Latin 24
Intermediate Latin II
Spring 1997

INSTRUCTOR: Robert W. Cape, Jr., Assistant Professor of Classics
OFFICE: AD 310 PHONE: x2241 MAIL: 61539 EMAIL: rcape@austincollege.edu
OFFICE HOURS: 2:00-3:00 MWF, & by appointment or just dropping by.

REQUIRED TEXTS:
  • E. J. Barnes and J. T. Ramsey, Cicero and Sallust: On the Conspiracy of Catiline (New York: Longman, 1988)
  • K. Frerichs, Cicero's First Catilinarian Oration (Wauconda, Ill.: Bolchazy-Carducci, 1997)

    • Objectives:

    Latin 24 is fourth in the sequence of elementary and intermediate language courses and marks the transition from learning the basics of the language to developing skills to read and comprehend original Latin texts. Our goals are, in general, to enhance our ability to read Latin with precision and understanding, and to appreciate Latin as a transmitter of ideas and culture. Since learning a language provides the foundation for understanding a culture we will discuss many aspects of Roman life and society in the context of our readings.

    Specific goals based on our readings for this semester include:

    1. ability to read short segments of historical prose [Sallust] for
      a) information and
      b) stylistic appreciation
    2. ability to read Ciceronian oratory with an understanding for
      a) the structure of the argument
      b) major rhetorical features
      c) stylistic levels, and
      d) historical context
    3. ability to evaluate the relative merits of the Sallustian historical monograph and Ciceronian oration for understanding/reconstructing Roman history and social institutions
    4. an understanding of the dynamics of Roman political and social life at the end of the Republic.
    These goals represent processes rather than endpoints in an educational process. In order to realize them in a manner appropriate to the second intermediate Latin course, students will need to demonstrate the following skills, abilities and knowledge:
    1. solid knowledge of standard Latin grammatical principles as demonstrated by reading in context and in discussions about grammar outside of textual context.
    2. ability to read with good understanding selected original Latin texts dealing with a variety of basic issues in Roman society. These texts will be carefully annotated for first time readers. The texts convey information about which the reader has to make some linguistic and cultural suppositions.
    3. ability to recall and write simple fixed expressions and limited memorized material and some recombinations thereof.

    It is expected that each student will achieve these objectives at his or her own level, depending on individual time, energy, and commitment to learning the material.

    Attendance and Participation:

    Because this is a performance class, regular attendance is required of all students. Students are expected to be prepared for and to participate actively in every class. Lack of preparation is no excuse for not participating. Since learning a language is a sequential process and any class sessions or homework missed can seriously affect future performance, only three absences will be allowed. Each absence after the third will lower the total grade by four percentage points. With seven absences a student may be dropped from the course.

    Assignments and Grading:

    Homework assignments are given daily for the next day's class. These are to be completed prior to the class meeting and will be the basis for that day's participation. In addition, about once a week there will be a written homework assignment to be turned in at the beginning of class. Students are responsible for finding out what the homework assignment is if they have missed a class. Homework, quizzes and exams missed during an absence cannot be made up except under exceptional circumstances.

    A short, 15 minute quiz will be given approximately every other week. These quizzes are meant to help students review material recently covered and serve as diagnostic instruments to indicate how well they are progressing in reading and comprehension of the texts. Written homework will be assigned from time to time, and will be collected. Students will also be responsible for one or two in-class presentations on topics to be chosen during the course of the semester. The midterm and final are comprehensive exams which measure the student's total progress at specific points in the course. The midterm will be given during the sixth or seventh week of class; the exact date will be announced at least two weeks in advance. The final will be given at the regularly scheduled time. The midterm and final may include "take-home" sections.

    Grade percentages:
    weekly quizzes 25%
    written homework 10%
    class presentations 10%
    attendance and participation 15%
    midterm 20%
    final 20%
    Austin College's Standards of Academic Integrity are assumed to apply to your work for this course.

    [Bob Cape's Homepage] [Classics Program Homepage] 
    Robert W. Cape, Jr., Assistant Professor of Classics
Classical & Modern Languages
900 N. Grand Avenue, Suite 61539
Sherman, TX 75090-4440
phone: (903) 813-2241  fax: (903) 813-3197
    Mail comments to rcape@austincollege.edu