Latin (Beginner II)

Level:

Master's

CEU credits:

Academic year:

2009/2010

Semester:

Winter

Co-hosting Unit(s) [if applicable]:

Department of Medieval Studies

Academic Program:

Master of Arts in Comparative History (2 years)

Master of Arts in Medieval Studies

CEU Instructor(s):

Cristian-Nicolae Gaşpar

Teaching assistants, administrators, etc:

Luka Špoljarić

Additional information:

Goals: -to equip the students with a knowledge of basic aspects of the Latin nominal and verbal morphology as well as with notions of syntax of cases and of various verbal forms -to provide the students with a basic knowledge of specific Medieval Latin vocabulary -to offer the students theoretical insights into as well as practical demonstrations of various aspects of translation of sources written in Medieval Latin -to provide basic background information on the culture and spirituality which inform sources written in Medieval Latin

Required Readings Link:

Goullet, Monique and Michel Parisse. Apprendre le latin médiéval: Manuel pour les grands commençants, 2nd ed., Paris: Picard, 1999.

Wheelock, Frederic M. Wheelock’s Latin, 6th ed. revised by Richard A. LaFleur. New York: Collins, 2005.

Learning Outcomes:

-The ability to analyze primary source materials, i.e., to select relevant primary source material and read it in the source language with an awareness of the linguistic and cultural background implied. Assessed through assigned individual translation work and exercises (homework) followed by discussion in class as well as through and end-of-term written examination. -A solid thorough knowledge of the main morphological and syntactical features of Latin including: main patterns of the nominal and pronominal inflection; the systems of the imperfectum and perfectum indicatiui; the subjunctive; the uses of the main conjunctions and prepositions and the syntactic value of the cases as well as that of various verbal moods and tenses. Assessed through assigned individual translation work and exercises (homework) followed by discussion in class as well as through and end-of-term written examination.

Assessment :

Attendance in class is required (min. 60 %). The assessment is both formative and summative. Student performance will be assessed both throughout the semester by means of practical exercises, translation of selected texts (both on-sight, in class, and as independent work as homework), and specially designed grammar drills as well as at the end of the semester by means of a written examination, which will consist of short texts to be translated with the help of the dictionary and the notes provided by the instructor. In the final assessment, the ratio between class participation and final examination will be 20% to 80%. Both written and oral feedback will be provided to students on a regular basis. Note: It is mandatory for the MA students assigned to the Beginners group in September to attend and pass the end-of-term written examination with a grade of at least B-. Those failing to do so will retake the exam prior to the defense of their MA Thesis; failure to comply with this requirement or to obtain a passing grade (i.e., min. B-) will delay the conferral of the MA degree until this condition is met.

Full description:

This course comes as a continuation of the similar one offered in the Fall Semester and is intended to enlarge the students’ basic knowledge of Medieval Latin so as to enable them, by the end of the semester, to handle simple sources written in that language beyond beginner’s level. By the end of the semester the overview of the verbal and nominal morphology will be completed, adding to the forms already taught the following: the -u and -e stems (i.e., the 4^th and 5^th declensions), the tenses of the perfectum, the nominal forms of the verb, and the subjunctive. In addition to this, the course will also include a survey of the various indeclinable words, such as adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions with their uses with various cases as well as provide a basic overview of Latin syntax. All throughout the semester special attention will be paid to specific grammatical and lexical features of Medieval Latin. All the grammar points discussed in class will be illustrated with concrete examples (both isolated sentences and coherent texts) chosen by the instructor; these will be translated in class or as individual assignments, followed by discussion in class. In addition to the theoretical lectures covering various issues of grammatical and lexical issues (taught by C. Gaşpar), a series of revision and practice classes (held every week by L. Špoljarić) will ensure a thorough and interactive discussion of the information provided during the lectures and ample opportunities for practicing on concrete examples the grammar points discussed as well as give the students the possibility to offer and receive feedback in connection with the topics discussed.

Weekly outline:

Given the specific nature of this course, the weekly outline will only emerge during the semester, being permanently tailored to the students’ needs and following the rhythm of their progress. The following outline is tentative.

Week 1 a. Nominal inflection patterns: -u and -e stems (4th and 5th declensions). Irregular nouns (overview). [Format: lecture].