Intermediate Latin Prose

CLAS 231-01

Old Main 011
Macalester College
Fall 2004
Instructor: Nanette Scott Goldman   e-mail

MWF 9:40-10:40

Office: Old Main 407 Phone: 651 - 696 - 6659 (x6659)
Office Hours: MF 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Tu 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. and by appointment.

Course Description:

This course is designed to augment your ability to read Latin prose through increased exposure to grammar, syntax and vocabulary. The first 11 weeks of our class meetings will be devoted to working through the textbook The Millionaire’s Dinner Party, which provides grammatical review through adapted readings from Petronius’ Satyricon. In the last few weeks of the semester we will read selections from Suetonius’ sensational, gossip-based biography of the emperor Nero.

We will systematically review the forms and syntax for each chapter of The Millionare’s Dinner Party, discuss and manipulate the exercises based on that grammar, and translate the passage from The Millionaire’s Dinner Party. Vocabulary and grammar quizzes, written translations of select passages, and English to Latin and Latin to English exercises will serve as the partial bases for evaluation. One midterm exam will also be given Wednesday, October 18. The final exam is on Friday, December 17, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.

We will read all of the Satyricon in translation, as well as a series of short commentaries on related historical, literary and cultural themes. Each of you will also give a report on a relevant aspect of Silver Age Roman society of your choosing.