaeton”

10-minute, open-book Quiz #2: Wheelock chapters 3-4

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 5:  Verbs – 1st and 2nd conjugation, future and imperfect

Lecture on Roman history:  Augustus through the end of the Empire (A.D. 476)

 

Thursday, May 30

Assignment due:  Read handouts on togas and their history

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 6:  The verbs sum and possum

Ludi et Circenses:  Toga party (with historically accurate togas)

 

WEEK III

Monday, June 3

Assignment due:  Translation (#3) of “The Curse of Atreus”

10-minute, open-book Quiz #3:  Vocabulary: Wheelock chapters 1-6, nouns only

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 7:  Third declension nouns

Lecture on famous Latin authors:  Livy, Tacitus, and Pliny

 

Tuesday, June 4

Assignment due:  Homework handouts #4 and #5

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 8:  Verbs of the third conjugation

Lecture on Roman religion and mythology

Wednesday, June 5

Assignment due:  Translation (#4) of “Cleobis and Biton”

10-minute, open-book Quiz #4:  Verbs, Wheelock chapters 1-8

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 9:  Demonstrative pronouns

Lecture on Epigraphy I:  Roman numerals and Roman calendar

Thursday, June 6

Assignment due:  Review for midterm examination.  (You may want to do some background reading on the story of Laocoön.)

Midterm exam:  Translation of “Laocoön and the Trojan Horse”  (open book)

Lecture on Epigraphy II

 

WEEK IV

Monday, June 10

Assignment due:  Homework handout #6

Review of midterm examinations

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 10:  Verbs of the 3rd  (-io) and 4th conjugations

Lecture on Epigraphy III

 

Tuesday, June 11

Assignment due:  Translation (#6) of “Aurora and Tithonus”

10-minute, open-book Quiz #5:  Vocabulary, nouns only, Wheelock chapters 7-10

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 11:  Personal pronouns; more demonstrative pronouns

Lecture on Roman history:  End of the western Empire through A.D. 1453

Wednesday, June 12

Assignment due:  Homework handout #7

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 12:  Verbs – Perfect tense

Lecture on moral dilemma:  Boethius vs. Cassiodorus


Thursday, June 13

Assignment due:  Homework handout #8

10-minute, open-book Quiz #6:  Verbs: perfect, pluperfect, future perfect tenses

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 13:  More pronouns

Lecture on famous Latin authors:  Horace and translation theory

WEEK V

Monday, June 17

Assignment due:  Translation (#7) of “Ulysses and the Cyclops”

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 14:  Nouns of the 3rd declension (-i stem); use of the ablative

Review all prepositions learned

In-class team competition:  Prepositional phrases on the Pledge of Allegiance

Lecture:  Introduction to Latin poetry and versification (metrical structures)

 

Tuesday, June 18

Assignment due:  Homework handout #9

10-minute, open-book Quiz #7:  Vocabulary, Wheelock chapters 11-14

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 15:  Numerals; use of the genitive case; more ablatives

In-class team competition:  Translation (#8) of “How the Aegean Got Its Name”

Lecture:  Introduction to Palaeography

 

Wednesday, June 19

Assignment due:  Homework handout #10; also complete Translation #8

Introduction to Wheelock, chapter 16:  Third declension adjectives

Lecture on Textual Transmission:  Survival of Latin in the Middle Ages and beyond

 

Thursday, June 20

Assignment due:  Translation (#9) of “Echo and the Handsome Narcissus”

10-minute, open-book Quiz #8:  Pronouns and use of the ablative

Review for the final examination

 

Friday, June 21

Final examination:  Translation of “The Story of Cincinnatus”  (open book)