Labor omnia vincit.
Beginning Latin, Lat101, Fall 2015
Class meets four times the week
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 3:00-3:50 PM Burris BU121
Instructor: Dr. Gislind E. Pentecost, e-mail gpenteco@bsu.edu
Office: Faculty White House
Office hours: MTWF 12:00-1:50 PM and by appointment
Material
Balme&Morwood
Oxford Latin Course Part I
Charles Freundlich Workbook in Latin, First Year
Edith Hamilton
Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes
Supplementary material www, audio and video tapes.
Objectives
1. Language Learning
Students read, understand, and interpret Latin; students demonstrate reading
comprehension by answering simple questions in Latin about passages in Latin; students
demonstrate knowledge of vocabulary, basic inflectional systems, and syntax appropriate
to their reading level. Students read, speak, listen to, and write Latin.
2. Culture
Students gain knowledge und understanding of Greco-Roman culture through the reading
of Latin and English texts. Students demonstrate a basic knowledge of the daily life of
ancient Greeks and Romans, about some famous Greeks and Romans and of selected
facts of history and geography of the ancient world. Students gain knowledge of classical
mythology.
3. Students’ intellectual and emotional growth
Students further their knowledge of other disciplines through their study of Latin. They
develop insight into their own language through derivatives and word studies, and
develop understanding of their own culture by comparing and contrasting their own life
to that of the Greeks and Romans. They also compare and contrast themes and heroes of
classical mythology to the themes and heroes of their own folklore and culture.
Course requirements and policies
Students need
a notebook for note taking in class, steno pad to write down vocabulary, a folder in which
to collect homework and handouts.
Homework
is an important part of the learning process! Students should not work together doing
homework since it is counterproductive. In general, homework is assigned every class
period. It should be put on the teacher's desk at the beginning of the class on the due date.
Late homework will only be accepted in emergency situations. No homework should be
done in class.
Quizzes and tests
will be announced. Grammar, vocabulary, and reading material will be tested.
Class starts on the hour. The clock in the classroom is considered the correct
time. Please be in the classroom a few minutes before class starts. Tardiness is very
disruptive. Class participation is very important for improving language skills. Doing
the homework is a prerequisite for good class participation.
Absences It is the students’ responsibility to find out what they missed. Quizzes
and tests should be made up as soon as possible. The same applies to homework. If
possible, teacher should be notified by e-mail or by a note attached to the office door
prior to the absence. Unexcused absences result in 0 credits.
Academic dishonesty Your student handbook outlines policies. Since
homework is 15% of your grade, copying other students’ homework most certainly
violates the rules of academic honesty and integrity. It also is very counterproductive.
Homework is assigned to help you master the material. Homework should not be done in
class.
Computer in the classroom
Teacher will let students know when they need the computer in class.
Cell phones should be kept in your backpacks during class.
Grade
15% homework
25% final
40% tests, quizzes
10% preparation, class participation
10% presentation
Grade scale
69 and below D*
70-72 C-, 73-76 C, 77-79 C+
80-82 B-, 83-86 B, 87-89 B+
90-92 A-, 93-100 A
We will cover all 15 chapters of Part I, Oxford Latin Course. As the grammar
becomes more complex, students will do drill exercises. Chapters will be assigned from
Edith Hamilton’s Mythology book. There will be chapter tests and short quizzes over the
reading material.
All students take the Classical Literacy Exam (Latin phrases used in English,
places and people of antiquity, some basic knowledge of Greek mythology), National
Latin Exam (40 questions testing grammar, reading, mythology, derivatives, Roman life
and history, testing administration is the week of February 29-March 4) and the Medusa
Mythology Exam (40 questions, theme for this year is Heracles – the 1st Avenger,
testing administration will be the week between December 7-11). The national exams
will be 10% of the spring semester grade. Preparation for the exams starts right now.
Students are encouraged to participate in the activities of the Junior Classical
League which complement the class material. Latin Day, formerly called President’s
Day, is the first event in the fall semester. More information about activities will come at
a later date.