Medieval Latin: LATN 329

Syllabus: Spring 2008

please note reading changes from Spring Break onward;

the syllabus with revised assignments will be

updated weekly

 

Professor: Dr. Irby-Massie
Office: Morton 329
Office phone: 221-2162
Office Hours: MW 3:00-4:00 p.m.
e-mail: glirby@wm.edu
web pages:

Grading scale:
100-93% = A; 92-90% =  A-; 89-87% = B+; 86-83% = B; 80-82% = B-; 79-77% = C+; 76-73% = C; 72-73% = C-; 69-67% = D+; 66-63% = D; 92-60% = D-; 59%-0% = F

 

Exams and Course Grade:

Weekly Paradigms & quizzes 70 points
Oral Presentation 30 points
paper 70 points
Attendance and Participation 30 points
Midterm (29 February) 150 points
Final Exam (28 April: 1:30-4:30) 150 points
total 500 points

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Course Objectives: Medieval Latin is an advanced-level Latin class. We will read a variety of texts to explore the gamut of Medieval Latin church and secular literature, and we will discuss how that literature derives from and reflects social and intellectual trends. There will on-going discussion of the differences in Classical and Medieval Latin grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, as well as the Classical tradition and survival of Classical Latin texts. 

Schedule of Readings: The assigned readings are to be read before coming to class. It is your responsibility to keep up with any changes to the reading assignments as announced in class and on the web page. Be careful and systematic. Keep detailed vocabulary lists, including full dictionary entries. It is best not to write out translations but take careful grammatical and vocabulary notes. The Latin text of Augustine is available online (http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/august.html), and I highly recommend downloading and triple-spacing for the purposes of note-taking while translating in advance of class and while following along during class. Keep a clean copy of the text to study for quizzes and exams.

Make-up Policy: No make-up work will be allowed for any reason.

Class Room Policies: Regular attendance is strongly encouraged. You are expected to participate fully and actively in all class discussions.

Weekly Paradigms: To keep the forms fresh, I will assign weekly verb synopses and noun-adjective pairs. 

Quizzes: To keep us on our toes, there will be occasional unannounced quizzes on prepared and sight readings: questions may include translation, grammar, points of style, and/or socio-intellectual issues discussed in class. 

Paper: Students enrolled in this course to fulfill the major writing requirement will produce a lengthy annotated research paper (20-30 pages) treating some aspect of Medieval Latin literature or language. Other students will write briefer papers (10-12 pages) on some aspect of Medieval Latin literature and/or language. You may investigate an author or a genre; you may choose to produce a commentary on some coherent passage (even of authors we do not study). All papers must address issues of language, and your paper must cover a topic different from the topic of your class presentation. Students enrolled to fulfill the major writing requirement must submit a proposal (15 Feb), outline (27 Feb), and rough draft (14 April). Other students are encouraged to do so. All papers are due no later than 2:00 pm, 25 April. Early submissions are welcome and encouraged.

Oral Presentation: Each student will give a brief oral presentation (7-10 minutes): on some topic relevant to this course. Your presentation must be accompanied by a 1-2 page expository essay, due the day of the presentation.  Handouts are always a good idea! Some suggested topics include:

Exams: Exams will consist in translation of prepared and unseen passages, as well as grammatical questions, and some modest questions on various literary, historical, cultural, or social issues as discussed in class (especially presentations).

Department Sponsored Lectures: Please feel warmly invited and strongly encouraged to attend the AIA lectures sponsored by the Department of Classical Studies (as listed below: Jan 29, Feb 12, March 18, March 25: all lectures in Andrews 101, 4:30 pm). A coherent one-page summary of the lecture will earn modest extra credit. 

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No work will be accepted late
No make-ups will be permitted
Arrive prepared and on time
Minor adjustments to the syllabus may be announced in class
It is your responsibility to keep informed about changes to the syllabus and exam schedule
Turn off cell phones and beepers before coming to class

Do not talk, eat, read, or study for other courses during class

Regular attendance is strongly encouraged

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Required Texts

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Recommended Texts

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Essential Online Resources

Research Tools:

Writing Tools:

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On Reserve at SWEM

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Tentative Schedule of Assignments

Please note, you are expected to prepare the assigned passages in advance of class meeting.

Check back here from time to time. Class announcements and assignments will be posted to the schedule below. Any changes to assignments will be highlighted in yellow.

 

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