CLS 121-122 ELEMENTARY LATIN
Course Syllabus, 1999-2000
Barbara F. McManus	The College of New Rochelle
What are they saying?  This course will help you find out.

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 121 until 122 is completed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

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, understand, and translate adapted passages in Latin
4. ability to read, understand, and translate unadapted passages in Latin with appropriate assistance
5. acquaintance with the daily life and culture of the ancient Romans
6. 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, including occasional poems and Latin graffiti; computer demonstrations of on-line resources on Latin language and culture; occasional Latin games and other interactive activities. Our goal will be to complete Parts I and II of the textbook for the year.

MATERIALS:

• Balme, Maurice and James Morwood. Oxford Latin Course. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, 1996.
• Blundell, Mary Whitlock and Ann Cumming. Auricula Meretricula. Rev. ed. Focus Classical Library, 1993.
• Compendium: Latin grammar tutorial software. Developed by SOS Nijmegen, Netherlands.
• Diagraming Latin Sentences. Developed by Barbara McManus.
• Internet Workbook for the Oxford Latin Course. Developed by Robert W. Cape, Jr., Austin College.
• Self-Help Quizzes to accompany the Oxford Latin Course, Part I. Developed by Barbara McManus using javascripts by Jean Alvares.
• On-line Drills to Accompany the Oxford Latin Course. Developed by Margaret Phillips, University of Missouri at St. Louis.
• Flashcards and Games for Oxford Latin chapter 1 and chapter 5 (from the Quia! web site).
• Web syllabus with additional worksheets and study aids.

REQUIREMENTS:

Homework: Hand in all required written exercises for each chapter; prepare all assigned Latin passages for oral presentation in the next class; print out and hand in the scores and analyses for all required Compendium drills. [objectives 1, 2, 3, 4]

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]

Attendance: The class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-10:40; these class periods have been lengthened in order to allow for the extra practice and help required when beginning a language. Students should arrive promptly and attend class regularly. 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 3 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.

Quizzes: There will be a quiz for every two chapters that we cover. These tests will focus on material and vocabulary of the two chapters, although a certain cumulative effect is inevitable in dealing with a language. No make-up quizzes will be given, although I will drop one quiz grade (the lowest) each semester (except in the case of an unexcused absence on a test day). [objectives 1, 3, 4]

Second Semester Projects: Students will complete various projects utilizing the resources of the on-line VRoma Project and MOO, extending and enriching the work of my spring '98 class who built the cubiculum sermonis and pioneered interactive Latin projects in the MOO. If possible, we will schedule some joint activities with one or more Latin classes from other locations who are using the same textbook. [all course objectives]

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 one or more Latin narrative passages that students have not previously seen; texts and notebooks may be used for reference. [objectives 3, 4]

GRADING:

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

OFFICE HOURS: