Intermediate Latin II: The Poetry of Catullus and Sulpicia

 

 

Classics 332                                                                                                                  MWF 9:40-10:40

Macalester College                                                                                                            Old Main 111

Spring 2006                                                                                                                 Nanette Goldman

 

 

 

Office:  Old Main 314      Phone: 651 - 696 - 6659 (x6659)

Office Hours:  MF 10:50- 11:50, 1:10-1:20, T 1:00 – 2:00, and by appointment.

Email:  goldman@macalester.edu 

Course Webpage: http://moodle.macalester.edu (Intermediate Latin II)

 

 

 

 

Required Texts:      1) Catullus.  Amanda Kolson Hurley. Bristol Classical Press. 2004

 

                                    2) Catullus. The Poems. Kenneth Quinn ed. St. Martin’s Press. 1989

 

                                    3) Latin-English, English-Latin dictionary

 

The books are available through the Macalester textbooks bookstore in the Lampert building on Snelling Avenue.  Please notify me immediately if you have difficulties obtaining any of these items.

 

 

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce you to aspects of Latin prosody. The poetry of Catullus and Sulpicia will be the foci. The study of poetic meters, vocabulary and syntax will be addressed systematically. Review of general grammar will be supplied when necessary. Quizzes, exams, attendance and preparation, and an oral presentation/written project will provide the bases for evaluation. One or two guest speakers, experts on Catullus, will visit and speak to the class. This is the final semester of the four- semester sequence which fulfills the Macalester foreign language requirement.

 

 

Evaluations:

 

Class Attendance & Participation

 

20%

Quizzes 

15%

 Analysis of Poem

(Oral and written presentation)

 

10%

Written Assignments

15%

Midterm Exam

15%

Final Exam

25%

 

Grading Scale:

 

*A final grade of C- or higher is required if you are registered Pass/No Credit 

 

94-100         A

90-93           A-

87-89           B+

82-86           B

79-81           B-

77-78           C+

72-76           C

69-71           C-

67-68           D+

62-66           D

59-61           D-

0-58             F

Class Attendance and Participation: 

Daily attention to language study greatly facilitates the acquisition of that language. You should expect to spend a minimum of two hours of preparation for every one hour of class. It is always best to come to class, even if you are not fully prepared. You should strive to translate orally the assigned Latin passage in a smooth manner with a minimum of dependence on glosses.  You may not bring a full English translation to class, but rather use a word list as an aid for translating.  This in-class translation is a major portion of your final grade, so don’t neglect your translation practice. If there is need for absence from class, please notify me in advance via email or phone.  If absent, you will be responsible for obtaining all handouts from the class period - available in an envelope outside my office OM 314 or on the Moodle page.  Failure to prepare adequately for class on a regular basis and consistent absence from class will severely compromise your ability to read Latin and lower your course grade.

 

Written Assignments:

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period.  Late homework will be accepted on a limited basis. It will be accepted and scored as follows: -5% if received after the class period but on the due date,  – 15% if received by the next class period (probably neither corrected nor returned).   Homework will not be accepted after the 2nd elapsed class period. 

 

Examinations:

Grammar/vocabulary and translation quizzes will be given roughly every two - three weeks.  Four quizzes are scheduled.  There is one mid-semester exam and a final exam. If you have difficulties with the date of any scheduled quizzes or exams, consult with me in advance.  Missed quizzes due to unexcused absences will be scored as zeroes.

           

Study suggestions and tips:

Rereading the Latin texts multiple times is essential for maximizing your retention of vocabulary and grammatical principles.  When translating, make a list of words that you don’t know and keep it with you the 2nd and 3rd time you go through the material. Consult a published translation only when you are having difficulty understanding the syntax. Then go back to the Latin and figure out how the translator arrived at his or her translation. Studying with other class members is a useful way of practicing oral translation.  If you feel yourself falling behind, come see me immediately for help in getting back on track.

 

Analysis of Poem: At the end of the semester you will choose a poem of Catullus or Sulpicia, and do a close reading using the techniques of literary analysis learned during the course of the semester. You will lead the class through your poem, presenting your work orally. A formal written paper will complete the project. Specific guidelines will be distributed toward the middle of the semester. The project will constitute 10% of the final grade.

 

 

Schedule of Readings/Spring Semester:

 

Catullus: Polymetrics

 

                                                            Latin                                                    English (Catullus. A.K.Hurley)

 

Week 1            Jan. 23-27                   #1,2,3,5,7,8                                         Introduction pp. 7-14

 

Week 2            Jan. 30–Feb. 3            #10,11,12,13                                       Chapter 1 pp. 15-29

 

v      No Class - January 30

 

Week 3            Feb. 6-10                    #15,22,24,29, 31                                 Chapter 2 pp. 30-44

 

v      Quiz – Feb 6

 

Week 4            Feb. 13-17                  #34, 36, 42, 43, 45, 46, 48                  Chapter 3 pp. 45-63

 

Week 5            Feb. 20-24                  #49, 51, 57, 58, 59, 60                        Chapter 4 pp. 64-73

 

v      Quiz – Feb 20

 

Catullus: Carmina Maiora

 

Week 6            Feb. 27–Mar. 3            #61

 

v      No Class  -  March 3

 

Week 7            Mar. 6-10                    #61, 63                                                Chapter 5 pp.74-95

 

v      Mid-Semester Exam - March 6

 

Week 8            Mar. 13-17       Spring Break

 

Week 9            Mar. 20-24                  #63, 64                                                Chapter 6 pp. 96-114

 

v      No Class – March 20

 

Week 10          Mar. 27-31                  #64.66

 

v      Quiz - March 31

 

 

Catullus: Epigrammata

 

Week 11          Apr. 3-7                       #69, 70 -78                                          Chapter 7 pp. 115-137

 

 

Week 12          Apr. 10-14                  # 79, 80 – 88. 90                                 Conclusion pp. 138-144

 

v      Good Friday Break  April 14

 

Week 13          Apr.17-21                   #91-99, 101, 104-107, 109, 115-116

 

 

Sulpicia: Carmina

 

Week 14          Apr. 24-28                   Carmina of Sulpicia

 

v      Quiz April 24

 

Week 15          May 1-2                       Carmina of Sulpicia

 

v      Final Exam (two hour comprehensive) Thursday, May 4. 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.