UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS
2009/10
Autumn & Spring Semesters
Q8DBLA
BEGINNERS’ LATIN FOR MA
30 Credits
Convener:
Dr Betine van Zyl Smit
Lecturers:
Ms Eleanor Glendinning
Mr Jack Lennon
Mr Nick Wilshere
MODULE BOOKLET
2009/10
CONTENTS
1. Module aims, content and role
Page 2
2. Module objectives
Page 3
3. Teaching and study methods
Page 3
4. Class timetable
Page 3
5. Assessment
Page 5
6. Scaling
Page 7
7. How to do well in this module
Page 7
8. Bibliography
Page 7
Important Notes
Please note that the information contained in this booklet is provisional. In particular,
the dates and times of classes may need to be changed as a result of unforeseen
circumstances. You will be informed in writing of any changes that are made. The
information here takes precedence over that in the Module Catalogue, should the two sources
differ on any points. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are aware of such
changes by consulting the noticeboards on the first floor of the Classics Department,
ARCS, regularly.
This booklet does not repeat information given in the Department of Classics
Undergraduate Handbook (available online at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/classics/).
Everything in the handbook, so far as it is relevant to this module, should be deemed to
form part of this booklet, unless explicitly superseded below.
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1. Module aims, content and role
This is the first half of two successive beginner’s modules which provide comprehensive
basic instruction in classical Latin. The Autumn semester module will be followed by another
in the Spring semester. An updated booklet will be distributed for the Spring semester. The
Latin taught in these modules is classical Latin of the first century BC and first century AD,
but this will provide a solid basis for those who wish to read and study other types of Latin,
including medieval Latin. No previous knowledge of Latin is assumed in the module, but it
will also provide suitable consolidation and development for those with a GCSE in Latin.
This year-long module can form part of the specified degree programme for MA candidates
in the Department of Classics. It is also, however, freely available to other students, whether
or not they are taking other modules in Classics.
Throughout this module and its successors, the focus is on developing your ability to read,
understand and translate Latin. The module will introduce you to some of the fundamental
elements in Latin sentence construction: some of the most common Latin verb forms, all the
regular noun and adjective forms, basic case usage and the use of adverbs, prepositions and
conjunctions. The acquisition of an initial working vocabulary is an integral part of the
course, and it is expected that students will continue to augment their knowledge of Latin
vocabulary through the systematic use and completion of vocabulary books. Also central
throughout is the acquisition of the skills and techniques required for translating Latin, and
the course textbook will quickly give students the opportunity, and the necessary skills, to
translate passages of real Latin verse and prose. Students who take both Beginners’ Latin
modules successfully will be in a position to move on to read Latin literary texts at an
advanced level, but even taking this module on its own will introduce students to the
fundamental features of an inflected language and enable them to read elementary Latin
inscriptions and legends on coins, as well as developing linguistic and analytical skills.
2. Module objectives
On successful completion of the module you should be able to:
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Demonstrate understanding of the basic principles on which an inflected language works.
Demonstrate a sound knowledge of Latin word forms and vocabulary.
Analyse and translate relatively simple Latin sentences.
Compose simple Latin sentences.
Identify and describe the linguistic features studied accurately, and analyse their function
within a sentence.
Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to the material studied.
Process substantial quantities of linguistic information systematically and effectively.
Work productively in small groups.
Work regularly and systematically and organise your time effectively to meet the
demands of linguistic study and learning.
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3. Teaching and study methods
There are four classes each week in which systematic instruction is provided. The emphasis
throughout is on participatory learning. We work as a group, and you will only derive full
benefit from the module if you contribute fully to class discussion. This will enable you to
understand and master the material; it will also develop your ability to work as part of a team.
As the module progresses, we shall work through sentences and passages of increasing
complexity, both Latin into English and English into Latin, and you may be asked to prepare
selections of these ahead of the class in which we look at them. You will find that preparation
is a key factor in developing your ability to read and translate Latin and the more care you
devote to preparation, the more progress you will make.
You will need to devote time regularly to revising what we have done, learning vocabulary,
paradigms, etc. You must purchase a vocabulary book in which you will be expected to write
(and regularly learn) new vocabulary, and you should take notes in class to help simplify and
process the material given in the textbook. You should set aside at least an hour a day for
going over this (don’t forget that this is a 20-credit module and should occupy a third of your
time). Once a week there will be a short vocabulary test so that you may see whether you
have mastered the new words introduced that week.
It is highly recommended that you regularly practise the exercises (based on your textbook)
which are available at http:/www.leakyroofproductions.com
You will get instant feedback and this is a good way of testing whether you know the
vocabulary and inflected word endings.
Learning a language is a cumulative process. You must make sure that you keep up: once you
start to fall behind, you will find it difficult to recover lost ground and to master the new
material that is being introduced.
The key to success is to have a regular schedule of work and organise your time accordingly.
Don’t forget that you must keep revising everything you have learned: don’t assume that
because you have learned it once, it will stick for ever! If you need any personal advice, or
are experiencing any problems, do speak to the class teacher (contact details on page 4).
Please note in particular the advice given in the separate Study Skills booklet.
4. Class timetable
You will be allocated to your groups during the first week of the semester. Each group will
meet for 4 one-hour classes per week.
Mondays
Group A: 09h00 (BvZS) PORTC50
Group B: 15h00(EG)
PORT C50
Tuesdays
Group A: 10h00 (BvZS) PORT C50
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Group B: 11h00 (EG) TRNT B40
Group C: 13h00 (NW) PORT C50
Wednesdays
Group C: 09h00 (NW) PORT C50
Group A: 11h00 (BvZS) PORT C50
Group B: 12h00 (JL)
PORT C50
Thursdays
Group C: 12h00 (NW) TRNT C5
Group A: 16h00 (BvZS) LASS A4
Fridays
Group B: 10h00 (JL) PORT C50
Group C: 15h00 (NW) PORT C50
You are reminded that language-classes are compulsory, and that if you miss one of these for
a good reason, it is your responsibility to inform the Module Convener of this reason by email as soon as possible – preferably before the class in question. Please note that a register
will be kept and unexplained absences will be noted. Persistent absenteeism will be penalised
by awarding a mark of 0% for any remaining assessment on the module (including
exams). Any student who fails to provide a satisfactory explanation for absences will be
asked for such an explanation, and if one is not forthcoming, will be warned that the penalty
will be imposed unless matters improve. This request and warning will be sent to your
University e-mail. It is your responsibility to check your University e-mail regularly.
There will be no classes during the Classics Reading Week (2-6 November), and this week
should be used to revise and consolidate the material covered in preceding weeks.
Contact details of lecturers:
Dr B. van Zyl Smit: ARCS B39 abzbv@nottingham.ac.uk
Ms E. Glendinning ARCS B37 abxerg1@nottingham.ac.uk
Mr J. Lennon
ARCS B37 abxjl1@nottingham.ac.uk
Mr N. Wilshere
ARCS B42 abxnw1@nottingham.ac.uk
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5. Assessment
The assessment for this module consists of: (i) five weekly exercises (30%); (ii) one 50minute class test (30%); (iii) a 1hr 30 min examination (40%) in the Autumn semester and an
equivalent assessment programme for the Spring semester. The marks for the two semesters
are combined on a 50-50 basis.
(i) Exercises
These are to be done in your own time, and you can use books and dictionaries to help you.
Coursework must be wholly your own work. You must not quote or paraphrase the words of
published authors without acknowledgement.You must not use the work of another student
either, even if you work together, since this could be classed as plagiarism. Plagiarism is the
academic offence of seeking an unfair advantage by using other people’s work as
though it were your own, and the penalties for plagiarism are severe. If you are in any doubt
about what constitutes plagiarism, make sure you ask your class teacher. If you have not
read and signed the School of Humanities declaration on plagiarism, you must go to the
Classics Departmental Office and do so immediately.
The form of the exercises will vary but may include the identification of word forms and
linguistic structures, and the translation of words, sentences or passages from Latin into
English, and the translation of words or sentences from English into Latin as well as exercises
to test your comprehension of a Latin text. The principal purpose of the exercises is to give
you the opportunity to use and consolidate the knowledge and skills you have acquired. It is
important to do them carefully, not just because this will result in a better mark, but because
it will strengthen your grasp of the material and techniques we have covered.
You will be asked to submit each exercise at or before a stated class (normally the respective
first class of the week). You must submit the exercise by giving it personally to your class
teacher at the stated class. If this is not possible, contact the convenor in advance by email so
that arrangements can be made to collect it. Work cannot normally be submitted by email.
The exercise must bear, prominently displayed, your name and your year of study. Marked
exercises will normally be returned the following week.
Work not submitted without good cause by the time set as the deadline will be subject to a
deduction of 5 marks (out of 100) for every working day it is late, and, if not submitted by the
class at which the exercise is returned to either group, will normally not be accepted or
awarded a mark. Exemptions from late submission penalties will normally only be granted on
medical or compassionate grounds. See further Postgraduate Handbook, 6.4.
Exercises will be returned to you with a mark. This mark is provisional, since it will not have
been approved by the moderator or External Examiner for this module.
Once coursework has been returned to you, you must keep it safe until the end of the spring
semester (and produce it on request). If you lose any items of coursework, you must inform
the Head of Department immediately, providing a written account of the circumstances and
any relevant documentation.
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(ii) Class Test (50 minutes)
The Class Test will be written at COAT A1+ at 10h00 on Friday 30 October.
Please note that it is important that you are all assessed in one group on this date. Please
inform the convener a.s.a.p. if you absolutely cannot attend at the time listed above.
The test will comprise some or all of the following: (i) translation of sentences from Latin
into English; (ii) translation of sentences from English into Latin; (iii) questions requiring
classification and description of items of Latin grammar and syntax; (iv) translation of one or
more passages from portions of Introduction to Latin, or from appropriate supplementary
sources (new vocabulary only will be supplied where a reasonable deduction of the meaning
of a word cannot be expected).
Unless you are told otherwise, the class test will only assume knowledge of the grammar and
vocabulary covered up to the start of Reading Week. This will give you a chance to revise
over Reading Week.
The main purpose of the class test is to ensure that you have fully mastered the material we
have covered at that stage. Thorough revision and preparation will provide the chance to
consolidate what you have learned before we go on to the next part of the course. The class
test itself will also show up any deficiencies in your knowledge and you should then make
sure that you remedy them.
(iii) Examination (1.5 hours)
This will be held in the designated examination period towards the end of the semester: the
exact date, time and place will be announced in due course by the Examination Office.
The examination may comprise some or all of the following: (i) translation of sentences from
Latin into English; (ii) translation of sentences from English into Latin; (iii) questions
requiring classification and description of items of Latin grammar and syntax; (iv) translation
of one or more passages from portions of Introduction to Latin, or from appropriate
supplementary sources (new vocabulary only will be supplied where a reasonable deduction
of the meaning of a word cannot be expected). Questions will assume knowledge of all
grammar and learning vocabulary covered during the semester.
Like the class test, the examination is an essential part of the learning process for the module.
It gives you a chance to consolidate all the material covered in the semester. Moreover, by
requiring you to learn the vocabulary and grammar, it should ensure that you have a firm
platform for the next stage in learning the language.
Absence from a class test or examination is normally excused only on production of written
medical evidence that you were unfit to take the examination on the date concerned.
Otherwise, absence will usually result in the award of 0 for the class test or examination
concerned.
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6. Scaling
The Classics Department reserves the right to scale the marks awarded either for the module
in order to bring them into line with the general pattern of marks awarded for modules at this
level. Scaling to 60% of marks above 50% is applied in this module and so your overall mark
for the module will not be a direct sum of the (provisional) marks awarded to you. The
procedure used for scaling is set out in the Postgraduate Handbook section 7.2. Scaling is not
applied to marks of 50% or below. Since the pass mark is 40%, no-one who gets a raw mark
of 40 or more for the module will fail as a result of the scaling procedure. Marks above 50%
will be scaled to 60%. That means that a student who, for example, gets a final mark of 90%
will have 50 + (60% of 40 =24) and will end up with 74%.
7. How to do well in this module
(i) Attend classes regularly!
(ii) Participate actively in classes (don’t be afraid of making mistakes; sometimes it’s the
quickest way to learn).
(iii) Set aside regular time each day for learning and revising the material we have covered.
(iv)When translating sentences and passages, always aim to understand precisely how the
grammar and syntax works.
(v) Always give yourself plenty of time to work through the exercises carefully: don’t leave
them to the last minute and don’t rush them.
(vi) Make sure you have a realistic and adequate revision schedule both for the class tests and
the examination.
(vii) Always ask when you don’t understand anything, want it explained again or are having
difficulty in coping with any aspect of your work. When something arises in class that
puzzles you, ask about it. If you do not want to raise a question in class, come and see your
class teacher during his/her office hours.
8. Bibliography
The textbook for all Beginners’ Latin modules is: Susan C. Shelmerdine Introduction to Latin
(Focus, rev. 1st ed., 2007). You will need to buy this and bring it to all classes. It is
available in Blackwell’s, in the Portland Building.
It is recommended that you should also buy a copy of A Latin Grammar by James Morwood
(OUP, 1999). We shall refer to it in class and it will provide a useful source of reference as
long as you study Latin. It is also available at Blackwell’s.
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