Latin 120A
California State
University, Sacramento
Course Description
120A. Vergil: a study of the works of the Roman poets Catullus and Vergil, along with topics in advanced Latin grammar and vocabulary.
Prerequisite: Latin 2 or equivalent; or permission of the instructor. 3 units.
[3] credits
Syllabus:
Textbooks:
- ECCE ROMANI Book 3
- Catullus, Selected Works
- Pharr, Vergil's Aeneid (we will read Book 4)
Tests: There will be periodic quizzes and a final exam. The quizzes are all announced; there are no makeups. Part of any quiz may be take-home. The quizzes and exams count 80% of your grade; class work (=homework completion, readiness to answer questions) is 20%. The quizzes will cover new features (and old) of the Latin language; the quizzes will also cover the content of the readings.
Grading: Quizzes receive a numerical grade. The average of these grades is 80% of the grade in the class. 90%-100% = A; 80%-89% = B; 70%-79% = C; 60%-69% = D. Less than 60% = failure.
Attendance: I expect you to be in class every day. You get 5 (five) "free" absences; after that number, your grade goes down one step (A to B, B to C, and so on).
Homework: Assignments in selected chapters of Ecce Romani 3. After this preliminary work is finished, we will read selected poems of Catullus and Book 4 of Vergil's Aeneid. Since the class has not studied Latin poetry before, topics in meter, versification, poetic vocabulary, rhetorical and literary topoi will be covered.
Objectives: to develop skill in reading unedited Latin poetry. Read for content.
Links to Web Sites on Catullus and Vergil:
This is the closest I have found to a Catullus Home Page:
Vergil:
Translations of Vergil
Mantovano - "The Mantuan" an on-line discussion group about Vergil and his works.
Let me know if you find other relevant sites.
Why Take This Course; Why Study Latin?
- You will learn much about Roman literature, particularly poetry, the genre which had maximum status with the Romans..
- You will greatly improve your knowledge of Latin, especially of the standard Latin poetry used throughout antiquity and the Renaissance.
- You will become familiar with some of the fundamental influences on the development of the English language, particularly its literary manifestations.
Requirements
You must have taken Latin 1A, 1B, and 2 at CSUS or the equivalent (usually three semesters) at another university. Two years of intensive high school study can be equivalent. Consult the instructor if you are in doubt.
I recommend that you have a SacLink account for electronic mail and Internet services. Although a home computer with a high speed modem running Netscape or Internet Explorer would be beneficial, students can use the Web from one of the campus student labs. I will give you a disk of Latin exercises which you can do at home. Bring me a disk to exchange. I have exercises for Mac and DOS.
Successful Student Characteristics
Discipline to complete projects by deadlines; motivation to study, write, and participate fully in class activities; and time to devote approximately 10 hours a week to a 3-credit course. Most students who take this class are also enrolled in advanced classes in English, History, Humanities, Philosophy, or similar fields. Many are graduate students.
Instructor
e-mail = mtriley@csus.edu.
DEPARTMENT / CSUS
Page updated: 11/23/98