LATIN LANGUAGE
Learning outcomes of the course unit
The course aims at introducing students to Latin language and literature, so that students should:
- be able to place authors and literary movements in their proper historical context;
- be able to translate and analyze Latin literary texts and make personal judgements on Latin works and authors;
- have developed the ability to synthesize contents and properly assess and communicate their knowledge;
- have developed and demonstrate learning abilities recommended for further studies in Classics.
Classroom lectures, which are supplemented by practice sessions and tutorials (morphology, syntax, scansion, meter), will focus on the reading and interpretation of the texts provided.
Course contents summary
Literary genres between Julius Caesar and Augustus: among the prosaic literary genres, historiography will be dealt with and, particularly, its development by Julius Caesar.
Recommended readings
Classroom lectures:
Selected bibliography on the topic discussed will be provided during lessons.
Required Text Books:
A. Traina – G. Bernardi Perini, Propedeutica al latino universitario (with the exception of chapters VI, VIII, IX), Bologna Pàtron, 2007;
B. Morphology and Syntax (students will be free to select a Latin Grammar text book of their choice);
M. Tully Cicero, Cato maior. De Senectute
Teaching methods
The course consists of classroom lectures and exercises, followed by a weekly tutorial. The exam consists of an oral exam covering syllabus topics
Assessment methods and criteria
Students will be assessed by an oral examination based on the readings and other material used in the course and that will be administered at the end of the single module or at the end of the two courses.
The assessment aims to test:
1) proper knowledge and critical understanding of the literary and cultural background of the main and most important literary genres within the field of Latin Literature;
2) proper reading and translation of Latin texts;
3) critical and interpretation skills along with the ability to produce personal reinterpretation and interdisciplinary links;
4) oral proficiency; correct use of language; ability to give proper answers to given questions.
It will also verified that the student does know basic latin grammar and basic latin syntax and assigned chapters of "Propedeutica al latino universitario"
Students will have to fully achieve the first two assessment criteria and score a minimum of 60 percent or better to get a pass grade.
