READINGS IN LATIN II – Spring 2006
Course Description & Requirements

Prof. Bill Ziobro
MTTh 8:00 AM
Office Fenwick 427
Ext. 2619
E-mail:  wziobro@holycross.edu
See also: http://www.holycross.edu/departments/classics/wziobro/ClassicalAmerica/
Office Hours: see posted schedule and
By appointment

Course Description and Requirments

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

"Readings in Latin " is a two-semester course which is taught at the post-intermediate
level. The primary objective of the course is to provide the student with the opportunity
to do extensive textual work in order to improve grammar skills and vocabulary
acquisition. The traditional format by means of which these objectives are accomplished
is through the chronological study of text passages selected from the more commonplace
Latin authors. This traditional approach is modified, to a certain extent, in this year’s
offering of "Readings in Latin" in that, although many of the same Latin authors read
in a course of the traditional format will be studied, they will be examined in this course
from the perspective of how the Latin language was studied in early America and how the
Latin language was a "living language" in 18th century America. Such traditional authors
as Terence, Virgil, Ovid, Juvenal, Horace,  Livy, Caesar, Cicero, and Tacitus will be read,
but there also will be read Phaedrus, Sallust, Erasmus, the Latin of Thomas Jefferson, as
well as selections from a nineteenth century Life of George Washington, written entirely in
Latin.  The secondary aim of this course is, therefore, the appreciation of the Roman literary
and historical traditions as a vital part of the intellectual heritage of early America. 2. Syllabus:

           A. Textbook:

    The textbook for this course will be a working copy of the instructor’s book Latin in Early
    America.  The two volume textbook may be purchased for a nominal charge in the College
    Bookstore. Volume I will be used throughout the Fall semester and continue to be used into
    the Spring semester. An electronic copy of the textbook is also available at
    http://www.holycross.edu/departments/classics/wziobro/ClassicalAmerica/LtinEAmHP.htm.
    In addition, excerpts from Francis Glass' 19th century Life of George Washington, written in
    Latin, will be used in the Spring semester.

    It is strongly recommended that each student possess a good Latin dictionary and an
    advanced Latin grammar (Greenough's Latin Grammar) available for purchase in the
    College Bookstore.

       
    B. Translation and Assignments:
         The goal of the Fall semester is to translate between 1,00 and 1,500 lines of text.
         Students should expect to prepare approximately 50-75+ lines of text per class at the
         beginning of the semester, and 100  lines of text at the end of the semester. The
         amount of text preparation will be increased or decreased, at the discretion of the
         instructor, on the basis of the average translating ability of the class, or upon the
         degree of difficulty of the assignment.  Individual assignments will be made on a
         weekly basis.

3. Grading:

First in-semester examination: Week of Feb. 20-24                     25% of final grade
Second in-semester examination: Week of April 3-7                    30% of final grade
Class Recitation: graded on scale of 1-5  =                                     5% of final grade
Report: short oral and/or written report on assigned topic =          5% of final grade
Final Examination =                                                                         35% of final grade

Grade Equivalents:

100-95 = A                       75-72 =  C
94-91  =  A-                      71-69 =  C-
90-87 =   B+                     68-65 =  D+
86-83 =   B                       64-60 =  D
82-80=    B-
79-76 =  C+

Less than 60 = F

 4. Attendance: Voluntary; however, excessive absenteeism will be reflected in the class recitation grade.
Any absence from an examination or any missed due date must be authorized by your
class dean. 5. Statement on Academic Honesty:

           Any and all acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., cheating, plagiarism, etc.) will result
           in a grade of "F" for the assignment and written notification to your class dean. All
           students are expected to be familiar with the definition and penalties associated
           with violations of academic dishonesty as they are described in the Holy Cross
           College Student Handbook.

January 19, 2006