SYLLABUS
LATIN 101 - 102 Section 2 2006 - 2007
M·TU·W· F 9:00 am - 9:50 a.m. Wallace Hall 112
Virginia K. Hellenga, Instructor
Lecturer in Classics
Department of Classics
Monmouth College
E-mail virginiamay@monm.edu
Galesburg home 309 343-8957
Home in woods 309 734-8758
Office phone 309 457-2332
Elementary Latin
A background in Latin is a great benefit to the study of English, the sciences, medicine, law, and many other professional fields, and certainly expands your English vocabulary and improves your comprehension and use of English grammar. Your work in Latin will help you in writing papers, studying, and expressing yourself beautifully.
The aim of Latin 101 - 102 is to learn basic reading and writing skills in Latin as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. At the end of two terms of Elementary Latin, a student should know the fundamentals of Latin grammar, have a basic Latin vocabulary, and be able to read a Latin text with the help of a dictionary. Speaking and listening skills in Latin will be encouraged in order to assist the development of reading and writing Latin.
These courses are primarily directed towards students desiring to meet the requirements for graduation under the foreign language component of the Monmouth College General Education requirements. Elementary Latin can also fulfill partial requirements for a major in Latin or Classics.
The Monmouth College catalogue gives the following description of courses that meet the Language requirement:
The creation and use of language is the most significant achievement of human beings, for our ability to organize our understanding in verbal symbols and to communicate sets us apart from all other life forms. The symbols of our language make possible at many different levels of meaning and allow us to translate our private experience into universal terms.... A sure understanding of language is the foundation of all knowledge, and the ability to use verbal symbols effectively is the most important of all skills.
This component provides that every student have experience with a second language. The study of a foreign language allows students to see that their native language often reflects cultural needs and interests at the same time that it shares many basic patterns with other languages.
Texts for Latin 101 - 102:
WHEELOCK’S LATIN (6th Edition), Frederic M. Wheelock
Richard A. LaFleur, Revision Editor
harpercollins college outline, HarperPerennial (NY, 2000)
38 LATIN STORIES Designed to Accompany Frederic M. Wheelock’s Latin
Anne H. Groton and James M. May
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc. (Wauconda, IL, 1986)
COMPUTER EXERCISES
Centaur Systems Latina 4.0 CD, Latin Flash Drill Modules, Latin Vocab Drill Modules
TRAUPMAN NEW COLLEGE LATIN & ENGLISH DICTIONARY, Revised
John Traupman, (Bantam, 1995)
Instructor:
Virginia Hellenga, Lecturer in Classics
115 A Wallace Hall, office next to Capron Room (WH115)
Office Hours:
Monday, 10:00 am - 10:30 am,
Tuesday, 10:00 - 10:50 am,
Wednesday, 10:00 am - 10:30 am,
when I am in my office, or by appointment
Tutoring:
Latin tutors will be available several hours a week to help students individually
with class assignments. Working with the tutors also does them a favor, because it gives them the opportunity to explain concepts clearly, as well as review basics of Latin.
Class Goals and Format:
Class meets on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. in Wallace Hall 112.
There will be daily assignments from the textbooks. In addition, there will be a number of supplementary readings in Latin, as well as music, videos, Latin songs, Latin games, and simple conversational Latin.
For most students, Elementary Latin is a two-semester experience. You will not really have a full sense of the Latin language until the end of second semester.
Summary of Grading:
Class Participation 10%
Essential Idea Exercises and Quizzes 30%
Homework 20%
Tests (including final) 40%
Requirements:
I. Participation (10%) and attendance policy
Learning another language is a lot easier in a group, but only if everyone in the group is working together. This kind of course requires daily attention. You cannot study only before tests and quizzes. You must attend class faithfully and be prepared every day. Attendance at all meetings of the class is required.
Each student is permitted three unexcused absences during the semester. A student with more than THREE unexcused absences will drop one grade point on the final semester grade for each unexcused absence over three.
("Sleeping in" or "the alarm not going off" are not excuses.)
Active participation by all students in the class is very important. You are expected to ask questions, volunteer answers, and actively participate in class.
You will have the opportunity to act out some of the stories you translate, using your sense of fun, creativity and imagination in entertaining and relaxed class presentations in Latin.
Class participation will count 10% of the final grade.
II. Essential Idea Exercises and Quizzes (30%)
Each class begins with an Essential Idea Exercise or Quiz based on current assignments. There are no make-ups on Essential Idea Exercises or Quizzes unless you present a written excuse from your doctor..
If you take all of the Essential Idea Exercises and Quizzes, you will be exempted from taking the last test before the final exam.
Essential Idea Exercise and Quiz average will be 30% of the final grade.
III. Homework (20%)
Written homework will be assigned daily. Creative projects [Art, Creative Writing, etc.] will be counted in the homework grade.
Homework will count 20% of the final grade.
IV. Tests (40%)
There will be at least six major tests. The dates for these tests will be announced in class at least one week in advance. These tests will demonstrate your understanding of the grammar and assignments. There are no make-ups on tests unless you present a written excuse from your doctor.
The average of these tests, including the final exam, will be 40% of the final grade.
V. Extra Credit
There will be several opportunities to gain extra credit in this class, including writing response papers after attending Classics Department and Archeological Lectures during the semester.
VI. Summary of Grading
The goal is for all students to perform at their optimal level. The grading system is designed to give each student maximum control of the final grade earned. The focus of all assignments, quizzes and tests is not grading but learning.
The starting point for the final course grade is the average of all the exams. Students will be encouraged to correct their exams, essential idea exercises and quizzes for half credit on points lost.
A low exam average can be raised by successful completion of homework assignments and essential idea exercises which are administered in class on a daily basis. Students can correct and resubmit homework assignments for a higher grade and can improve their performance on these essential ideas exercises by retaking the exercises before or after class. If the average of the grades on these homework assignments and "essential idea" exercises is higher than the exam grade average, the final grade will be adjusted up accordingly. A student with a passing average for homework and essential idea exercises is guaranteed a passing grade in the course (no matter the exam grade average).
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FINAL EXAMS
Latin 101 Final Exam is on Monday, December 18, 2006, at 8:00 am
Latin 102 Final Exam is on Monday, May 14, 2007, at 1:00 pm
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Honesty and Plagiarism:
Students are encouraged to do their homework together. All other class work, especially quizzes and tests, must be the student’s own work. Plagiarism, i.e., copying someone else’s work without giving credit, is to be avoided. Such copying—from a book, another classmate’s paper, or any other source—is dishonest. Any student submitting plagiarized work will receive a failing grade for that assignment. If two papers with identical or nearly identical work are submitted by different students, both papers will receive a failing grade.
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Caveat: This syllabus is subject to revision by the instructor, provided that written or verbal notice is given in class.
August 26, 2006