Latin 306: Caesar’s Gallic Wars

Spring 2017

MWF 9-9:50; BOL 281

Instructor: Dr. D. Wesolowski

Office: Curtin TBA

Email:

Office hours: TBA

Objectives:

In this course we will be reading the first book Caesar’s de Bello Gallico, as well as the full text in translation. In addition to basic grammar and syntax work, we will be learning about grammatical and rhetorical devices found in Caesar’s commentary on the war. The goal of this course is to familiarize students with the Latin text itself, the context in which Caesar is writing and the political milieu of the time, and larger issues of characterization and authorial voice.

Required books:

  1. Caesar: de Bello Gallico I edited by Colin Ewan. Bristol Classical Press. 1992. (ISBN 978-0862921774)
  2. Caesar: The Gallic War, translated by Carolyn Hammond. Oxford University Press, 2008. ISBN 978-0-19-954026-6
  3. New Latin Grammar by Charles Bennett. Bolchazy-Carducci. 2013. (ISBN 978-1463688943)
  4. Cassell’s Standard Latin Dictionary. 1977. (ISBN 978-0025225800)

Course grade components:

Homework: 20% of course grade

Each night there will be translation homework assigned. To prepare for class, you should read the Latin to yourself and figure out which words you do not know. Those words should be kept in a running vocabulary list in a notebook. You should also look at the back of the blue book for the commentary on the text to learn more about the passage. There will be more grammatical help keyed to Bennett’s New Latin Grammar to help you understand the grammar. It is very important not to write in your text; keep it clean so you can force yourself to read the Latin again while studying for quizzes and exams. Keep looking over your vocabulary lists to learn the new words and review ones you’ve forgotten.

In addition to nightly translation homework there will be D2L grammar review work and assignments linked to English readings. Unless otherwise announced, homework is due the following course meeting. Late assignments are not accepted.

Quizzes: 15%

There will be short bi-weekly quizzes on the material covered to continually review the translation work in class. There are no make-up quizzes.

Participation: 20%

Preparation and participation is expected at every class meeting. If there is lecture material given, you are expected to take notes and also know that material for quizzes, homework assignments, and exams. You are allowed two free absences, after which your participation score will be lowered incrementally. Not being prepared will also negatively affect your grade.

50% of your participation grade will be based on your performance as a reading leader for one day. Beginning the third week of class, there will be a “reading leader” for the Wednesday meeting of class. Each student will be a leader twice during the semester. On your leader day, you will give a brief overview of the material that is covered in your section, and then you will lead the class through the translation. As the reading leader, you will be responsible for knowing all of the grammar, vocabulary, and the translation of that day’s assignment. Reading leader assignments will begin in week 3, and will be continue until all students have participated twice.

Exams: 40% of course grade. Midterm 20%, Final Exam 20%

The exams will not be cumulative for translations, but will be for overall content of Caesar’s text. Exams cannot be made up. Exceptions will be made in cases of extreme emergency, which must be properly documented. If an emergency does arise, you must contact me within 24 hours of the exam date. After 24 hours, no exceptions will be made.

Other information:

Academic Misconduct: Everything that you do in this class for a grade should be your work alone. This includes all work on examinations, quizzes, and graded written homework. Any work that appears not to be your own will receive a zero. Two violations will result in a failing grade for the course in accordance with “Group B” Sanctions. (See the website below for details.)

It is your responsibility to inform yourself of the University guidelines for Academic Misconduct. For University policy on Academic Misconduct, including procedures that I must follow should a student violate the rules, see the following web page:

http://www4.uwm.edu/acad_aff/policy/academicmisconduct.cfm

Additional Policies: For policies regarding participation by students with disabilities, accommodation for religious observances, academic misconduct, complaint procedures, grade appeal procedures, sexual harassment, and incompletes, please see the Classics bulletin board outside the offices of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, eighth floor, Curtin Hall. If you are registered with ARC for special accommodations, please see the instructor as soon as possible.

As per the university regulations, for a 3 credit course you should anticipate 144 hours of work for the semester. For this course, this should translate roughly to:

2-75 minute class meetings a week plus the final (39.5hours a semester)

6 hours a week of reading preparation/homework (90 hours)

1 extra hour to prepare for being a reading leader. (1 hour)

13.5 hours to study and review for quizzes and exams.

Course Schedule: subject to change

Week / Date / Topic and Reading / Homework
Week 1 / Monday / 1/23 / Introduction; Explanation of course goals / Read introductions
Wednesday / 1/25 / Biography discussion / Section 1
Friday / 1/27 / Section 1
Week 2 / Monday / 1/30 / Reading
Wednesday / 2/1 / Reading
Friday / 2/3 / Reading
Week 3 / Monday / 2/6 / Reading
Wednesday / 2/8 / Reading; Leader:
Friday / 2/10 / Reading
Week 4 / Monday / 2/13 / Reading / Book 1 Worksheet due
Wednesday / 2/15 / Reading; Leader:
Friday / 2/17 / Quiz 1; Reading
Week 5 / Monday / 2/20 / Reading / Book 2 Worksheet due
Wednesday / 2/22 / Reading; Leader:
Friday / 2/24 / Reading
Week 6 / Monday / 2/27 / Reading / Book 3 Worksheet due
Wednesday / 3/1 / Reading; Leader:
Friday / 3/3 / Quiz 2; Reading
Week 7 / Monday / 3/6 / Reading / Book 4 Worksheet due
Wednesday / 3/8 / Reading; Leader:
Friday / 3/10 / Reading
Week 8 / Monday / 3/13 / Reading
Wednesday / 3/15 / Reading
Friday / 3/17 / Midterm Exam
Week 9 / Monday / 3/20 / Spring Break
Wednesday / 3/22
Friday / 3/24
Week / Date / Topic and Reading / Homework
Week 10 / Monday / 3/27 / Reading / Book 5 Worksheet due
Wednesday / 3/29 / Reading; Leader:
Friday / 3/31 / Reading
Week 11 / Monday / 4/3 / Reading / Book 6 Worksheet due
Wednesday / 4/5 / Reading; Leader:
Friday / 4/7 / Quiz 3; Reading
Week 12 / Monday / 4/10 / Reading / Book 7 Worksheet due
Wednesday / 4/12 / Reading; Leader:
Friday / 4/14 / Reading
Week 13 / Monday / 4/17 / Reading / Book 8 Worksheet due
Wednesday / 4/19 / Reading; Leader:
Friday / 4/21 / Quiz 4; Reading
Week 14 / Monday / 4/24 / Reading
Wednesday / 4/26 / Reading; Leader:
Friday / 4/28 / Reading
Week 15 / Monday / 5/1 / Reading
Wednesday / 5/3 / Reading
Friday / 5/5 / Quiz 5; Reading
Week 16 / Monday / 5/8 / Reading
Wednesday / 5/10 / Reading
Final Exam Wednesday May 17, 2017, 10am-12pm

For all Classics Majors and Minors: All students enrolled as majors or minors in a Classics concentration (Latin, Greek, and Classical Civilization), as well as those who would like to enroll as majors or minors, should contact the Program Coordinator, Dr. Kevin Muse as soon as possible.

Certificate Program in Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS)

UWM offers a number of interdisciplinary certificates that students can earn in addition to the usual majors and minors. The Certificate Program in Ancient Mediterranean Studies (CAMS) is designed to encourage students to pursue a serious interest in the ancient Mediterranean world in a structured way. A variety of disciplines are concerned with reconstructing various aspects of ancient civilizations, including linguistics, history, archaeology, art history, anthropology, philosophy, and literary studies. Latin 306 counts toward fulfilling requirements of the CAMS certificate. For more information on the CAMS program, including course requirements, faculty, and upcoming events, check our website: http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/CAMS/index.html