LATN 200/300/400-2 Directed Readings: Lucretius
Fall, 2002
Department of Classics
Monmouth College
The general aim of this course is to improve your Latin reading and comprehension skills and to expose you to a variety of texts in Latin. The specific goal of the course this semester is to read selections from :Lucretius' De Rerum Natura..
Class will meet about 50 minutes per week. During this time we will translate, discuss and interpret the assigned readings. You are expected to come prepared to every class. Preparation means review of the reading from last class and work on the reading for the next class.
Your course grade will be based upon your daily class performance and upon an ORAL final examination. You can request a verbal evaluation of your performance at any time during the term. In general, you will be graded in this course based upon the "3 P's" of PREPARATION, PARTICIPATION, and PROGRESS.
TEXTBOOK:
Lucretius:
Selections from De rerum naturaIt is highly recommended that students also have their own Latin dictionaries, a Latin reference grammar and an English translation of Lucretius.
Standing offer for extra credit: If you submit a 250-word review of this book to www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com and send the link to the instructor, you will get extra credit in this course. This offer expires two weeks before the end of the semester.
About the instructor / Lucretius Links / Some Useful Websites on the Latin language
A word on academic honesty: You are encouraged to work with other members of the class. However, please do not try to recite another's translation. This is a form of plagiarism (copying someone else's work without giving credit) which is both dishonest and ineffective for your goal of learning Latin. 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.
Caveat: This syllabus is subject to revision by the instructor, provided that written or verbal notice is given in class.
This webpage was prepared by Professor Thomas J. Sienkewicz of Monmouth College. If you have any questions, you can contact him at toms@monm.edu.