COURSE LATI E-1B: LATIN FOR BEGINNERS SPRING 2016

SYLLABUS

COURSE INFORMATION

Meeting Time: Mondays, 5:30-7:30 pm

Location: Sever Hall 209
Instructor: Dr. Sarah McCallum (smccallum@fas.harvard.edu)
Office hours: Mondays, 4:00-5:00pm in 234 Boylston Hall (or by appointment)
Prerequisite: LATI E-1a or the equivalent

TEXTS (AVAILABLE FROM THE HARVARD COOP BOOKSTORE)

REQUIRED
1. Wheelock, Frederic M. and Richard A. LaFleur. 2011. Wheelock’s Latin. Harper Collins.
2. LaFleur, Richard A. 2010. Scribblers, Sculptors, and Scribes: A Companion to
Wheelock's Latin and Other Introductory Textbooks. Harper Collins.
RECOMMENDED
3. Goldman, Norma W. 2004. English Grammar for Students of Latin. The Olivia and Hill Press.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course, a continuation of LATI E-1a, is intended for students who wish to study classical
Latin, the language of the ancient Romans, a language of great cultural, historical, and practical
importance to speakers and writers of English and many other languages. We learn the other
moods of the verb and translate sentences containing constructions that are more complex.

Students taking this course will continue to build a strong foundation for future Latin study by
developing crucial language skills. In addition to learning further fundamentals of grammar and
syntax, students will hone their skills in reading and translation, pronunciation, and vocabulary
acquisition. By the end of this course, students will be reading complex sentences and longer
continuous passages of Latin, and will have the essential skills required to advance to the next
level of study.

HOMEWORK AND CLASS PREPARATION

Mastering a new language requires a work commitment of several hours each week. When
learning Latin, your best strategy is to opt for frequent, shorter study sessions, rather than trying
to learn everything in one long session. Through regular, dedicated work you can expect
substantial rewards as your reading skills improve and you progress towards reading authentic
Latin texts. You will be expected to read the assigned sections in the textbook prior to each
class meeting, and come to class prepared to ask and answer specific questions about the
material. Remember: in language acquisition, every new concept builds on what you have
already learned, so it is essential to master what is covered each and every week. Class time will
be devoted to drills, readings, and/or regular quizzes, all of which will be discussed as time
permits.
ATTENDANCE AND CONFLICTS

Regular attendance is essential to your success in this fast-paced and demanding course. You are
expected to make every effort to attend all class meetings; repeated absences will adversely
affect the Attendance and Daily Participation component of the final grade.

In case of religious observance that conflicts with a quiz or midterm, you must notify the
instructor no later than two weeks in advance to reschedule the assessment. Make-up quizzes and
exams will be granted only in extenuating circumstances, such as illness or personal emergency.
If you miss a quiz without notifying the instructor in advance of extenuating circumstances, you
will not normally be allowed to take it later and will receive a grade of 0. If you miss the
midterm without notifying the instructor in advance of extenuating circumstances, you may
arrange to take it within 48 hours, but your grade on the midterm will be reduced by two-thirds
of a letter grade (e.g., from A- to B or from B to C+).

The instructor does not have the authority to reschedule the final exam. If you miss the final
exam, you will be assigned a failing grade according to Extension School policy. In the case of
religious conflict, serious illness, or other compelling emergency, you may appeal for a make-up
final exam by submitting the required form and documentation to the Extension School. For
more information, please see http://www.extension.harvard.edu/exams-grades-
policies/exams#makeup.

ACCOMMODATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

The Extension School is committed to providing an accessible academic community. The

Disability Services Office offers a variety of accommodations and services to students with
documented disabilities. Please visit www.extension.harvard.edu/resources-
policies/resources/disability-services-accessibility for more information.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

You are responsible for understanding Harvard Extension School policies on academic integrity
(www.extension.harvard.edu/resources-policies/student-conduct/academic-integrity) and how to
use sources responsibly. Not knowing the rules, misunderstanding the rules, running out of time,
submitting “the wrong draft,” or being overwhelmed with multiple demands are not acceptable
excuses. There are no excuses for failure to uphold academic integrity. To support your learning
about academic citation rules, please visit the Harvard Extension School Tips to Avoid
Plagiarism (www.extension.harvard.edu/resources-policies/resources/tips-avoid-plagiarism),
where you'll find links to the Harvard Guide to Using Sources and two, free, online 15-minute
tutorials to test your knowledge of academic citation policy. The tutorials are anonymous open-
learning tools.

OFFICE HOURS

If at any point you would benefit from extra assistance, I strongly encourage you to make use of
my regular office hours. Please email me if you need to make an appointment outside of my
regular office hours.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATION

Attendance and Daily Participation 15%

Weekly Quizzes (11) 20%
• Single lowest grade out of 11 will be dropped
Midterm Tests (2) 40%
Final Exam 25%

COURSE SCHEDULE

January 25 Chapters 22 and 23 – Quiz #1 and exercises

February 1 Chapters 24 and 25 – Quiz #2 and exercises

February 8 Chapters 26 and 27 – Quiz #3 and exercises

February 15 PRESIDENT’S DAY – no class

February 22 FIRST MIDTERM TEST

February 29 Chapter 28 – Quiz #4 and exercises

March 7 Chapter 29 – Quiz #5 and exercises

March 14 SPRING BREAK – no class

March 21 Chapter 30 – Quiz #6 and exercises

March 28 Chapters 31 and 32 – Quiz #7 and exercises

April 4 SECOND MIDTERM TEST

April 11 Chapters 33 and 34 – Quiz #8 and exercises

April 18 Chapters 35 and 36 – Quiz #9 and exercises

April 25 Chapters 37 and 38 – Quiz #10 and exercises

May 2 Chapters 39 and 40 – Quiz #11 and exercises

May 9 FINAL EXAM (TBA)