LAT 1120H and 1121H: Honors Latin I and II

Latin via Ovid

Course Description: 4 Credit Hours

Honors Latin I and II are designed to offer students a thorough introduction to the Latin language, with emphasis on reading and translation. The sequence contributes to the Honors College program in foreign languages, allowing students to meet their undergraduate language requirement in a classical language. It also contributes to the College=s emphasis on intellectual history. Students will learn Latin vocabulary, grammar and syntax in parallel with English language forms. They will study word derivations and parallels between Latin and other Romance languages. Through a weekly set of exercises, readings, problems in translation, quizzes, and tests, students will develop a reading knowledge of Latin that will prepare them to read classical authors. In the normal sequence of courses (LAT 1120 and LAT 1121, regular sessions) the first two courses would be followed by a 2000 level class, focusing on reading, translation and grammatical review, before moving to 3000 and 4000 level classes in Latin authors. The present Honors sequence is designed to be cross-listed with the normal sequence, covering the same material in Latin but adding significant content in terms ancillary readings and writing assignments, as well as opportunities for extra study in language. The Honors sequence of Latin I and II, however, is sufficiently intensive to allow highly motivated students to move directly into a 3000 level course. In addition to an intensive course in the Latin language, this sequence also provides readings in selected Greek and Roman authors in translation. This version of Latin 1120 will focus on readings from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. In LAT 1121 we will focus on Virgil’s Aeneid. Students will also be asked to utilize online sources in classics, for example the Perseus Project, containing a compendium of Latin and Greek texts with translations, as well as a variety of sources in classical studies.

Assignments and Grades:

In keeping with the course design outlined above, students will take a series of tests and quizzes, as well as complete a sequence of homework and class work assignments, in the Latin language. In addition, tests will include brief essays on the Roman authors studied. Furthermore, students will write a final paper on key theme in their readings. These assignments will contribute to the final grade as follows:

1) Quizzes: 15% of final grade;

2) Homework and Class work: 10% of final grade;

3) Tests: three, including the final exam: each worth 20% of the final grade;

4) Paper on Roman literature: 15% of final grade. The paper will be 1,000 words in length and involve: a) a literary analysis of Virgil’s Aeneid, focusing on its mythic content; b) an analysis of the Aeneid as Roman epic adapting and transforming Greek oral-heroic literature; c) a character analysis, e.g. of Aeneas or Dido or Juno, or Amanda, or Turnus, in terms of a significant critical theme; b) a story rendering your own version of some aspect of Virgil’s epic, adapted for contemporary readers as Dante adapted and transformed the story of Aeneas and Dido (in the tale of Paolo and Francesca) and the theme of tragic love in Canto 5 of the Inferno.

Students enrolled in this course agree to abide by the Honors College Honor Code. Please review the terms of this important document: http://www.fau.edu/divdept/honcol/students/honorcode.html

Honors Study Group: In an effort to enhance progress in reading and translating Latin, Honors students are invited to form a Latin study group. As students develop their reading skills in the language, they will increasingly be introduced to challenging readings in the Latin authors and encouraged to discuss the intellectual issues raised by their readings. In time this group will form the basis advanced Honors Seminars in classical languages and culture.

Latin Via Ovid: The text used for this class presents introductory Latin in terms of the Roman Imperial writer, Publius Ovidius Naso, popularly known as Ovid (43 BC to AD 18). In his Metamorphoses, Ovid renders the stories of Greek and Roman myth in a series of poems focused on the theme of metamorphosis. The series begins with stories of the Creation and the Four Ages of Man, threads through various Greco-Roman myths and legends, and ends with a tale of Julius Caesar being transformed into a star after death. The Latin Via Ovid text begins with a discussion of the map of Europe, charta geographica, then goes on to the story of Europa and Taurus, and other stories. The fun of learning from this book is enhanced by its addition of mythical dimensions to the study of language. The stories from Ovid are delightful in their own right and make the challenging study of Latin more enjoyable. To further enrich the literary and mythic aspect of the course, we will also be reading Alan Mandelbaum’s translation of Virgil’s Aeneid. Virgil’s work has been highly influential in the history of literature both for its thematic content and for its poetic style. Overall, you should find your readings in the Latin and English versions of Roman literature an enriching experience. If you study hard, this course will enhance your skills so that you will be ready to read the original Latin texts of Virgil and Ovid.

Tapes: There is a set of tapes available for Latin Via Ovid. They are on reserve in the library, where there are cassette players available for your use. The tapes are labeled by chapter. Please take the time to listen to each chapter, so that you may more readily learn pronunciation and improve your skills in comprehension.

In nova fert animus mutatas dicere formas

corpora: di, coeptis—nam vos mutastis et illas—

adspirate meis primaque ab origine mundi

ad mea perpetuum deducite tempora carmen.

Ovid, Metamorphoses I, 1-4.

Syllabus: Latin II

Required Texts:

Goldman, Norma and Jacob Nyenhuis. Latin Via Ovid: A First Course. (LVO) 2^nd Edition

Mandelbaum, Alan, trans. The Aeneid of Virgil

Tapes: The LVO text provides a series of tapes to assist you with reading, comprehension, and pronunciation. They are on reserve in the library. Please use these in conjunction with your homework.

Online Sources:

Latin Home Page: http://latin.gal.ohio‑state.edu/

Latin Resources: http://www.wcupa.edu/library.fhg/internet/recommnd/Latin.htm

Latin Study Guide: http://www.slu.edu/colleges/AS/languages/classical/latin/tchmat/tchmat.html

Ovid’s Metamorphoses: http://web.reed.edu/academic/departments/english/courses/english301/ovid.html

Latin Texts Online: http://www.oberlin.edu/~jyazbek/latin/texts/onlintxt.html

Perseus Project: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu

Week Activities

1 Jan. 7-9

Latin via Ovid (LVO), Review: Final Exam from Latin I; LVO Ch. XX, “Midas et Pan,” the perfect passive system; deponent verbs; idem, eadem, idem. Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology.

2 Jan. 14-16

LVO Interim Reading, “Daedalus et Icarus,”; LVO Ch. XXI, “Orpheus et Eurydice”; writing, , dialogue, grammar. etymology. Conjugation of fero ; third declension adjectives, participles,; Aeneid, Book I.

3 Jan. 21-23 (Jan. 21, MLK Holiday)

Quiz 1. LVO Ch. XXII, “Mors Orphei.” Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology. Future active participle, active periphrastic conjugation, comparison of adjectives.

4 Jan. 28-30

Interim Reading II: “Phaëthon.” Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology. Aeneid, Book II.

5 Feb. 4-6

Test 1, Monday. LVO Ch. XXIII, “Iason et Argonautae,” Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology. Indirect statement. Tense, reflexives in indirect statement; use of nego; quidam, quaedam, quiddam; irregular adjectives.

6 Feb. 11-13

LVO Chapter XXIV, “Amor Jasonis”: Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology. The present subjunctive, active and passive forms. Aeneid, Book III.

7 Feb. 18-20

LVO Ch. XXV, “Labores Iasonis”: Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology. The imperfect subjunctive, active and passive; purpose clauses, result clauses, sequence of tenses. Aeneid, Book IV.

8 Feb. 25-27

LVO Ch. XXVI: “Facta Magica Medeae”: The perfect and pluperfect subjunctive, contrary-to-fact conditions, some additional uses of the dative case. Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology.

Aeneid, Book V. Quiz II.

March 4-8, Spring Break

9 March 11-13

Interim Reading III: “Facta Mala Medeae”: Reading and review. Aeneid, Book VI.

LVO Ch. XXVII, “Theseus Toezene”: Reading, writing, grammar, etymology. Review and synopsis of

subjunctive forms.

10 March 18-20

LVO, Ch. XXVIII, “Theseus Athenis”: Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology. Aeneid, Book VII.

Cum as preposition and conjunction; cum with the subjunctive; temporal conjunctions; adjectives with the dative; irregular comparison of adjectives. Review for Test II. Review of conjugations, tenses.

11 March 25-27

Test II, Monday. LVO, Ch. XXIX, Theseus Cretae”: Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology. Relative clauses with indicative, with subjunctive; relative purpose clauses; impersonal verbs; relative pronouns introducing sentences; facere ut; the gerund. Aeneid, Book VIII.

12 April 1-3

LVO, Ch. XXX, “Theseus Rex”: Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology. Jussive noun clause (indirect command); subjunctive by attraction; subjunctive with verbs of fearing; inverted cum clause with indicative; accusative of place to which; accusative of extent of time. Begin Interim Reading IV: Pluto et Proserpina.” Aeneid, Book IX-X.

13 April 8-10

Complete Interim Reading IV. LVO, Ch. XXXI, “Bellum Troianum: Sacrificium Iphigeniae”: Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology. Conditions; reading poetry, meter, poetic forms; name and place allusions.

LVO XXXII, “Bellum Troianum: Mors Cygni.” Reading. Review of deponent and semi-deponent verbs. Aeneid, Book XI.

14 April 15-18

LVO, Chapter XXXIII, “Bellum Troianum: Aiax et Ulixes”: Reading, writing, dialogue, grammar, etymology.

Review. Aeneid, Book XII. LVO, Ch. XXXIV, “Bellum Troianum: Troia Capta”: reading; review of participles, numbers, ablatives.

15 April 22-24.

LVO, Chapter XXXV: “Filming the Odyssey.”

Review. Paper on Virgil Due.

16 Final Examination (Test III): Monday, April 29, 1:15-3:45PM, MHC 114.