Course goals

Latin 101 serves as a transition between learning the basic elements of the Latin language and seminar-level discussions of literature and culture using original texts as our primary sources. As a result, in this course we will do a bit of both: reviewing grammar and morphology, and expanding vocabulary—all while learning to read and appreciate Latin literature and the culture that produced it.

We will be focusing this semester on the literature of late Republican Rome, by reading works of two authors: the orator Marcus Tullius Cicero and the poet Gaius Valerius Catullus.  We’ll read a selection of Catullus’ poems and Cicero’s speech in defense of Marcus Caelius, the Pro Caelio.  These particular texts are interesting not only as outstanding examples of Latin literature, but also for the window they provide into the cultural and political life of late Republican Rome.

Equally important will be getting a sense of what makes Latin literature, particularly rhetoric and lyric poetry, special.  To that end, we will spend time on the characteristic elements of poetry, including meter and prosody, and the sophisticated rhetorical techniques that Cicero employed to sway juries.

Finally, we’ll begin to look at some of the scholarship that has been produced on these authors.  To that end, each of you will give a brief presentation at some point during the semester, as well as complete a longer project on a poem of Catullus, engaging not only the scholarly discussion on that author, but your own critical abilities as well.

To accomplish these goals, in this course you will:

· review and (re-)master Latin syntax, morphology and important vocabulary,

· become comfortable reading Latin poetry and prose, including at sight,

· get acquainted with the literary and cultural context of Late Republican Rome,

· gain a sense of Catullus’ and Cicero’s contributions to literary history, and

· develop your own critical approach through a longer written project.

Course expectations

Learning Latin is a demanding endeavor, and this class will require a lot from you.  Success in this course, as in all language study, is achieved through systematic, regular and concentrated study.  Don’t get behind on the reading or things will rapidly go downhill.  If for any reason you have not done the preparation, please let me know at the beginning of class.

The majority of your out-of-class time should be spent preparing the reading for the given week, using your text, dictionary and grammar.  I encourage you to work in pairs or small groups to share insights, work through difficulties and make friends.  And please don’t hesitate to see me if you are having problems or just want to discuss these terrific authors.

You are expected to have prepared the reading for any given week, whether or not we get the chance to translate or discuss all of it.  By “prepare”, I mean that you should have read it over at least once, tried to understand the Latin as best you can, and have prepared questions on the parts that confuse you.  While I encourage you to take notes, prepare vocabulary lists, or use other systems to help yourself understand the material, in class you must work from a clean copy of the Latin text rather than from a written translation.  You may find it useful to photocopy the Latin text to annotate with interesting philological or literary features, but you shouldn’t be reading from it in class. 

In addition, I have two other recommendations:

• First, a secret to really understanding Latin is to “post-pare” an assignment that we’ve just gone over.  Before you begin an assignment, read over the previous day’s Latin.  It shouldn’t take more than fifteen minutes or so, will refresh you on the context of the reading (especially helpful with Cicero) and is the best way to make it stick in your mind.

• Second, you should also read the assignment out loud to yourself.  This will give you a better sense of the Latin and its poetic effects.  It’ll also annoy your roommate; and isn’t that reason enough?

You can expect me to help you with all your Latin needs, during my office hours.  I teach other classes, so if you need to see me and cannot make scheduled office hours, please make an appointment; otherwise, I can’t guarantee that I will be available. I will answer all email inquiries within 24 hours, and usually much more quickly than that.

Reports on readings and topics:

You will be asked to make reports on articles or chapters relating to the themes of the course, or on the specific texts that we are reading.  In addition, there will be opportunities for reports on related material that we aren’t reading in class, or reading in translation.  These will be graded on delivery as well as content.

A note on class participation:

It almost goes without saying that you have to be present in the classroom in order to be able to participate in class.  Regular attendance is therefore imperative if you want to attain a high grade.  If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are abreast of what you have missed, including announcements made in class.

In addition to being present in class in body, you should also be present in mind, and it is thoughtful and enthusiastic participation that will win the highest dividends.  In computing the participation portion that makes up 20% of your grade, I will take regular stock of the following aspects:

• your preparation for class (have you looked up unfamiliar words, parsed verbs, read explanatory notes?)

• your attendance in class

• your active participation in class (i.e. are you alert and involved, or unfocused and passive?)

• your contribution to class discussion (both open discussion and discussion of readings)

• your performance in class projects

• your contribution to creating a positive class environment.

It hardly needs to be stated that when our class is in session, you must be respectful to me and to your classmates.  This means: please do not eat in class (drinking is fine).  Please also go to the bathroom, get a drink of water, kleenex, et cetera, BEFORE class.  Getting up to leave in the middle of class shows a lack of respect to your fellow students and members of the community.

Finally, if you are struggling with any aspect of the course, please talk to me about the problem, the sooner the better.  There are many learning techniques that can serve a range of learning styles.  Feel free to come by my office or to email me at afenton@haverford.edu.

Grading policy

Your grade will be based partly on numerical percentages and partly as noted by the instructor.  Grades are based on the following:

• quizzes on readings, morphology, syntax and vocabulary (bi-weekly): 25%

• midterm: 15%

• final exam: 20%

• final project: 20%

• daily class preparation (including reports and short quizzes): 20%

Accommodation of disabilities

If you have specific physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know during the first week of classes so that your learning needs may be met appropriately.  You should also contact Rick Webb, Coordinator, Office of Disabilities Services (rwebb@haverford.edu, 610-896-1290) to coordinate reasonable accommodations for your disability. Documentation will be necessary, and recommendations for procedure essential to helping you in the best way possible, as well.

Required texts

• Daniel H. Garrison, The Student's Catullus. Third Edition.   Norman, OK:  University of Oklahoma Press, 2004.  ISBN 0-8061-3635-9.

• Walter Englert, Cicero: Pro Caelio.  Bryn Mawr Classical Commentaries, 1991.  ISBN 0929524659

• a good Latin dictionary.  I’ve ordered the Pocket Oxford Latin Dictionary, but if you have another you’d prefer to use, that will be fine.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

Last day to drop a course: Friday, September 21

Fall break: Saturday, October 13 – Sunday, October 21

Registration for Fall ’07 begins: Thursday, November 15

Our last class: Friday, December 14