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Start Date
10 October, 2024
There will be 8 weekly meetings on Thursday, 6 - 8pm, starting from 10 October.
Overview
The Latin I short course is an ideal way acquire the fundamental building blocks of Latin grammar while gaining an appreciation for important aspects of Roman culture and society. Latin is the foundation of the five Romance languages, including Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Romanian, and has served as the historical lingua franca of Western Civilization. Moreover, Latin provides the root words for many scientific disciplines such as biology, chemistry, logic, and law, making it as relevant as any modern language.
By beginning to understand the rich grammar system of Latin through this course, you will develop skills in attention to detail and critical thinking. No previous knowledge of Latin is required to enrol in this course, making it accessible to students of all levels.
Syllabus
Week 1:
An introduction to Latin language, its history and structure. Brief outline of resources which will be used in the module. Pronunciation of Latin – including difference between the classical and ecclesiastical varieties. Spoken Latin: Choosing a Latin name, dialogue with simple greeting and farewell, formulae for beginning and ending letters. Basic classroom instructions in Latin.
CLC Stage 1: Pompeii and Caecilius’ family.
Grammar: Nominative and 3rd. pers. sing. Verbs; syntax of SUM sentences.
Week 2:
CLC Stage 1: reading passage (Cerberus). Culture focus: a Roman house. Questions with quis and quid. CLC Stage 2: Reading passages (mercātor; in tricliniō).
Grammar: Introduction to cases: nominative and accusative singular of masculine and feminine 1st, 2nd and 3rd declension nouns. SOV structure.
Week 3:
CLC Stage 2: Grammar exercise and reading passage amīcus.
Cultural background: daily life in a Roman town.
CLC Stage 3: reading passages in forō; pictor; tōnsor [translation and comprehension exercise].
Grammar: Nominative and accusative singular. Sentence pattern NOMINATIVE + ACCUSATIVE + VERB (SOV).
Week 4:
Vocabulary quiz for stages 1, 2, and 3.
CLC Stage 3: Reading passage vēnālicius. Practice with nominative and accusative endings [language consolidation].
Cultural background: the town of Pompeii.
CLC Stage 4: reading passages Hermogenēs; in basilicā.
Grammar: 1st and 2nd person singular present, including sum, es. The pronouns ego and tu.
Week 5:
CLC Stage 4: Reading passage: Grumiō et leō.
CLC Stage 5: Reading passage: āctōrēs.
Cultural background: Roman Theatre.
Grammar: Nominative plural of 1st, 2nd and 3rd declension nouns, 3rd. person plural verbs. Brief introduction to the six cases and to the four verb conjugations with (Ppt LATIN NOUNS; ppt LATIN VERB).
Week 6:
CLC Stage 5: Reading passage Poppaea.
Grammar revision: LATIN NOUNS and LATIN VERBS (nominative singular and plural, accusative singular of declensions 1, 2, 3; singular present indicative and 3rd. person plural). Practising the language (CLC I, p. 63).
CLC Stage 6: Translation of in theātrō. Reading passage pugna; Fēlīx [comprehension exercise].
Grammar: The Imperfect and Perfect tenses.
Week 7:
CLC Stage 6: Reading passages Fēlīx et fūr; avārus.
Grammar: The Imperfect and Perfect tenses. Imperfect of SUM: erat and erant.
Cultural background: Slaves and freedmen.
Week 8:
Class Mock Test: grammar and vocabulary.
Grammar and vocabulary big revision.
Cultural Background Booklet and hands-on activity.
Please note that the ‘last date available to book’ date is only a guide. We reserve the right to close bookings earlier if courses are over- or under-subscribed. In order to avoid disappointment, please be sure enrol as soon as possible. Registrations will not be processed until the following day if received after 3pm.
Course Lecturer: Dr Guen Taietti
Dr Guen Taietti is an Italian Classicist based in Greece with an interest in Alexander the Great, Macedonian History, and in the study of Animals in Antiquity. Guen has worked as a Classics teacher both in schools and at University level in Italy, Greece, the UK, and China; currently she is participating in a research project on the Alexander-Romance at the University of Haifa. Alongside her research, she is enthusiastic about making Classics more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience, travelling, and learning new languages and cultures. In her free time, she is an amateur runner and is committed to the protection of the environment and animals.
Courses fees: Full fee £125/Concession £65.
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