Aeneas, Catullus, and the Meaning of Life

2013-2014 Latin IV Course Description, Goals and Expectations

Aeneas, Catullus, and the Meaning of Life

Dr. John Roth

Office in the Performing Arts Center

CLASS PAGE:

This page contains a calendar of what we shall be doing each day. You should check it daily for your assignments. You will also find a copy of the syllabus on the web page and important information about this course.

TEXTS:

EutropiusBreviarum (excerpts). NoDictionaries.com (online only)

Password: Maximus

You should create your own account and not change the class account.

Love and Betrayal: A Catullus Reader

A Song of War: Selections from Vergil’s Aeneid, Books 1-6

Vergil Workbook

Catullus Workbook

What we are doing this year

In Latin IV, we will reviewing some grammar and in the fall semester read selections from Eutropius’ Breviarum and Vergil’s Aeneid, a poetic masterpiece. We shall end the year with the wit, wisdom, and pathos of the first century BC poet, Catullus.

Expectations

I expect you to make a positive effort.

I expect you to seek help quickly if you are confused or are starting to fall behind.

I expect you to do your own work and abide by the school’s Honor Code. I expect you to abide by the “pledge” and to truthfully sign the pledge on all quizzes and tests.

You can expect that I always want you to do well and be successful in this class!

Grading

Your grade is composed of quizzes and tests.

Translations and vocabulary lists.
It is not necessary to write a written translation for each assignment. Be careful, however since you are used to doing this. A separate page for a vocabulary list will help you to re-read (during class, for example). At times, you will be allowed to use these lists during translation quizzes and tests.What is different this year is you can only bring in a maximum of 50 words on your list. An acceptable vocabulary list will follow the format used by your Vergil textbook and NoDictionaries.com. You can print your lists and use NoDictionaries.com to do this.

During class you should correct homework translations, take notes on literary and grammatical topics, as well as unfamiliar vocabulary. In class we will work together on reading and discussing the text. When you read in class, use your own vocabulary list to help you.

Homework

Daily. There will either be a translation or study for a quiz. A carefully prepared translation is the primary way for improving your Latin reading ability. The amount of time and effort that you put into the assignments will directly impact your success in Latin. This is an upper level course. If you choose not to do the homework on a regular basis, do not expect to do very well on the quizzes.

Quizzes

There will be regular announced quizzes. They comprise the majority of your grade. Some will be on vocabulary, others on the paradigms (charts) of nouns, verbs, adjectives, grammar, and translation. I will drop the lowest quiz grade at the end of each semester.

Tests and Exams

Tests are just quizzes over more material. Their purpose is to keep you familiar (i.e., get you to review) with what you have read earlier in the course. There will be a semester exam in December and a Final Exam in May.

What to do if you are absent

You will want to keep track of missed assignments. If you

miss class due to an appointment or a sporting event, you still need to prepare the assignment for the next day. If you are ill, I will work with you so you can catch up. I do expect that you will come to see me if you need support.

Keys to Success in Latin IV

Before beginning the next homework translation passage, briefly review what we read in the day’s class.

Daily, review the last class’s vocabulary words for a few minutes. Be sure you have them memorized by the quiz (Friday).

Weekly: Review the current vocabulary words and the week’s Latin passages. Be sure you have learned the words and understand the Latin you have read.

Virtuset Honor