Policy Sheet for Latin IV for College Credit
Latin IV is a college level course for a possible 6 college credits from St. John’s
University. The course actually consists of two parts. The first semester consists of prose selections from Caesar and Cicero, while the second semester consists of selections from Vergil’s Aeneid.
Most of the relevant grammar for reading these works will have been covered through completion of Latin 3 and the emphasis will be on reading. We meet twenty times per quarter. We will cover two passages per five day cycle with a test every fifth day of the cycle. Two of the class periods per five day cycle will be devoted to in class independent reading of the assigned texts. Two class periods will consist of discussion of the texts and will also be filled with exercises of varied natures intended to supplement knowledge of the grammar and syntax needed for the understanding of those texts and for review for the test which will occur during every fifth class. Each test requires a detailed familiarity with the language of each passage that will be tested through translation, identification and explanation of key grammatical concepts, as well as by an essay that tests one’s comprehension of the text. The goal is to achieve mastery of the assigned texts. In addition to reading the required texts in Latin each student who takes the course for college credit will be required to read four scholarly articles on related topics per quarter and write two two page papers that explain the main conclusions of the articles they have read . Each semester will include a final exam which will be comprehensive and retain the format of the earlier exams.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
The texts for the first semester will come from supplementary handouts, commentaries, and websites as necessary. I have prepared study packets that have all the required readings as well as a worksheet to complete for each reading. There are numerous helpful websites to consult for commentary . Each student who has a laptop, tablet, etc. is encouraged to bring it to class and should share with anyone who doesn’t have one.
It would be monumentally silly not to take advantage of the numerous helpful websites available. If you have a laptop or tablet you will not need a dictionary as you can find vocabulary lists online. Otherwise, bring your dictionary! I also encourage the use of a three-hole punch binder to keep all the handouts organized.
****Please purchase the following textbook for use during the second semester : Pharr,
Clyde,
Vergil’s Aeneid Books I-VI:
Bolchazy Carducci Publishers, Inc. 1998. ****
The first semester, which corresponds to Lat 2030C, will be based on the AP curriculum for Caesar and Cicero.
Quarter 1
The first quarter will consist primarily of work done with the .Caesar Workbook . This workbook includes all of the passages required for the Caesar AP examination as well as exercises which reinforce learning key grammatical concepts. The following selections from Caesar’s
De Bello Gallico will be read:1.1-1.3, 4.24-4.27, and 6.13-6.20.

Quarter 2
The second quarter will consist primarily of work done with the Cicero Workbook.
This workbook includes all of the passages required for the Cicero AP examination as well as exercises which reinforce learning key grammatical concepts. It also includes practice learning key stylistic and rhetorical features of Cicero’s prose.
The following selections from Cicero’s
Pro Archia Poeta Oratio will be read: lines 1-
157 and 376-397
The second semester, which corresponds to Lat 2040C, will be based on the AP curriculum for Vergil.
Quarter 3
The third quarter will consist primarily of work done with the Vergil Workbook.
This workbook includes all of the passages required for the Vergil AP examination as well as exercises which reinforce learning key grammatical concepts. It also includes practice learning key stylistic features of Vergil’s poetry including how to scan dactylic hexameters and learn to appreciate Vergil’s mastery of this meter. The following selections from Vergil’s Aeneid will be read: 1.1-131, 1.180-209 , 1.418-440, 1.494-578, and 2.201-249.
Quarter 4
The fourth quarter will consist primarily of work done with the Vergil Workbook.
The following selections from Vergil’s
Aeneid will be read: 4.160-218, 4.259-361, 6.450-
476, and 6.847-899
Additionally, students will be expected to have read the entire Aeneid in an English translation in preparation for the final exam and in order to understand the poetry passages in the context of the poem as a whole.
GRADING
Grading is holistic and based on class participation, homework, and tests. My emphasis for grading has always been to reward those individuals the most who demonstrate the most precise understanding of the Latin language in relation to their peers. Tests are the most objective means to determine this and therefore weigh most heavily when computing grades. I also believe that students who are engaged in the classroom and responsible with their homework deserve to be rewarded. Therefore the weighting of these components is roughly 50% tests vs. 50% participation and homework.
Please make sure you and your parents have reviewed the information above thoroughly and sign below.
Date:
Parent’s/Guardian’s signature:_____________________________________________
Student’s signature:______________________________________________________