Elementary Latin
The aim of these courses is to learn basic reading and writing skills in Latin as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. At the end of two terms of Elementary Latin, a student should know the fundamentals of Latin grammar, have a basic Latin vocabulary, and be able to read a Latin text with the help of a dictionary. Speaking and listening skills in Latin will be encouraged in order to assist the development of reading and writing Latin.
These courses are primarily directed towards students desiring to meet the requirements for graduation under the foreign language component of the Language requirement. Elementary Latin can also fulfill partial requirements for a major in Latin or Classics. A background in Latin is a great benefit to the study of English, the sciences, medicine, law, and many other professional fields.
The Monmouth College catalogue gives the following description of courses that meet the Language requirement:
The
creation and use of language is the most significant achievement
of
human beings, for our ability to organize our understanding in verbal
symbols
and to communicate sets us apart from all other life forms
The
symbols of our language make communication possible at many
different
levels of meaning and allow us to translate our private experience
into
universal terms....
This
component provides that every student have experience with a second
language.
The study of a foreign language allows students to see that their
native
language often reflects cultural needs and interests at the same time that
it
shares many basic patterns with other languages.
Texts for Latin 101/ 102:
WHEELOCK’S
LATIN (6th Edition), Frederic M. Wheelock
Richard
A. LaFleur, Revision Editor
HARPERCOLLINS
COLLEGE OUTLINE, HarperPerennial (NY, 2000)
A
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO WHEELOCK’S LATIN
Dale
A. Grote
Bolchazy-Carducci
Publishers, Inc. (Wauconda, IL, 2000)
38
LATIN STORIES Designed to Accompany Frederic M. Wheelock’s Latin
Anne
H. Groton and James M. May
Bolchazy-Carducci
Publishers, Inc. (Wauconda, IL, 1986)
TRAUPMAN
NEW COLLEGE LATIN & ENGLISH DICTIONARY, Revised
John
Traupman (Bantam, 1995)
Recommended :
ENGLISH
GRAMMAR FOR STUDENTS OF LATIN:
The
Study Guide For Those Learning Latin (2nd Edition),
Norma
Goldman and Ladislas Szymanski
The
Olivia and Hill Press (Ann Arbor, 1993)
Instructor:
Virginia
Hellenga
115A
Wallace Hall
Office
Phone: (309) 457-2332
House
in the woods: (309) 734-8758
Galesburg
home: (309) 343-895
e-mail
virginia@monm.edu
Office Hours:
Tues. & Wed. 9:00 am - 9:45 am and by appointment
You may email me questions or call me at home. Although learning Latin is a lot of fun, you may get stuck on something. In talking together, we can usually throw light on a problem.
Tutoring:
Latin tutors are available several hours a week to help students individually with grammatical concepts and class assignments.
Class Goals and Format:
For most students, Elementary Latin is a two-semester experience.
You will not really have a full sense of the Latin language until the end of second semester. Class meets on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 8:50 a.m. in Wallace Hall 114. There will be daily assignments from the textbooks. In addition, there will be a number of supplementary readings in Latin as well as music and videos.
Summary of Grading:
Class
Participation 10%
Quizzes
20%
Homework
20%
Acting
Out Stories
5%
Tests
(including final)
45%
Requirements:
I. Class Participation (10%) and attendance policy
Learning another language is a lot easier in a group, but only if everyone in the group is working together. This kind of course requires daily attention. You cannot study only before tests and quizzes. You must attend class faithfully and be prepared every day. Attendance at all meetings of the class is required. Absences must be cleared with the instructor in advance. All other absences must be explained by a written excuse from the Office of the Dean of Students or by a written medical excuse from the Student Health Office of the Dean of Students or by a written medical excuse from the Student Health Service or another physician. A student with more than two unexcused absences may receive a written warning from the instructor. A student with more than THREE unexcused absences may drop one grade point on the final semester grade for each absence over three. For example, with four unexcused absences, an 83 would become an 82; with five unexcused absences, and 83 would become an 82; etc.
Active participation by all students in the class is very important. You are expected to ask questions, volunteer answers, and recite when called upon. Your class participation will count 10% of your final grade.
II. Quizzes (20%)
There will be frequent quizzes lasting about ten minutes. These quizzes give you the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of new material, and let you know what you still need to work on. A certain number of low quiz grades will be dropped. Your quiz average will be 20% of your final grade.
III. Homework (20%)
Written homework will be assigned daily. A grace period of one (1) class day beyond due date is permitted on these assignments. Homework will be corrected but not counted after the grace period. Your homework grade will count 20% of your final grade.
IV. Acting Out Stories (5%)
You will have the opportunity to act out the mythological stories you translate, using your creativity and imagination in entertaining and relaxed class presentations. Your fun participation in acting out stories will count as 5% of your final grade. This is the easiest part of the course!
V. Tests (45%)
There will be at least four major tests. These tests will demonstrate the student’s understanding of the grammar and assignments, and ability to translate Latin. Missing a test is considered a serious lapse. Students who do not present an acceptable explanation IN ADVANCE of a test or a valid medical excuse will be permitted to take a make-up, but will suffer a penalty of one letter grade. The final test will count as two tests. The average of all your test scores will be 45% of your final grade.
The first semester final exam period is Monday, December 10, 2001 at 8:00 am.
Attendance at this session is obligatory.
_______________________________
Honesty and Plagiarism:
Students are encouraged to study Latin together. All other class work, especially quizzes and tests, must be the student’s own work. Plagiarism, i.e., copying someone else’s work without giving credit, is to be avoided. Such copying—from a book, another classmate’s paper, or any other source—is dishonest. Any student submitting plagiarized work will receive a failing grade for that assignment. If two papers with identical or nearly identical work are submitted by different students, both papers will receive a failing grade.
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Caveat:
This syllabus is subject to revision by the instructor, provided that written or verbal notice is given in class.