Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module will give students a basic knowledge of Latin, sufficient for dealing, at an elementary level, with some of the linguistic aspects of Latin texts. In addition, it aims at developing students' skills of literary analysis of Latin texts.

The aims of the 'Latin in Ation' component and its related assessment are:
1. to help students to solidify and extend their working knowledge of basic vocabulary and its usage;
2. to give students an opportunity to put their developing knowledge of key grammatical patterns and syntactical structures into practice;
3. to help students to develop their ability to analyse and appreciate the effects of different modes of expression in the language, including differences of meaning and style, without the aid of a published translation;
4. to train students in the application of language skills to literary analysis, and in critical reading of texts in the original language;
5. to assist students in developing and applying increasingly nuanced translation strategies based on the foregoing skills; and
6. to enhance students' ability to read classical literature more meaningfully by applying all these skills to unfamiliar texts in the original language.
Several methods are used in supporting these aims, as appropriate to the level, the readings, and the specific grammatical elements being learned. ‘In Action’ class exercises and assessed assignments are usually based on the close study of one or more short passages of text in the original language. Methods may include translation of passages into English; translation from English into Latin/Greek; comparison of published translations; stylistic analysis; scansion of passages of verse; memorisation of short excerpts; recitation.

Outline Of Syllabus

- the principles of Latin, and its differences from English;
- The Latin grammar as introduced in the relevant Latin textbook, including such central material as the more elementary forms of the verbs, the case-forms of nouns etc.;
- “Latin in Action”: exercises practising the application of the grammar learnt to real Latin texts.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should have acquired:
* an understanding of the basic principles of the Latin language;
* a knowledge of the most important features of Latin grammar.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students should have acquired:
* the ability to use a Latin dictionary.
* elementary skills of analysis of a Latin text;
* the adaptability to apply the skills learnt to new pieces of Latin

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

General rationale: This (traditional) method for language teaching has worked well over the past years, and was commended by students.
Lectures, which include informal practice and exercise (as set in course material) will introduce, discuss and practise all the knowledge and skills implied in the outcomes; they will also introduce students how best to use the time set aside for private study.
Private study is supposed to be spent revising the material discussed in class, preparing for the next class and doing the exercises provided in the course material

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

An examination is best suited for testing linguistic knowledge and skills. The assignment tests the students' elementary skills in analysing Latin texts.

The weekly tests ensure students’ constant review of the material covered in the module, and allow the instructor to detect difficulties early on in the semester and provide students with constant feedback on their progress.

Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.

This module cannot be made available to Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students under any circumstances.

General Notes

N/A