Latin

LATIN COURSES

LATIN 1 Open to Grades 8-12 Credit: 1 This course serves as an introduction to the Latin language. By the end of the course, students will have a grounding in many of the inflections of Latin verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives and complex sentences, a vocabulary of some four hundred words and the ability to translate basic prose passages. The linguistic elements are the most important part of the course, but students also learn about a variety of distinctive institutions and customs of the Romans such as religion and funeral customs, roads/transportation, houses, meals, family, clothing, education, names, and the city of Rome. Students will also study the geography of ancient Rome, the foundation myth of Rome, Roman monarchy, the early heroes of Rome, and Greek and Roman mythology. Students will learn about the connections between Latin and English through the study of the etymology of English words and common Latin phrases and abbreviations still used in English.

LATIN 2 Open to Grades 9-12 Prerequisite: Completion of Latin 1 with a grade of C+ or better or departmental approval Credit: 1 In Latin 2, students will reinforce and add to their knowledge of Latin inflection and vocabulary. In particular, there will be an introduction to complex sentence structure, including many uses of the subjunctive. Students will practice grammatical drills, comprehension, and translation, and will begin to read sections from Caesar, Cicero and Catullus. Students will learn about the cultural and political contexts of the prescribed literature. Cultural and historical material includes the Roman Republic, government offices, Punic Wars, chariot races, gladiatorial games, baths, theater, and the calendar.

HONORS LATIN 2 Open to Grades 9-12 Prerequisite: Completion of Latin 1 with an A- or better and departmental approval Credit: 1 This course covers the same content as Latin 2 at a pace and depth that is greater and more challenging for our top Latin students at this level.

LATIN 3 Open to Grades 9-12 Prerequisite: Completion of Latin 2 and departmental approval Credit: 1 Students will continue a review and practice of the grammar and vocabulary covered in Latin 1 and 2. Students will cover material that will make their knowledge of Latin grammar almost complete. At this level, students also begin to translate selections from Latin authors in the original language. We will read selections from Caesar, Virgil and Cicero. In addition to the translation of the material, students examine the meter and literary style of the works, and their cultural and historical setting, including a study of the Late Republic and the early Empire.

HONORS LATIN 3 Open to Grades 9-12 Prerequisite: Completion of Latin 2 with an A- or better and departmental approval Credit: 1 This course covers the same content as Latin 3 at a pace and depth that is greater and more challenging for our top Latin students at this level.

ADVANCED LATIN: PLAUTUS AND TERENCE: ROMAN COMEDY Open to Grades 9-12 Prerequisite: Departmental approval Credit: 1 Students will read excerpts from the plays of Plautus and Terence. In addition to analyzing and interpreting these plays, students will also explore the development of Roman comedy and its influences on later writers. Students produce a piece of art or literature which reflects the style, subject and influences of the original works.

ADVANCED LATIN: CATULLUS, OVID AND VIRGIL: THE LASTING INFLUENCE OF MYTHOLOGY IN ART AND LITERATURE Open to Grades 9-12 Prerequisite: Departmental approval Credit: 1 Students will read myths by Catullus, Ovid, and Vergil. In addition to analyzing and interpreting these works, students will also explore how this relates to contemporary art and literature. Students produce a piece of art or literature which reflects the style, subject and influences of the original works.

ADVANCED LATIN: VIRGIL’S AENEID Open to Grades 9-12 Prerequisite: Departmental approval Credit: 1 Students will read and interpret Virgil’s Aeneid in this course. This story of Aeneas’ wanderings from Troy to Italy contains an exquisite combination of mythology and current events that has thrilled students from the moment it was written. Students will explore themes of leadership, fate and family and will examine the beauty of this epic poem through a study of the meter, word order, poetic device and vocabulary. Students will also delve into the the politics