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image courtesy of Edgar L. Owen, #3803




Instructor

Dr. Victor A. Leuci

Texts

Virgil. The Aeneid. Books I-VI. Ed. Clyde Pharr. revised edition. Boston: D.C. Heath & Co. 1964. (Latin text)

Virgil. Georgics. Transl. Peter Fallon. Introduction by Elaine Fantham. Oxford World's Classics. New York: Oxford University Press. Reissue edition. 2009.

Virgil. The Eclogues: Dual Language Edition. Transl. Guy Lee. Penguin Classics. New York: Penguin Classics. Revised ed. edition. 1984.

Virgil. The Aeneid. Transl. Elaine Fantham. Oxford World's Classics. New York: Oxford University Press; Reprint edition. 2008.
      Or:            Transl. Sarah Ruden. New Haven: Yale University Press; Reprint edition. 2009.

Objectives

This course is an introduction to Latin poetry and its conventions with special emphasis on the poems of Horace. In addition to the translation and analysis of Latin poetry, you will be responsible for reading and discussing a representative selection of modern criticism on the poetry and/or its cultural context.

Relationship to the General Education Curriculum

(Tier II: Artistic Expression and Critical Appreciation Context-course in literature).

Latin 204 provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the study of Latin literature: to engage with Latin literature that is representative of significant periods, movements, themes, or figures; to develop the ability to analyze and discuss Latin literature using key terminology and a variety of approaches; to explore the relationships between art and society in order to gain insight into cultural aspects of Roman society and develop a perspective that enhances understanding of the human condition; and to promote an appreciation of the arts.
Prerequisite: LAT 203 or equivalent

Format

Attendance and participation in class are essential for the success of the course. More than 2 unexcused absences will be considered excessive, and make-up work will be accepted only for excused absences. In class we will translate and analyze poems or sections of longer poems. An oral version of the critical summaries and translation/essay projects will be presented in class. Critical essays and sections of relevant books will be assigned during the course of the semester.

Grading & Workload

Plus/Minus: The grading scale is:

Grading: There will be on average a quiz every week or so (25 pts each). Homework and class participation will count the equivalent of two quizzes (50 pts). There will be 2-4 critical reviews and possibly 1 critical edition (25 pts each). There will be 2-3 exams--1-2 during the semester and 1 during finals week (75 pts each). You may drop your lowest quiz score and your lowest exam score.

Workload: Since this is a 3 hour class, expect to spend 9 hours a week, on average, preparing for class, attending class, writing papers, and studying for exams. The exact amount per week will vary depending on what we are doing that week (see the worksheet in Moodle for more details).

Honor Code

All students and faculty must adhere to the Honor Code; please see the Student Life Handbook for the full description of the Honor Code--p. 21 in the Student Life Handbook gives a short definition: "No Westminster student shall commit any act of academic dishonesty in order to advance her or his own academic performance, or to impede or advance the academic progress of others," but the sections on plagiarism and cheating are especially important (see Honor Commission Constitution, Article IX).

College-Wide Policies and Procedures:

All faculty and students are required to follow the ADA policy statement, college-wide policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination, the College Duty policy, and the Emergency Procedures. These policies and procedures can be found in the Faculty Handbook, Appendix R (hardcopy and on the Westminster College website), the Faculty Advisor Handbook, and the Student Life Handbook.

Attendance

Regular attendance and participation are essential for the success of the whole class. More than two unexcused absences will be considered excessive, and no make-up work will be accepted for unexcused absences. Each unexcused absence past two will result in a deduction of 4 points from the total number of points one has at the end of the semester. If you are ill, e-mail me before class, if possible, or as soon as you are able.

Assignments

The assignments given below are not "set-in-stone," and may vary depending on how each class period goes. The syllabus will be updated as needed.