Latin 365: Syllabus
Cicero, de Senectute and Old Latin Authors
Fall 2000
M, W 2:30-3:45 Professor Luschnig AD 310A luschnig@uidaho.edu
http://www.its.uidaho.edu/luschnig/
Course Goals: to improve reading skills in Latin prose; to read one of the great writers of the Republican Age of Rome; to learn to appreciate Ciceronian style; to learn from the mouth of Cato (that is, Cicero's Cato) about the history and culture of early Rome; and to learn some helpful details of grammar. Along with the Cato we will look at some selections from early Latin (to be found in the study guide). To achieve READING READINESS in Latin by the end of the semester.
About this course: This is the bridge course for students in second year Latin. You have a good background in the basic elements, but in the beginning course you learned everything in neat little chunks, now you want to know it all at once. This can be pretty daunting, but after a month or two, it will begin to come together. Keep trying, be patient. Working with a friend might keep the frustration level down. Use the study guide and learn the new words and constructions. No need to apologize for your translations: if they were perfect you would not need to take the course. In class we will go over the assignments, polish them up, make sure the grammar is clear and read ahead at sight. You will be tested on the material you have prepared. Later we will try some tests on unseen material (that is, "at sight")
Textbooks:
Questions, Problems, Complaints: See me before or after class or e-mail me at *luschnig@uidaho.edu
Requirements:
- Reading in Latin parts of the de Senectute and other Latin texts as assigned.
- New/Review Grammar work
- Recommended reading: Plutarch's Life of Cato
- Tests on readings (will include translation, grammar and syntax, questions about content). [3 or 4 tests]
- Quizzes or drills on vocabulary from the reading of the week before.
- Quizzes "at sight": these will help you measure your progress.
- Paper, due November 15 (grace period until November 29) on one chapter of the de Sen. This may be done as a collaborative project with one other member of the class. Include:
- --a polished translation of your chapter
- --comments on style
- --comments on how your chapter relates to the whole book (or what you have read so far)
- --comments on any matters of difficulty in language
- --notes on background (characters, events, customs, literary references); try to account for every reference.
- In writing your paper, address it to a beginning Latin student (one just getting ready for her/his first reading course in Latin).
Attendance: Attendance is required. If you have to miss a class, turn in the translation for that day at the next class. Attendance includes being prepared (that is spending some quality time trying to translate the day’s assignment before you come to class).
Tentative Schedule
We will review as we go along and work on new grammatical material. The Lab course, Latin 369 will go along with the reading course.
Schedule: More exact assignments will be given in class.
Week I 28, 30 August Mon. Introduction; reading at sight and review. For Wed. go over what we have done in class and read ahead about 10 lines in the de Senectute, using the study guide.
Review: Participles, infinitive, indirect statement.
Week II 6 September Try another 10 lines. Read pp. i-vii in the study guide.
Review: Comparatives and Superlatives; Subjunctive
Week III 11, 13 September Read ahead about 10 lines for Mondays; work on chapters in Wheelock for Wednesdays
Review: Subjunctive
Week IV 18, 20 September Read ahead about 10 lines for Mondays; work on chapters in Wheelock for Wednesdays review -- take home test; in class test Wed.
Review/New Grammar: Subjunctive, Sequence of Tenses
Week V 25, 27 September Read ahead about 10 lines for Mondays; work on chapters in Wheelock for Wednesdays
Review/New Grammar: Cum Clauses
Week VI 2, 4 October Read ahead about 15 lines for Mondays; work on chapters in Wheelock for Wednesdays
Review/New Grammar: Conditions, Deponents
Week VII 9, 11 October Read ahead about 15 lines for Mondays; work on chapters in Wheelock for Wednesdays
Review/New Grammar:
Week VIII 16, 18 October Read ahead about 10 lines for Mondays; work on chapters in Wheelock for Wednesdays take home test; in class test Wed.
Review/New Grammar
Week IX 23, 25 October Read ahead about 15 lines for Mondays; work on chapters in Wheelock for Wednesdays
Review/New Grammar: Gerunds, Gerundives
"The Multiple Images of Helen in Ancient Greece: Goddess and Mortal, Icon of Beauty, Sex, and Womanhood." To be taught by visiting scholar, Bella Vivante * 23-27 October 2000* Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 4:00-6:30 AD 316 1 credit.
Thursday:7:30 University Auditorium (Administration Building) "Women's Love Poetry of the Ancient Mediterranean: An illustrated lecture on Sappho, the Song of Songs, and other women's love poetry."
Week X 28-30 October Read ahead about 20 lines for Mondays; work on chapters in Wheelock for Wednesdays
Grammar: Gerunds, Gerundives
Week XI 4-6 November Read ahead about 20 lines for Mondays and Wednesdays
Week XII 11-13 November (Test) Read ahead about 20 lines for Mondays and Wednesdays
Week XIII 18-20 November Read ahead about 20 lines for Mondays and Wednesdays
selections from Early Latin and review
Week XIV 2-4 December Read ahead about 20 lines for Mondays and Wednesdays
Week XV 9-11 December Read ahead about 20 lines for Monday; review for Wednesday
Week XVI Tuesday 19 December 3:30-5:30 FINAL