CLAS 101 B: Latin and Greek in Current Use

CLAS 101 B — Latin and Greek in Current Use

Spring 2020, T/Th 8:30-9:20am [assigned], online

Instructor: Nicole Speth                                 

Email: spethn@uw.edu         

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11:30am-12:30pm via zoom & by appointment

Department Email: clasdept@uw.edu

Department Website: https://classics.washington.edu

Preliminaries

Due to the exceptional circumstances of the quarter, this syllabus is subject to modification and change throughout the quarter.  My plan currently is to record Panopto lectures, which you will then watch at a time convenient for you.  I will supplement these lectures with handouts posted on Canvas, which you can use as an aid in following along with the main points of the lectures.  However, as we go along, we might find that we need to change or modify how things are run.  Please note that throughout the quarter I will be patient and flexible toward any issues that arise with online learning, and I ask for your patience and flexibility in return.  If you have any concerns or questions about the course at any point in the quarter, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. 

Required Text:​

• William J. Dominik, W​ords and Ideas ​(Bolchazy ­ Carducci). The physical copy (rather than the electronic) is recommended, as it coincides with the page numbers listed on the syllabus.

Recommended Reference Texts:​

• Any reputable English dictionary with etymological entries, such as T​he American Heritage Dictionary (​3​^rd e​d.), or W​ebster’s New World Dictionary.​
• The O​xford English Dictionary (OED) is also available free online: go to http://lib.washington.edu/ a​nd log in → “Start Your Research” → “Articles & Research Databases” → click “Oxford Dictionaries.”

Course Aims:​

The aims of the class are twofold. First, we will seek to improve and increase English vocabulary through a study of the Latin and Greek elements in English, with emphasis on words in current literary and scientific use. The Latin and Greek word roots learned in this course will help you better understand how many English words have evolved and prepare you to continue expanding your English vocabulary well after the class is over. Second, we will examine the ever-changing relationship between language and ideas in order to better understand the continuing impact of classical Greece and Rome on modern culture. This course aims to give you a sense of the stories, words, and ideas that we have adopted from the ancient Greeks and Romans and to help you identify classical influence when you encounter it.

Class Conduct:​ (More about UW’s policies on conduct and accommodation at end of syllabus)

Class will be conducted entirely online this quarter, and I expect you to keep up with the weekly assignments and lectures.  You may watch lectures and complete worksheets at any time that is convenient for you.  However, please note that all deadlines for homework and quizzes will be posted on Canvas in Pacific Daylight Time.  University conduct and scholarly integrity codes should be followed at all times. Above all, I want you to succeed in this course, and I will be patient and flexible toward any issues that arise with online learning.

I cannot discuss grades during class or via e-mail due to university policy, but rather during office hours and by appointment only. If a student has questions regarding assignments, tests, homework or any other matter, I would be happy to discuss during my office hours via Zoom. All email correspondence should be polite and professional.

Office Hours:

For my office hours this quarter, I will be available via Zoom on Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30am-12:30pm. (This time is subject to change if inconvenient for the majority of the class).  During this time, feel free to drop in and out and ask any questions that you may have.  I plan for this to be a time when the class can learn from each other’s questions.  I am also happy to answer any questions via email or set up a one-on-one meeting via zoom.

Grading:

Homework/Participation: Normally, participation points are earned by attending class and participating in class.  However, this quarter everyone will receive 30 participation points built into their grade.  Completion of homework assignments will count for 30 points, as will participation, for a total of 60 points. This is not to say, however, that there will not be opportunities to participate in the course.  Among other things, over the course of the quarter, I will set up discussion groups on Canvas for you to comment on readings, which I encourage everyone to contribute to.  There will be four homework assignments, each worth ten points. Your lowest homework grade will be dropped.. Homework is due by the deadline indicated on Canvas. Homework and participation account for a large portion of your grade — if you were to get a zero in this category, the highest course grade you could receive is a 3.1.

Quizzes: There will be three quizzes worth 80 points each given over the course of the term (see schedule below for dates). The quizzes will be completed on Canvas, and make-up opportunities will only be given if a student promptly emails me to reschedule.  The quizzes will be open book, but there will be a time limit to each quiz.  Additionally, there will be a 24-48 hour time period in which you can take the quiz at any convenient time.  I strongly recommend keeping up on relevant vocabulary from each chapter as we cover it by completing your homework and watching lectures; this will make preparation easier and allow you to get higher scores. Bonus points will be offered in the quizzes and in the final. Even if a student has achieved the maximum score for a given quiz or final without the bonus points, any earned bonuses will be ‘banked’ for use towards the student’s overall points total for the course.

Final Exam: The final exam, worth 130 points, will be on Tuesday, June 9 via Canvas. You will also have a 24-48 hour window to complete the final exam.

Grading Breakdown:

                                                                                                Participation + Homework: 60 Points

Quizzes: 3 x 80 = 240 Points
                                                                                                                       Final exam: 130 Points
                                                                                                                       -----------------------------           

Total: 430 points

Grading Scale:

* Note: in order to pass this class, you must receive 246 points or greater.

Schedule: ​All readings and assignments a​re due​ on the day they are listed on the syllabus.

* Note: Page numbers are for the physical copy of the book and do not apply to the electronic version. If you are using the electronic version, please use the headings to navigate to the relevant pages.

Week 1

Tuesday, March 31: Introduction

• Introduction & Syllabus
• What is Classics?

Thursday, April 2: Word Building

• Read Chapter 1 – Word Building Basics (pp.1-15)
• Read Appendices I-III (pp. 251-256)

Week 2

Tuesday, April 7: Mythology of Greece and Rome (The Primordial Gods) 

• Read Chapter 4 – Mythology (pp. 75-99)
• Memorize: Greek Nouns/Adjectives (pp. 19-25): Memorize all bulleted bases/combining forms in these sections. For example, know that that ‘–archy’ means ‘rule by.’

Thursday, April 9: Mythology of Greece and Rome (Zeus and His Children)

• Memorize Greek Adverbs/Verbs (pp. 25-29)
• Homework: 4 ex. 2-3 (p.101) and Connection/Reflection on Mythology (details will be posted on Canvas)

Week 3

Tuesday, April 14:  Mythology of Greece and Rome (The Underworld and Heroes)

• Memorize Greek Prefixes/Suffixes (pp.29-36)

Thursday, April 16: Mythology of Greece and Rome (The Trojan War)

• Review all previous material in preparation for Quiz #1

Week 4

Tuesday, April 21:  Quiz Day

• Quiz #1 (Word Building and Mythology)

Thursday, April 23: Medicine

• Read Chapter 5 – Medicine (pp. 105-139)
• Homework: 5 ex. 4a-k, 5a-h, 6a-f (pp.142-143) and Connection/Reflection on Medicine.

Week 5

Tuesday, April 28: Medicine

• Memorize Latin Nouns/Verbs (pp. 45-48)

Thursday, April 30: Politics and Law (Greek politics)

• Read Chapter 6 – Politics and Law (pp. 145-164)
• Homework: 6 ex. 3 (p. 166) and Connection/Reflection on Politics and Law
• Memorize Latin Prefixes (pp. 48-55)

Week 6

Tuesday, May 5: Politics and Law (Roman politics)

• Review all previous material preparation for Quiz #2

Thursday, May 7: Quiz Day

• QUIZ #2 (Medicine, Politics and Law)

Week 7

Tuesday, May 12: Commerce and Economics

• Read Chapter 7 – Commerce and Economics (pp. 169-186)

Thursday, May 14: Philosophy

• Read Chapter 8 – Philosophy and Psychology (pp. 191-213)
• Memorize Latin Suffixes (pp. 55-63)

Week 8

Tuesday, May 19: Psychology and Latin Phrases

• Review all previous material in preparation for Quiz #3

Thursday, May 21: Quiz Day

• Quiz #3 (Commerce and Economics, Philosophy and Psychology)

Week 9

Tuesday, May 26: History and Historiography (Greek History)

• Read chapter 9 – History (pp. 227-249)

Thursday, May 28: History and Historiography (Roman History)

• Review Latin word building (chapter 3)
• Homework: 9 ex. 1, 2(a) (p. 248) and Connection/Reflection on History (entire assignment optional: only 3/4 homework assignments counted)

Week 10

Tuesday, June 2: Vocabulary Review 

• Review Vocab from chapters 2 and 3

Thursday, June 4: Course Review

• Bring questions!
• Extra Credit Assignment due (optional)

Tuesday, June 9: Final Exam on Canvas

*I reserve the right to modify the syllabus at any time*

Important UW policy-related things to know:

UW’s Religious Accommodations Policy: “Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/ , the Religious Accommodations Request form.”

UW’s Student Conduct Code: “The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121) defines prohibited academic and behavioral conduct and describes how the University holds students accountable as they pursue their academic goals. Allegations of misconduct by students may be referred to the appropriate campus office for investigation and resolution. More information can be found online at https://www.washington.edu/studentconduct/”

UW Disability Resources: Access and Accommodations: Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course.

If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924 or uwdrs@uw.edu or disability.uw.edu. DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions.  Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS.  It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

Academic Integrity: University of Washington students are expected to practice high standards of academic and professional honesty and integrity as outlined here: http://depts.washington.edu/grading/pdf/AcademicResponsibility.pdf