Intermediate Latin Prose

CLAS 231-01

Classics 231 Fall 2004
Intermediate Latin Prose Nanette Goldman
SYLLABUS

Office: 407 Old Main
Office phone: 6659
Office hours: MF 8:30-9:30 Tu 1:00-2:30, AND BY APPOINTMENT
goldman@macalester.edu
Course homepage: http://www.macalester.edu/courses/clas231

PRECEPTOR LIZ CAVERT:
email: ecavert@macalester.edu
phone: 612-386-0382
office hours: TBA

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.

EVALUATIONS

Class Attendance & Participation 20% Quizzes 15%
Oral Report 10% Written Assignments 15%
Midterm Exam 15% Final Exam 25%

Class Attendance and Participation:
Regular 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. (I’ll be making plenty of excuses if the Twins get into the post season) We will discuss preparation techniques, but in general you should strive to translate orally the assigned Latin passage in a smooth manner with a minimum of reliance on English 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, especially on quiz days, 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 407. 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. Latin assignments will be given in class and then posted on the web page (English reading assignments are already noted on the schedule) Late homework will be accepted and graded as follows: -5% if received after class but on the due date. – 10% if received by the next class period. Homework later than that will not be accepted.

Examinations:
Grammar/vocabulary quizzes will be given every two chapters. Five quizzes are scheduled, one after every two chapters If you have difficulties with the date of any scheduled quiz or exam, consult with me in advance. Missed quizzes due to unexcused absences will be scored as zeroes. The Mid-semester and Final Exam format will be discussed extensively as the dates approach.

Study suggestions and tips:
Regularity in class attendance and completion of homework is the most important component in acquiring a new language. The average ratio of hours of outside preparation to hours in class is 2/1. Frequent quizzes and written assignments provide the incentive to keep up. Flash cards are enormously beneficial in memorizing the large amount of vocabulary required for this course. Studying with other class members often yields positive results. To that end a class list with names, emails and phone numbers will be distributed within the 1st week of the semester. If you feel yourself falling behind, come see me or Liz Cavert immediately for help in getting back on track.

GRADING SCALE

93-100 A
90-92 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

TEXTBOOKS

The following 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.

Required: M.G. Balme, The Millionaire’s Dinner Party, Oxford.

Sarah Ruden, Petronius Satyricon, Hackett.

Recommended: John C. Traupman, Bantam New College Latin & English Dictionary, Banta

WEB RESOURCES

linked on the homepage for this class (http://www.macalester.edu/courses/clas231).

The Millionaire’s Dinner Party. Developed by Glenda Warren Carl of Southwestern University
http://www.southwestern.edu/~carlg/Latin_Web/balmeintro.html

Latin Grammar: Allen and Greenough
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?lookup=ag+gram.+toc

Guide to Online Latin Dictionaries
http://www.csbsju.edu/library/internet/latin.html

Resources on Petronius
http://www.chss.montclair.edu/classics/petron/PSNNOVEL.HTML

Latin word search on Perseus
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/resolveform

Search for English words in Latin Dictionaries/Perseus
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/enggreek?lang=la

Guide to Research in Classics
http://www.macalester.edu/library/research/discipline/Classicsguide.html

OUTLINE OF ASSIGNMENTS

Week Date Latin Topic English Readings
1 W 9/8 Introduction
F 9/10 Chapter 1 Relative clauses, direct questions, direct commands and prohibitions Read Preface and Introduction (pp. 3-4, 7-8) and Ruden Commentary #1.
2 M 9/13 Chapters 1+ 2 Read Ruden Commentary #2
W 9/15 Chapter 2 indirect commands, purpose clauses, and verbs of fearing; Read Ruden Commentary #3 and Satyricon §1-15;
F 9/17 Chapter 2 Read Ruden Commentary #4
3 M 9/20 QUIZ on chapters 1-2
Begin Chapter 3
W 9/22 Chapter 3 cum clauses and present participles Read Satyricon §16-26;
F 9/24 Chapter 3 Read Ruden Commentary #5
4 M 9/27 Chapter 4 perfect and future active participles Ruden Commentary #6;
W 9/29 Chapter 4 Read Ruden Commentary #10
F 10/1 QUIZ on chapters 3-4 Read Satyricon § 27-78
5 M 10/4 Chapter 5 Indirect Statement
W 10/6 Chapter 5 Read Ruden Commentary #7
F 10/8 Chapter 5
6 M 10/11 Chapter 6 Indirect Questions Read Satyricon § 79-99
W 10/13 Chapter 6 Review for Midterm
F 10/15 Chapter 6
7 M 10/18 MIDSEMESTER EXAM
W 10/20 Chapter 7
subjunctive and conditions Read Satyricon § 100-14
F 10/22 Chapter 7 Read Ruden Commentary #8
8 M 10/25 Chapters 7 and 8 Demonstration of article presentation in class.
W 10/27 Chapter 8
result clauses Finish Satyricon in English; read Ruden Commentary #9.
F 10/28 *********************** FALL BREAK ***********************
9 M 11/1 Chapter 8 conditionals and optatives *Student Presentation
W 11/3 QUIZ on chapters 7-8
F 11/5 Chapter 9 Gerunds and Impersonal Verbs *Student Presentation
10 M 11/8 Chapter 9 *Student Presentation
W 11/10 Chapter 9 and 10 *Student Presentation
F 11/12 Chapter 10 Gerundives and Deliberative Subjunctive *Student Presentation
11 M 11/15 Chapter 10 *Student Presentation
W 11/17 Chapter 11 Relative Purpose Clause *Student Presentation
F 11/19 Chapter 11 Quin and Special Case Uses *Student Presentation
12 M 11/22 QUIZ on Chapters 9-11 *Student Presentation
W 11/24 MOVIE viewing and Party
F 11/26 ****************** THANKSGIVING BREAK ******************
Weeks 13 14 and 15
Readings from Suetonius’ Nero (one quiz)
*Student Presentations

BOOKS ON RESERVE
2 hour reserve
Balme, M.G. The Millionaire’s Dinner Party. Oxford. 1974

48 hour reserve
Adams, J.N. The Latin Sexual Vocabulary. Johns Hopkins. 1990
Bradley, K.R. Slavery and Society at Rome. Cambridge. 1994
Clarke, J.R. Looking at Lovemaking. University of California. 1998
Clarke, M.L. Rhetoric at Rome. Routledge. 1996
Dixon, S. The Roman Family. MAC E-Book
Elsner and Masters, eds. .Reflections of Nero. University of North Carolina. 1994
Farrington, Benjamin. The Faith of Epicurus. Basic. 1967
Hagg, Tomas. The Novel in Antiquity. University of California. 1983
Joshel and Murnaghan, eds. Women and Slaves in Greco-Roman Culture. Routledge. 1998
Richlin, Amy. The Garden of Priapus. Yale University. 1983
Rist, J.M. The Stoics. University of California. 1978
Rose, Kenneth. The Date and Author of the Satyricon. Brill. 1971
Slater, W.J. ed. Dining in a Classical Context. University of Michigan. 1991
Walsh, P.G. The Roman Novel. Cambridge. 1970
Williams, Craig. Roman Homosexuality. Oxford. 1999