Latin 201, Latin Prose
Fall, 2024
Humanities Building 428
Office Hours: TR 3-4 (or by appt.)
Syllabus
Course Description: The goal of this course is to complete preparations for the student to read authentic classical Latin. The semester will begin with a brief, concentrated review, and continue to review the fundamentals of Latin as the course proceeds. The focus of our reading will be a novel written in the sixth century in that hazy period when there were still some people who spoke like Cicero, plenty who learned Latin as a second language, and more than a few with no Latin at all. Our author probably qualifies as someone who learned Latin much as we have, and so the simplicity of style should provide us with a pleasant transition from easy beginning Latin texts to the full cultural and linguistic complexity of classical Latin literature. We will read the text, drill vocabulary and endings, discuss new grammar, use the new grammar in occasional compositions, and also discuss literary and social points of interest in the story.
Course Objectives:
1. Ability to read and comprehend Latin in the original;
2. Ability to pronounce Latin with consistent classical (or ecclesiastical) pronunciation;
3. Knowledge of the vocabulary, phonetics, morphology and syntax of Latin and the etymological impact of Latin;
4. Ability to discuss the culture and civilization of Greco-Roman society, including history, daily life, art, architecture, and geography;
5. Ability to explain the relationship of Greco-Roman culture and civilization to subsequent cultures and civilizations;
6. Knowledge of major literary masterpieces and their relationship to the historical and social context of the society;
7. Competency in (i) current methodologies for teaching Latin at the elementary and secondary levels; (ii) lesson planning, scope and sequencing of material, instructional strategies and assessment under the guidance of an experienced Latin teacher; and
8. Understanding of and proficiency in grammar, usage, and mechanics and their integration in writing.
Course Requirements: Above all else a steady, daily effort will be required. Students will have to a) read each assigned section of the story carefully, b) be prepared to take a quiz on its vocabulary and basic meaning, c) bring in questions on new grammatical structures as well as other points of interest, d) write several compositions using the vocabulary and new grammar of the story, and e) take a midterm and cumulative final exam.
Grading:
Texts:
Konstan and Roberts, Historia Apollonii Regis Tyri, Bryn Mawr Commentaries.
[N.B. The instructor does not allow make up tests under any circumstances, nor does he accept late work.]
Attendance: Since class participation is a significant graded percentage of this course, each class a student misses will detract from this grade. Several absences will not do permanent damage, but more than 8 (out of 42 meetings -- i.e. almost 20%) will be serious.
Honor Policy: Like any academic work at UR all work done for this course falls under the honor code. If you have any doubt what constitutes "unauthorized assistance," please come and talk to the instructor before trying it.
Online Resources
If you experience difficulties in this course, do not hesitate to consult with me. There are also other resources that can support you in your efforts to meet course requirements.
Academic Skills Center (asc.richmond.edu): Academic coaches assist students in assessing and developing their academic and life skills (e.g., critical reading and thinking, information conceptualization, concentration, test preparation, time management, stress management, etc.). Peer tutors offer assistance in specific subject areas (e.g., calculus, chemistry, accounting, etc.) and will be available for appointments in-person and virtually. Peer tutors are listed on the ASC website. Email Roger Mancastroppa(rmancast@richmond.edu) and Hope Walton (hwalton@richmond.edu) for coaching appointments in academic and life skills.
Boatwright Library Research Librarians: (library.richmond.edu/help/ask/ or 289-8876): Research librarians help students with all steps of their research, from identifying or narrowing a topic, to locating, accessing, evaluating, and citing information resources. Librarians support students in their classes across the curriculum and provide individual appointments, class library instruction, tutorials, and research guides (libguides.richmond.edu). Students can contact an individual librarian(library.richmond.edu/help/liaison-librarians.html) or ASK a librarian for help via email (library@richmond.edu), text (804-277-9ASK), or chat (library.richmond.edu/chat.html).
Career Services: (careerservices.richmond.edu or 289-8547): Can assist you in exploring your interests and abilities, choosing a major or course of study, connecting with internships and jobs, and investigating graduate and professional school options. We encourage you to schedule an appointment with a career advisor early in your time at UR.
Counseling and Psychological Services: (caps.richmond.edu or 289-8119): Assists currently enrolled, full-time, degree-seeking students in improving their mental health and well-being and in handling challenges that may impede their growth and development. Services include brief consultations, short-term counseling, skills-building classes, therapy groups, crisis intervention, psychiatric consultation, and related services.
Disability Services: (disability.richmond.edu): The Office of Disability Services works to ensure that qualified students with a disability (whether incoming or current) are provided with reasonable accommodations that enable students to participate fully in activities, programs, services and benefits provided to all students. Please let your professors know as soon as possible if you have an accommodation that requires academic coordination and planning.
Speech Center: (speech.richmond.edu or 287-6409): Assists with preparation and practice in the pursuit of excellence in public expression. Recording, playback, coaching and critique sessions are offered by teams of trained student consultants. During scheduled appointments, consultants assist in developing ideas, arranging key points for more effective organization, improving style and delivery, and handling multimedia aids for individual and group presentations. We look forward to meeting your public speaking needs.
Writing Center (writing.richmond.edu or 289-8263): Assists writers at all levels of experience across all majors. Students can schedule appointments with trained writing consultants who offer friendly critiques of written work.
last modified 7-15-2024