LATIN PRE-AP SYLLABUS

Syllabus 2023-2024

Instructor: Steven Ross

Room 335

Web Page access: schoology.com and rabbitsforlatin.com

Office hours: Periods three and six

Phone: 354 –6800 ex.3301

Course Description: This course is designed as the first part of a two-year advanced sequence and is geared to those students who have thoroughly mastered Latin morphology and grammar. Students read large selections of those authors and works from the AP syllabi, such as Caesar, Horace, and Vergil and students focus on the politico-historical environment of the 1st century BC. This course introduces the students to detailed methods of critical analysis of Latin literature. Additionally, the students learn how the historical setting of these authors helps in literary interpretation. Prerequisite: Latin III Credit: 1

Objectives:

to read, translate and interpret large selections ofLatin authors, both prose and poetry with particular emphasis given to author of the late Republic and Augustan Age.
to develop the skills to write paragraphs of Latin prose that involve complex grammar
to learn the skills necessary to provide critical in-depth analysis of Latin authors
to comprehend the political and social issues of late Republican Rome that led to the Roman Revolution.
to develop a greater understanding of the Latin language through continued study of advanced grammar
to comprehended the various schools of Greek philosophy as represented in the works of Cicero
to learn and apply various Latin poetic meters
to write interpretive essays on a variety of Latin authors
to write analytical commentaries on selected passages of Latin authors
to develop an understanding of cultural and historical similarities and difference between the Roman world and the United States.

Topics: The Roman Revolution; The Gracchi; Roman Historians; Roman Rhetoric; Roman Political Philosophy; Cicero, The Augustan Principate; Vergil’s Aeneid, Latin, Grammar; Classical Mythology; Roman History; Roman Literature; Figures of Speech.

Assignments and Assessments:

A total point system will be used to determine grades. A student’s grade will be comprised of the following:

Daily in Class Reading of Latin Authors: The majority of each classes is devoted to reading and orally translating Latin into English at the rate of approximately 60-80 lines of Latin per week. The goal is to read the text carefully, understand all grammatical constructions and the precise meaning of all vocabulary in context, provide a literal translation that is sensitive to the Latin syntax, be aware of a representative selection of figures of speech, and provide basic literary analysis in the form of oral discussion. Preparation of the assigned Latin text for class and oral translation and discussion form a significant portion of a student’s grade. This grade will measure a student’s preparation for class, fluency in Latin, and ability to apply skills of literary analysis. Students are not permitted to use or refer to prepared translations during daily readings (100-200 points per quarter).

Sight Tests: Pre-AP students will be assessed periodically on their ability to read, translate and interpret selections from a variety of classical Latin authors (prose and poetry) at sight.

Oral Reading of Latin: Each day in class prior to translation/reading and discussion individual students are required to read aloud and orally in Latin the assigned passages. Students are expected to observe correct pronunciation, prose rhythm of Latin poetry. Each quarter students are required to submit a recording of them reading aloud selections of Latin authors. These oral readings are also designed to highlight figures of speech such as alliteration, consonance, homoioteleuton, as well as metrics.

Quizzes: There will be at least one short quiz per week (approx. 50 points) which are designed to assess knowledge of preassigned vocabulary, derivatives, linguistic terms, historical background andpreparation for class. Some of these quizzes may be unannounced. Do your homework and review previously read material! A quiz missed due to an unexcused absence may not be made up. It is the responsibility of the student to reschedule a quiz missed due to an excused absence.

Essays and Commentaries: Students write commentaries and formal essays on selected topics concerning individual Latin authors. These assignments must not only demonstrate a student’s comprehension of Latin but also provide literary analysis that is sensitive to metrics, figures of speech, diction and phonetics (100-200 points).

Tests: There will be a comprehensive test approximately every four weeks (value 100 points).

Exams: There will be a cumulative exam at the end of each semester. It will count 10% of the semester grade.

Grading Scale:

100-95 A+ 74-70 C

94-90 A 69-65 D+

89-85 B+ 64-60 D

84-80 B 59-0 F

79-75 C+

Texts: Palma, Roland and Perry, David. Ecce Romani III. Prentice Hall 2009.

Cicero, Pro Caelio.

Other materials and Latin text provided by the instructor

Materials: Each student should have a number of pencils and at least one large 3 ringed binder to hold handouts and notes. Access to the internet is crucial.

Classroom Expectations/Rules: It is expected that students will behave like little saints at all times. Technological devices, such as phones or computers, may only be used in the classroom with the instructor’s permission.

Make-up Policy: See Student Handbook.

Student’s Signature __________________________________________________

Parent’s Signature ____________________________________________________