Please Note: Since Barbara McManus has retired and is no longer teaching this course, it will remain on the web solely for archival purposes. External links on the syllabus and assignment pages will not be updated.

Description:

A one-year course in the fundamentals of the Latin language which provides the basic skills for reading and translating Latin poetry and prose. 6 credits. Note: Credit will not be received for CLS 021 until 022 is completed.

Objectives:

1. knowledge of the essential forms, grammar, and syntax of the Latin language; familiarity with basic Latin vocabulary
2. understanding of how these fundamentals differ from the forms, grammar, and syntax of English, leading to an increased understanding of how both languages function
3. ability to read and translate basic Latin prose
4. acquaintance with the daily life and culture of the ancient Romans
5. recognition and understanding of the values and social attitudes of the ancient Romans, particularly as these are embedded in their language

Methods:

Class time will be devoted to explanation and discussion of the Latin language and culture; reading aloud and translating Latin passages; occasional poems and Latin graffiti; computer demonstrations of online resources on Latin language and culture.

Texts:

Frederic M. Wheelock. Wheelock's Latin. Ed. Richard A. LaFleur. 5th ed. Harper, 1995.

Workbook for Wheelock's Latin. Ed. Paul T. Comeau and Richard A. Lafleur. 3rd ed. Harper, 1997.

38 Latin Stories Designed to Accompany Frederic M. Wheelock's Latin. Ed. Anne H. Groton. 5th ed. Bolchazy-Carducci, 1995.

Anna Cumming and Maria Whitlock Blundell. Auricula Meretricula. 1981; rpt. Focus Classical Library, 1990.

Additional worksheets and study aids

Requirements:

Homework: Hand in all required written exercises and workbook assignments for each chapter; prepare all assigned Latin passages for oral presentation in the next class. [all course objectives]

Classwork: Read aloud and translate orally Latin passages from the textbook, Auricula Meretricula, and xeroxed selections; participate in all other class activities, including exercises and discussions. [all course objectives]

Quizzes: There will be weekly quizzes. These tests will emphasize the work of the previous week, although a certain cumulative effect is inevitable in dealing with a language. The tests will demonstrate knowledge of vocabulary as well as ability to identify and translate Latin forms and sentences. No make-up tests will be given, although I will drop one test grade (the lowest) each semester (except in the case of an unexcused absence on a test day). [objectives 1 and 3]

Semester Projects: Students will complete various projects utilizing the resources of the online VRoma Project and MOO. Among other projects relating to Roman culture, the class will create and program a robot in the VRoma MOO that speaks only Latin. [objectives 1, 4, 5]

Finals week: There will be no mid-term or final examinations, since learning a language must be accomplished by continual, steady work rather than by occasional cramming. To assess how we are meeting our primary goal of developing the ability to translate Latin, we will use the time assigned during finals week for a written translation of a Latin narrative passage that students have not previously seen; texts and notebooks may be used for reference. [objective 3]

Attendance: Because of the nature of language learning, steady attendance of class is very important. Therefore any student with more than four unexcused absences will lose 4 points on the class participation portion of the grade for every subsequent class missed. All students are responsible for assignments and classwork missed due to absence, whether excused or unexcused, and no quizzes may be cut.

Grading:

• 40%--class participation and homework
• 35%--quizzes
• 15%--projects
• 10%--final translation

Office Hours: