Latin

Latin 101 - Classical Latin: Introductory

This subject is designed for beginners and those who have not completed HSC Latin. The course requires no previous knowledge of a foreign language and/or of English Grammar. The grammatical concepts encountered will be explained. The course aims at introducing the basics of the Latin language through the translation from and into Latin of simple, often made-up, sentences and the reading and translation of abridged texts or of passages adapted from Latin classical texts. Through the latter the student will be introduced to the literary tradition of Ancient Rome.

Latin 102 - Classical Latin II (Introductory)

This Subject builds on the basic knowledge acquired in Lan101 and furthers the student’s understanding of Latin morphology and syntax along with commonly used constructions. The grammatical knowledge of the language is reinforced through the translation of sentences and passages from and into Latin, while reading skills are further developed through the reading of prose and verse texts of classical authors such as Ovid, Virgil, Cicero, Livy, Horace, Catullus and Seneca. Students will also be introduced to the metric reading of Latin poetry.

Latin 203 - Classical Latin III (Intermediate Level)

Lan203 introduces students to the study of Latin syntax: the syntax of cases and the syntax of the verb. The understanding of Latin syntax is reinforced through the translation of sentences and passages from and into Latin adapted from the texts of classical authors (loci antiqui) in order to meet the linguistic experience and competence of students. During the course students are encouraged to compose passages in Latin modelled on those of the authors examined before progressing to the reading, grammatical analysis and translation of passages drawn directly from Latin literature (loci immutati). Authors examined during the semester are: Phaedrus, Cicero, Livy & Cornelius Nepos. Since ancient classical cultures greatly valued the art of memory, students will be introduced to the art of memory and rhetoric and encouraged to memorise poetry and passages of prose.

Latin 204 - Classical Latin IV (Intermediate Level)

Lan204 builds on the knowledge of Latin syntax acquired in Lan203 and completes its study by introducing the student to the syntax of the period (i.e. coordination, consecutio temporum, clauses). The course focuses on the reading, grammatical analysis and translation of passages drawn directly from Latin literature (loci immutati). In order to reinforce the knowledge of Latin syntax and to begin introducing them to the pragmatics of the language, students engage in the composition of passages modelled on the authors examined. The course also introduces students to the study of Latin prosody and metric reading. Authors examined during the semester besides Cicero, are Pliny, Ovid and Virgil. Since ancient classical cultures greatly valued the art of memory, students will be invited to memorise poetry and passages of prose.

Lan301- Language, Culture & Society of Republican Rome (Advanced Level)

The subject focuses on the study of the Latin language within the context of the literary tradition of Ancient Rome. It aims at examining the development of the Latin language from the early documents or literary evidence (i.e. inscriptions) of Latin writing in the III century B.C. to its final standardisation in the works of Cicero and Varro (I B.C.). Students will engage in the reading and translation of texts of Latin authors such as Cato, Plautus, Terence, Ennius, Sallust, Catullus, Caesar, Livy, Lucretius, Cicero and Varro. During the course students are introduced to the problems connected with the transmission of the text and with the linguistic phenomenon of ‘text variety’, namely the relation of the language and its social environments, and its variations in response to changes in context and use (i.e. literary genre). Students also continue the study of Latin prosody and in the metric reading of Latin poetry initiated in Lan204.

Lan302- Pagans & Christians from Augustus to Augustine (Advanced Level)

The subject continues to explore the evolution of the Latin language initiated in the previous semester through the reading and translation of texts from the Age of Augustus to Augustine. It aims at examining the gradual transformation of semantics and syntax of the classical literary language prompted by the new spiritual, intellectual and cultural atmosphere characterising the first century of the Christian era. Students will examine how, as Rome gradually lost its cultural centrality and the political control over its empire, the standard grammatical rules regulating the functioning of the language became more relaxed and flexible and were able to express new ideas and concepts. While neologisms began to penetrate the Latin parlance, the structural changes hint to a certain degree of semantic shifts in the lexicon, most of which were caused by the emergence and spread of Christianity and by the influx of ‘barbarian’ cultures and languages. The students will be able to charter such developments and changes through the reading of authors of the time such as Virgil, Horace, Propertius, Tibullus, Seneca, Petronius, Juvenal, Apuleius, Tacitus, Suetonius, Tertullian, Jerome and Augustine. Since students have completed the study of the Latin syntax in previous courses, in this subject they will focus on the phenomenon of linguistic change and text varietythrough the works of the authors examined.