Latin 306: Urbs et Rus
Spring 2016
M/W 8:00-9:15 CRT 109
Instructor: Dr. D. Wesolowski
Office: Curtin 809
Email: dwesolow@uwm.edu
Office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 and by appointment.
Objectives:
In this course we will be reading selections of Latin prose and poetry that focus on the city (urbs)
and the countryside (rus). In addition to basic grammar and syntax work, we will be learning
about grammatical, rhetorical, and metrical devices found the (mostly) unabridged Latin texts.
The goal of this course is to familiarize students with some of the common Latin authors of the
later Roman Republic and Early Empire.
Required books:
1. Essential Latin Grammar: Bennett’s Grammar Revised. 2007. (ISBN 978-1585102440)
2. Cassell’s Standard Latin Dictionary. 1977. (ISBN 978-0025225800)
3. Course handouts – either handed out in class, or made available on D2L.
Course grade components:
Homework: 20% of course grade
Each night there will be translation homework assigned. To prepare for class, you should
read the Latin to yourself and figure out which words you do not know. Those words should be
kept in a running vocabulary list in a notebook. There will be more vocabulary and grammar
help provided and keyed to the Essential Latin Grammar text to help you along. It is very
important not to write in your text; keep it clean so you can force yourself to read the Latin again
while studying for quizzes and exams. Keep looking over your vocabulary lists to learn the new
words and review ones you’ve forgotten. You should read the text over (legitimately read, not
just look at the words) at least three times before coming to class. This means you will need to
prepare better than you perhaps did for Latin 205 (or 104 or 103).
In addition to nightly translation homework there will be D2L grammar review work and
assignments linked to English readings. Unless otherwise announced, homework is due the
following course meeting. Late assignments are not accepted.
Quizzes: 20%
There will be short bi-weekly quizzes on the material covered to continually review the
translation work in class. There are no make-up quizzes.
Participation: 15%
Preparation and participation is expected at every class meeting. If there is lecture
material given, you are expected to take notes and also know that material for quizzes,
homework assignments, and exams. You are allowed two free absences, after which your
participation score will be lowered incrementally. Not being prepared will also negatively affect
your grade.
50% of your participation grade will be based on your performance as a reading leader
for one day. Beginning the third week of class, there will be a “reading leader” for the
Wednesday meeting of class. Each student will be a leader once during the semester. On your
leader day, you will give a brief overview of the material that is covered in your section, and then
you will lead the class through the translation. As the reading leader, you will be responsible for
knowing all of the grammar, vocabulary, and the translation of that day’s assignment especially
well. Reading leader assignments will begin in week 3, and will be continue until all students
have participated. They will be assigned the first day of class.
Exams: 45% of course grade. Midterm 20%, Final Exam 25%
Because we are reading from a number of authors, the exams will not be cumulative for
the translations. This semester there will also be the possibility of essay and short answer questions
in addition to translation and grammar questions. Content questions may be more cumulative.
Exams cannot be made up. Exceptions will be made in cases of extreme emergency, which must
be properly documented. If an emergency does arise, you must contact me within 24 hours of the
exam date. No exceptions will be made after 24 hours. Your travel plans should be made with
the exam dates in mind.
Other information:
Academic Misconduct: Everything that you do in this class for a grade should be your work
alone. This includes all work on translations*, examinations, quizzes, and graded written
homework. Any work that appears not to be your own will receive a zero. Two violations will
result in a failing grade for the course in accordance with “Group B” Sanctions. (See the website
below for details.)
It is your responsibility to inform yourself of the University guidelines for Academic
Misconduct. For University policy on Academic Misconduct, including procedures that I must
follow should a student violate the rules, see the following web page:
http://uwm.edu/academicaffairs/facultystaff/policies/academic-misconduct/
Additional Policies: For policies regarding participation by students with disabilities,
accommodation for religious observances, academic misconduct, complaint procedures, grade
appeal procedures, sexual harassment, and incompletes, please see the Classics bulletin board
outside the offices of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, eighth floor, Curtin
Hall. If you are registered with ARC for special accommodations, please see the instructor as soon
as possible.
As per the university regulations, for a 3 credit course you should anticipate 144 hours of work
for the semester. For this course, this should translate roughly to:
2-75 minute class meetings a week plus the final (39.5hours a semester)
6 hours a week of reading preparation/homework (90 hours)
- 3 hours/meeting
1 extra hour to prepare for being a reading leader. (1 hour)
13.5 hours to study and review for quizzes and exams.
For all Classics Majors and Minors: All students enrolled as majors or minors in a Classics
concentration (Latin, Greek, and Classical Civilization), as well as those who would like to enroll as
majors or minors, should contact the Program Coordinator, Dr. Kevin Muse as soon as possible.
Certificate Program in Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS)
UWM offers a number of interdisciplinary certificates that students can earn in addition to the usual
majors and minors. The Certificate Program in Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS) is designed to
encourage students to pursue a serious interest in the ancient Mediterranean world in a structured way. A
variety of disciplines are concerned with reconstructing various aspects of ancient civilizations, including
linguistics, history, archaeology, art history, anthropology, philosophy, and literary studies. Latin 306
counts toward fulfilling requirements of the CAMS certificate. For more information on the CAMS
program, including course requirements, faculty, and upcoming events, check our website:
http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/CAMS/index.html
Course Schedule: Subject to change.
Week
Date
Topic and Reading
Week
1
Monday
1/25
Introduction, Explanation of course goals
Wednesday
1/27
Reading: Livy/Tacitus
Week
2
Monday
2/1
Reading: Tacitus
Wednesday
2/3
Reading
Week
3
Monday
2/8
Reading
Wednesday
2/10
Reading; Leader:
Week
4
Monday
2/15
Reading
Wednesday
2/17
Quiz 1; Leader:
Week
5
Monday
2/22
Reading
Wednesday
2/24
Reading; Leader:
Week
6
Monday
3/1
Reading
Wednesday
3/3
Quiz 2; Leader:
Week
7
Monday
3/8
Reading
Wednesday
3/10
Midterm Exam
Week
8
Monday
3/15
Wednesday
3/17
Week
9
Monday
3/22
Reading
Wednesday
3/24
Reading; Leader:
Week
10
Monday
3/29
Reading
Wednesday
3/31
Reading; Leader:
Week
11
Monday
4/5
Reading
Wednesday
4/7
Quiz 3; Leader:
Week
12
Monday
4/12
Reading
Wednesday
4/14
Reading; Leader:
Week
13
Monday
4/19
Reading
Wednesday
4/21
Quiz 4; Leader
Week
14
Monday
4/26
Reading
Wednesday
4/28
Reading
Week
15
Monday
5/3
Reading
Wednesday
5/5
Reading; Quiz 5
Week
16
Monday
Wednesday
5/10
5/12
Reading
Spring Break
Reading
Final Exam Wednesday May 18, 2016, 7:30-9:30 am