FRES 1020:

Lingua Latina: Latin in Rome and the U. S. A.

(Meeting time and place: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:20, 116 Park Hall; rev. January 8, 2002 )

Dr. Richard A. LaFleur, Franklin Professor of Classics

Office: 234 Park Hall Office hours: 10:30-11:15 TTh, 12:15-1:15 W

PREREQUISITES: Freshman status with no prior formal study of Latin.

PROSPECTUS: A leisurely introduction to the Latin language for the utterly Latinless. Lingua Latina has been gaining in popularity in American schools and colleges for the last 25 years, especially because of the enormous benefits studying the language can provideCincluding improved English vocabulary and reading skills, as well as a deeper appreciation of the influences of the multicultural Greco-Roman world upon our own civilization.

In our 15 weekly seminar sessions we will examine the relationship of Latin to English and other languages in the Indo-European language family, learn the Roman alphabet, pronunciation, and some basics of Latin grammar, and read several simple but interesting Latin texts. At the same time, we will gain an appreciation of the omnipresence of Latin in our own language and culture, from the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution to the motto of the University of Georgia and Robin Williams' advice to his students in the movie Dead Poet's Society to CARPE DIEM!

TEXTBOOKS: Wheelock's Latin (6th ed.) and Workbook for Wheelock's Latin (3rd ed. rev.), both in the UGA Bookstore, both inexpensive and the former likely available used. If you really get ambitious, and enjoy computer drills, you can find two software packets (for either MAC or IBM), Latin Vocab Drill and Latin Flash Drill (which drills noun and verb forms), both with the LATN 1001/1002 materials in the textbook section of the bookstore (these programs can be used on your home computer or in virtually any of the University's computer labs).

WEBSITE: Visit our UGA Latin Website at www.classics.uga.edu/latin for LOTS of useful information, Latin drills, the Athens weather forecast, pronunciation, etc., etc.

ATTENDANCE: Only one unexcused absence is allowed (excused absences require a physician's note or similar documentation); your final course grade is lowered by one letter for each additional unexcused absence.

GRADING/ASSIGNMENTS: Grading is A-F; to earn an A, you must attend each week and be on time, prepared, eager to learn, and have the Workbook and other assignments completed and ready to turn in. Assignments will include readings from Wheelock's Latin and exercises in the Workbook, along with occasional small projects and Latin scavenger hunts. Workbook assignments must be turned in on the day for which they are assigned and they will be marked and factored into your course grade. There are no tests or final exam.

Carpe diem!