CLAS 2101 - An Introduction to Latin

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

The course introduces students to the rudiments of Latin grammar, syntax and vocabulary with a view to enabling them to read and comprehend (modified) texts in the original language. Students are required to complete a variety of language tasks including translation both into and from Latin and answering comprehension questions on passages in Latin. This course develops students' ability to identify and analyse fundamental grammatical constructions and improves their comprehension skills.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CLAS 2101
    Course An Introduction to Latin
    Coordinating Unit Classics, Archaeology and Ancient History
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
    Incompatible Not available to students who reached a satisfactory level of achievement in SACE Stage 2 Latin or equivalent or LATN 1002 or LATN 2010
    Assessment Three Semester tests 35%, end-of-Semester exam 65%, weekly language assignments (formative assessment only)
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Jacqueline Clarke

    Dr Jacqueline Clarke
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Demonstrate basic skills in Latin pronunciation and reading Latin aloud.
    2 Show knowledge and understanding of traditional grammatical concepts in English and apply them to Latin syntax and vocabulary.
    3 Demonstrate proficiency in analysing a variety of more complex grammatical constructions and appreciate the different ways in which Latin and English express complex ideas.
    4 Apply enhanced skills in comprehension and linguistic analysis to Latin texts to elicit understanding.
    5 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a basic Latin vocabulary of circa 400 words
    6 Display sensitivity to linguistic and cultural differences between the ancient Romans and modern society through an appreciation of how languages shape meaning.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    7

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    An Introductory Latin Course for University Students by C. De Heer (University of Western Australia 1997) [This needs to be ordered online via Uniprint at the University of Western Australia; see MyUni or email coordinator for further instructions.]
    Recommended Resources
    English Grammar for Students of Latin by Goldman  (Ann Arbor 3rd edition 2004)
    Online Learning
    Weekly class plans, copies of all sheets handed out in class and answers to the exercises completed will be available on MyUni.

    Most lectures are also recorded and placed on MyUni but students are advised that listening to them is no substitute for attendance. The whiteboard is also used extensively to diagram grammatical points and this material will not be on MyUni. Moreover, lecture recordings sometimes fail so students should not rely on them being available.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The modes of teaching and learning employed in this course are largely classroom based and face-to-face. The lectures consist mainly of grammatical instruction followed by an appropriate exercise which is done both in class and completed for homework.

    Most classes (lectures as well as tutorials) are interactive, with students being able to raise questions and concerns during the lesson and to make it clear when they do not understand a particular point to enable the lecturer to expand upon her explanation.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Type of workload Overall hours Average hours per week
    Lectures & tutorials 36 3
    Assignment preparation 72 6
    Learning inflections and vocabulary;
    preparatory reading
    24 2
    Revision 24 2
    Total 156 13
    Learning Activities Summary
    Please note that this programme is provisional and may be subject to change in accordance with the progress of students’ learning and ability to grasp concepts.
    Schedule
    Week 1 Latin alphabet and pronunciation; verbs and adverbs in English, Latin verbal concepts; present tense of 1st and 2nd conjugation verbs; irregular verbs sum and possum
    Week 2 Functions of nouns in English; nominative and accusative cases of 1st and 2nd declension nouns in Latin; functions of adjectives in English; 1st/2nd declension adjectives in Latin
    Week 3 Personal pronouns and interrogative pronouns in English and Latin; adverbs, prepositions and questions
    Week 4 Possessive and indirect object in English; genitive and dative cases for 1st and 2nd declension nouns; masculine nouns of the 1st declension; demonstrative pronouns in English and Latin
    Week 5 Vocative case in English and Latin; imperfect tense of 1st and 2nd conjugation verbs; ablative case in Latin; prepositions and paradigms
    Week 6 Variations in 2nd declension noun forms; present and imperfect tenses of
    3rd and 4th conjugation verbs; full paradigms of hic and ille; Interrogative pronouns and direct questions; full declension of adjectives; 
    Week 7 Principal parts of verbs; perfect tense in English and Latin; 3rd declension nouns;
    Week 8 Full declension of is, ea, id; third declension nouns; relative pronouns and clauses
    Week 9 Interrogative adjectives and numerals; future tense in English and Latin
    Week 10 Future perfect and pluperfect tenses in English and Latin; paradigm of tenses; infinitive in English and Latin; uses of infinitive; indirect statement in English and Latin
    Week 11 Indirect statement continued; English to Latin indirect statement
    Week 12 Revision; past exam papers
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment task Task type Weighting Course learning outcomes
    Test 1 Formative & summative 5% 1-4, 8
    Test 2 Formative & summative 10% 1-4, 8
    Test 3 Formative & summative 20% 1-6, 8
    Exam Summative 65% 1-6, 8

    Modified arrangements have been made to assessments and the details provided here reflect recent updates.
    1. Test 1 - now 10%
    2. Test 2 - now 15%
    3. Test 3 - now 35%
    4. Exam - now 40%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students are advised that regular attendance at classes and keeping up with the weekly exercises is essential for success in this course. It is largely in class that students receive feedback on the exercises that they do both in class and outside of it. Furthermore, the interactive nature of the classes and the extensive use of the whiteboard to demonstrate and discuss grammatical points and issues raised by students during the class make it impossible to fully reproduce these classes via lecture recordings.
    Assessment Detail
    Students will be encouraged to hand up one exercise per week. The exercises will be designed to cover a variety of skills e.g. translation from and into Latin and identification of verbal forms and particular constructions. These exercises are for formative assessment only; their purpose is to give an indication of how well grammatical points etc. have been grasped and the problem areas that need to be addressed. They will be assessed (i.e. commented upon) and handed back the following week as well as being reviewed in class.

    Three progressive tests will be held during the semester. They will assess a variety of language skills including understanding of grammar, verbal forms and translation both from and to Latin.

    The exam at the end of the semester will cover all the material of the course. It will assess translation from and to Latin and comprehension of a Latin passage.
    Submission
    The exercises for formative assessment will generally be assigned at the final lesson of each week and handed back the first lesson of the following week. As they are for formative assessment only, they do not require a coversheet. They are generally handed up in class although students may also be permitted to email them to the tutor.

    The tests will be held during the lectures (usually the final lecture of the week). Students who require alternative arrangements for tests (including sitting them at a later date) must notify staff before the due date (unless there are exceptional circumstances for not doing so) and must provide evidence that they have legitimate medical or compassionate grounds for their request.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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