Latin Beginners II

Module Code:

MLAT0220

When Taught:

Lent

Credit Points:

20

Method of Assessment:

2-hour exam in May/June (50%); two 1-hour time tests in Lent term (25% each)

Teaching Methods:

Language classes (residential students)

Availability

Residential and distance students

Lecturers:

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

Pre-requisite(s):

Latin Beginners I, or equivalent.  You must NOT have Latin GCSE or equivalent.

Contact hours (residential students):

40 to include 4 classes per week

Syllabus:    

In this module we will continue to work through the textbook Reading Latin.  We will begin where we left off in Beginners’ Latin I (usually about chapter 2B) and continue as fart as chapter 4A.  Like its predecessor, this course will consist of a mixture of grammar, translation and comprehension exercises.  We will also read passages of adapted text from Plautus and Cicero.

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:

The 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.