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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "LAT 282"
COURSE NAME: "Directed Readings in Latin"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Erik Walters
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: LAT 102 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course presumes ALL basic grammar begun in LAT 101 and LAT 102, including a fundamental knowledge of the Subjunctive Mood, and introduces the student to utilizing all skills learned via direct readings of selected Latin authors in lingua latina. This is NOT a language in translation course! Rather, this course studies that language spoken and written first by the pre-Roman Latin peoples of central Italy, then of the Romans (Early, Classical, and Late Antique Latin c. 4th century BCE through the fourth century CE), and finally philosophers, scientists, theologians, humanists, lawyers, and literary figures from 476 CE - c.1700 (Medieval, Renaissance, and "later" Latin). Latin along with Greek, Sanskrit, and Phoenician (this last of which is the first true alphabet and language in the contemporary sense, as opposed to Chinese and Egyptian "glyphs" or "icons") has been one of the most enduring of languages ever studied, spoken and written (2,500 years). The Romance languages (French, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, and Spanish) all derive from Latin, while English vocabulary and German grammar arguably have much more in common with Latin than with each other. They are all an evolved form of the original language. A knowledge of classical Latin gives access to the documentation and literature of the other periods as well as the only key to understanding modern languages of Western Civilization. Latin's influence in the development of philosophy, language, law, the natural sciences, religion, and political theory is unavoidable. Scientia potestas est.
The course is aimed at:. Completing the basics begun in LAT 101 and 102 for a reading knowledge of classical Latin; considering the historical, social and intellectual contexts of the Roman world in which Latin was the medium of expression; examining linguistic features of Latin grammar and vocabulary which may apply to other language structure and development; preparing the student with the basics and confidence to continue studying Latin either formally or informally.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is an intensive continuation in learning the Latin language as such. This is NOT an historical survey course or a language in translation course!!! While a brief review of both English and Latin grammar is foreseen, students must have a comprehension of said grammar appropriate to an undergraduate university level, particularly with regard to Latin including:1) Good knowledge of all 5 declensions of nouns; 2) Good knowledge of both family groups of adjectives (those of 1st and 2nd declensions and those of 3rd declension)3) Good knowledge of all 4 verb conjugations and at least 3 irregular verbs (esse; posse; ire) in all 6 tenses in imperative, indicative, and subjunctive moods, active and passive voices. Latin like other languages is made of words (lexicon) and structure (syntax) or how the words are put together and arranged. In other words Latin is an inflected language (word endings) unlike English that is based on word order. Therefore, the study of Latin will be useful both as an introduction to another form of language structure as well as a preparation for modern languages that use similar structures (e.g. German, Greek, Russian). Readings will allow you to practice Latin narrative structure, i.e. how the words fall into phrases and sentences, and how paragraphs are built. Students will translate from Latin into English. LAT 282 will allow you to move to a 300+ level course at John Cabot University or another institution.
The course is divided into two sections: 1) Readings from a variety of Latin authors as a means and end to a proper "review" of previous Latin Studies (i.e. see "Course Aims" above). Experience indicates that this constitutes course work through the mid-term exam; 2) Course work from the mid-term exam through the final exam focuses on an analysis of the Aeneid, including particular attention to the use of the subjunctive mood and the historical, political, and social context in which Caesar Augustus' lead propagandist, Virgil, composed what remains arguably Roman Antiquity's flagship opus of Latin literature.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course, students should be able to read complex narratives in Latin preparing them for future and more focused analyses of any given Latin author and to be knowledgeable in the outlines of the history, social context, and developments of the Roman world. Students will have translated the entire first half of Virgil's Aeneid (Books One through Six). Most importantly, students will be thoroughly confident throughout their entire lives when confronted by Latin with the indispensable aid of a Latin lexicon (i.e. dictionary). A good Latin dictionary (there are few) is necessary for this course (consult the required reading and textbook section).
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Cassell’s Latin Dictionary | D.P. Simpson | Wiley Publishing, Inc. | 978-0025225800 | | | | | |
| An Elementary Latin Dictionary | C.T. LEWIS | Oxford University Press | 0199102058 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| 6 quizzes | Three quizzes before mid-term and three after mid-term. The lowest quiz grade before and after the mid-term will be dropped. | 30% |
| Mid-term exam | The mid-term exam consists of an in class translation of a text from Latin into English. Time allotted is one hour and fifteen minutes. Use of the lexicon is permitted. | 30% |
| Final exam | The final exam consists of a translation from a passage of Vergil's "Aeneid" from the original Latin into English. The exam is to be reviewed during the time-slot designated and to be determined by the Registrar's office. | 30% |
| In class reviews of readings and translations | Students are to regularly prepare assigned readings and translations from Latin texts into English. Comprehension and progress will be evaluated in class. | 10% |
-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 course. (95-100% A; 90-94% A-)
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. (87-89% B+; 83-86% B; 80-82% B-)
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. (77-79% C+; 73-76% C; 70-72% C-)
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. (60-69% D)
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. (59% F)
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Class attendance is essential to a meaningful comprehension of material. No points will be added or deducted from the course grade for absences, but it remains in the students' interests to be present in order to learn the language and avoid falling behind.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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LESSONS ONE THROUGH FOURTEEN (all readings are from Civis Romanus and Books One-Six of Virgil's Aeneid and are provided in class):
- Lesson One:
- Introduction
- Syllabus and Course Prospectus
- Use of the Lexicon
- Lesson Two:
- Quiz
- Sight translation of readings: Aeneas and Iulus; Camilla; Romulus and Remus; The Founding of Rome; The Horatii
- Lesson Three:
- in class review of assigned readings: Mucius Scaevola; Coriolanus; Manlius and the Gauls; Regulus; The Consuls
- Lesson Four:
- in class review of assigned readings: The Patricians and Plebeians; The Dictator: Cincinnatus; The Dictator: Fabius Maximus; The Senate; The Censors: Appius Claudius, Cato; The Tribunes: the Gracchi, Cato Minor
- Lesson Five:
- sight translation of readings: Provincial Government: Verres; Provincial Government: Cicero; A Letter from Cicero in Asia
- i n class review of assigned readings: Stories of Cato the Younger; Cicero junior, Student; Augustus and His Grandson; An African Story: the Boy and the Dolphin; "Little Boots": the Childhood of the Emperor Gaius; Marcus Aurelius to His Tutor
- Lesson Six:
- Quiz
- sight translation of readings: The Story of Papirius; Roman Education: Horace; A New School at Comum
- in class review of assigned readings: The Civil War: Cato minor; The Death of Caesar; Octavian: the Heir of Caesar; Octavian and Antony; the Rule of Augustus
- Lesson Seven:
- in class review of assigned readings: Ultima Thule; Verulamium I: A.D. 80; The Great Fire
- Lesson Eight:
- in class review of assigned readings: The Early Emperors; The Conquest of Britain; Agricola in Britain
- Lesson Nine:
- in class review of assigned readings: Verulamium II: A.D. 180; Constantine; Verulamium III: A.D. 368
- Lesson Ten:
- Quiz
- in class review of assigned readings: Horace and the Bore; The Streets of Rome; Town and Country: Pliny's Villa
- Lesson Eleven:
- in class review of assigned readings: Slaves and Freedmen; One View of Roman Games; Catastrophae at Fidenae
- Grammar One: Conjugating the Subjunctive Mood in All Tenses Active and Passive Voice
- Lesson Twelve:
- in class review of assigned readings: The Eruption of Vesuvius I; The Eruption of Vesuvius II; Pliny and the Christians
- Grammar Two: Uses of the Subjunctive Part One
- Lesson Thirteen:
- in class review of assigned readings: Martial
- Grammar Three: Uses of the Subjunctive Part Two
- Lesson Fourteen:
- MID-TERM EXAM IN AULA (use of lexicon permitted; exam covers all Latin grammar excluding the subjunctive mood)
- Lesson Fifteen: (N.B. - the amount of text successfully to be reviewed depends primarily on student course progress)
- Introduction to Virgil's Aeneid: Augustan propaganda; Phoenician/Carthaginian vs. Greek roots; Raffaello's Parnassus
- Lesson Sixteen:
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK I
- Lesson Seventeen:
- Quiz
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK I
- Lesson Eighteen:
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK II
- Lesson Nineteen:
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK II
- Lesson Twenty:
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK III
- Lesson Twenty-One:
- Quiz
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK III
- Lesson Twenty-Two:
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK IV
- Lesson Twenty-Three:
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK IV
- Lesson Twenty-Four:
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK V
- Lesson Twenty-Five:
- Quiz
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK V
- Lesson Twenty-Six:
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK VI
- Lesson Twenty-Seven:
- in class review of assigned readings: BOOK VI
- Lesson Twenty-Eight:
- in class review for final exam
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