LATIN 101/102
MaTUaWaTH 8:00 - 8:50
Department of Classics
Monmouth College
Capron Classics Room
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 any
Latin text with the help of a dictionary. Speaking and listening skills in Latin will be encouraged
only in order to assist the development of reading and writing Latin. READING Latin is much
more important than speaking or writing it.
These courses are primarily directed towards students desiring to meet the freshman
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.
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....A sure understanding of language is the foundation of all knowledge, and the ability to
use verbal symbols effectively is the most important of all skills.
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:
WHEELOCK'S LATIN (5th Edition), Frederic M. Wheelock
Richard A. LaFleur, Revision Editor
Harpercollins college outline, HarperPerennial (NY, 1995)
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)
Instructor:
Virginia K. Hellenga
113 Wallace Hall
Office Phone: (309) 457-2371
Home Phone: (309) 343-8957
Office Hours:
Mon., Tues., Wed. 9:00 am - 11:00 am or by appointment
You may also call me at home. Although learning Latin is a lot of fun, you may get stuck on
something. In talking together, we can get you unstuck in a couple of minutes. This beats
stewing, throwing your book against the wall, or giving up! (Heaven forbid!)
Tutoring:
Latin tutors Andrea Bostwick and Anna Dybis are available several
hours a week to help students individually.
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 Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 8:50 a.m. in the Capron Classics Room,
Wallace Hall 115. There will be daily assignments from the textbook. In addition, there will be a
number of supplementary readings in Latin as well as songs and map work.
Summary of Grading:
Class Participation 10%
Quizzes 30%
Homework 20%
Exams (including final) 40%
Requirements:
I. 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. Class participation will count 10% of
the final grade.
II. Quizzes (30%)
There will be frequent quizzes lasting about fifteen minutes. Each semester there will be at least one map (geography) quiz which the student is required to PASS in order to pass the course. No make-ups for quizzes (except for the map quiz) will be given, but a certain number of
low quiz grades will be dropped. Quiz average will be 30% of the 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. This homework grade will count 20% of the final grade.
NOTE: You may submit written assignments via electronic mail (E-mail). I'll explain how to do
this.
IV. Exams (40%)
There will be at least THREE (3) unit exams. The dates for the first two exams will be
announced in class at least one week in advance. The third exam will be given on the last day of
class, Friday, December 12, 1997. These exams will demonstrate the student's understanding of
the grammar and assignments. Missing an exam is considered a serious lapse. Students who do
not present an acceptable explanation IN ADVANCE of an examination or a valid medical
excuse will be permitted to take a make-up, but will suffer a penalty of one letter grade. The
average of these exams will be 40% of the final grade.
Please note that while there is no final exam for this course, class WILL MEET during the period
scheduled for a final exam, 6:00 p.m Monday, December 15. Various activities, including
dramatic presentations of Latin scenes and student evaluation of the course, will take place at this
time. Attendance at this session is obligatory.
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Honesty and Plagiarism:
Students are encouraged to do their homework together. All other class work, especially quizzes and exams, 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.