Latin Beginners I

Module Code:

MLAT0120

When Taught:

Michaelmas

Credit Points:

20

Method of Assessment:

2-hour exam in December (50%), two 1-hour time tests in Michaelmas term (25% each)

Teaching Methods:

Language classes (residential students)

Availability:

Residential and distance students

Lecturers:

James Richardson (res.), Janet Watson (dist.)

Pre-requisite(s):

None.  You must NOT have Latin GCSE or equivalent.

Contact hours (residential students):

40 to include 4 classes per week

Syllabus:    

The study of Latin enables you to read literature and historical sources written between the 2nd century BC and the 18th century AD, and provides a key to understanding modern Western European languages.  A knowledge of Latin gives you access to material for which no translation is available, and enables you to make your own judgment when a translation is available.  It is of great benefit to people interested in classical literature or in ancient, medieval and early modern history.  Knowledge of Latin also helps your understanding of English vocabulary and grammar.  This course uses the text-book Reading Latin, which is designed for learners at university level and is based on adapted Roman plays and speeches.  You will read adapted works by Plautus and Cicero, and a variety of unadapted writings too: poems by Martial, the text of the Bayeux Tapestry, extracts from the Bible, acts of Christian martyrs, Roman epitaphs.

High marks will be scaled down in order to bring them in line with non-linguistic marking.

Learning outcomes:

This module seeks:

• to provide students who have no previous knowledge of the language with a basic grounding in Latin grammar and syntax.
• to enable students to read adapted passages of increasing difficulty during the year and to prepare and give them the tools to tackle straightforward, unadapted texts in the original on their own with the help of a commentary and dictionary by the end of the course.
• to enable students to acquire knowledge of some of the ways in which Latin has an influence on modern English (and other western European languages).

Transferable and other skills involved:

This module seeks to enable students:

• to develop analytical, critical and problem-solving skills through the study of an ancient language.
• to enhance the use of written English through linguistic studies.
• to be able to manage your own programmes of learning with detailed tutorial guidance, and to seek and make use of feedback.

Main recommended texts:  

P. V. JONES and K. C. SIDWELL, Reading Latin, 2 vols (Cambridge University Press, 1986): Text, pb 0521286239; Grammar, Vocabulary and Exercises, pb 0521286220.

Evaluation (including student evaluation):  

Students will be asked to complete a questionnaire at the end of the module. This will be used by the Department in its annual review of all its teaching to help evaluate the module’s success. The external examiner will also have the opportunity to make comments and results of the questionnaires will be discussed in the SSCC.