LATIN 305 A: Introduction to Latin Literature

Course Information

LAT 305 A - Catullus and Caesar

11:30 am - 12:20 pm THO 335

Instructor: Catherine Chase (Cat)

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Email: cechase@uw.edu

Office: Denny Hall 400k

Office Hours: Tuesdays 2:00-3:00 pm, Wednesdays 10:00-11:00 am, or by appointment (in person or via Zoom)

Department Course Coordinator: Professor Catherine Connors

Email: cconnors@uw.edu

Download full syllabus.

About the Course

Description:

This course introduces students to translating Latin with two authors of the late Roman Republic. These authors—the poet Catullus and the dictator Julius Caesar—write about unrequited love, fierce rivalries, and the “barbarian” peoples encountered during the volatile period when the Roman Republic was falling and a new political order—the empire—was emerging. Classes will focus on translation and review of grammar, although thematic and stylistic issues will also be addressed.

Course Goals:

Through your work in the course this term you will demonstrate that you can:

• Gain familiarity with translating Latin literature.
• Review key grammatical concepts.
• Discuss literary and cultural aspects of Latin literature.
• Begin to explore scholarship on Latin literature.

LAT 305 begins the second-year or intermediate sequence of Latin courses. The LAT 305, 306, 307 sequence presumes that you have completed Latin 103 at  UW or an equivalent course. In winter and spring, students read selections of Cicero and Ovid (306), and Virgil (307), and other authors (304). The Classics Department Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Professor Catherine Connors (cconnors@uw.edu) is happy to speak with students any time about majors, minors, or coursework in the Department.

Required Texts:

• H. Garrison, ed. The Student’s Catullus.Oklahoma Univ. Press, fourth edition 2012.
• C. Kennedy, ed. Caesar De Bello Gallico VI. Bristol Classical Press, 1982 (published by Bloomsbury.com).
• H. Allen and J. B. Greenough. New Latin Grammar(recommended: any edition is fine). 

Class Conduct:

Out of courtesy to your classmates and to me, please come to class prepared to engage. Technology such as computers or tablets are allowed but must be on task. University conduct and academic integrity codes should be followed at all times.

You are responsible for keeping up with all email and Canvas communication. I will answer class-related emails Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PST. All email correspondence should be polite and professional. I cannot discuss grades during class or via e-mail due to university policy, but rather during office hours or by appointment only. If you have questions regarding assignments, tests, homework, or any other matter, I would be happy to discuss during my office hours. Please keep in mind that our email correspondence is a public record according to RCW 42.56, the Washington State Public Records Act, and I have the right to share it with my supervisor or other authorities if I think it is necessary (more information can be found here.).

Make-ups and Extensions:

I expect you to keep up with assignments and assessments. If missing a due date is unavoidable, please let me know before the due date if possible. Assessments must be made-up in person in a timely fashion either during my office hour or at a time you schedule with me. You will have the opportunity to submit assignments you miss by the last day of classes.

Important UW Policies:

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 and 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 UW 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: https://www.washington.edu/cssc/for-students/academic-misconduct/

Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to: cheating/unauthorized collaboration (working collaboratively on assignments, sharing answers); and plagiarism (representing others’ work as your own without proper citation, including unattributed ChatGPT/AI uses). Misconduct may result in no credit for an assignment or exam; failing the course; and being reported to the University. If you are unsure if something is academic misconduct, ask me!

UW Policy on Face Coverings in the Classroom (COVID-19): Face coverings are optional in most indoor locations on campus. However, I strongly recommend their use especially during increased community levels. This recommendation is in accordance with UW’s COVID-19 Face Covering Policy: 

https://www.ehs.washington.edu/system/files/resources/COVID-19-face-cover-policy.pdf

When you wear a mask, choose a well-fitted, high-quality mask (e.g., KN95, N95,  surgical mask) to reduce the potential for transmission. High-quality masks are available at no cost in several locations on each campus.  

As part of the University’s multi-layered strategy to limit the transmission of COVID-19, face coverings are required to be worn at the University of Washington for 10 days after COVID-19 illness or COVID-19 exposure; when on site at a University location after ending COVID-19 isolation, or after being exposed to someone who tested positive.

Face covering requirements will be reassessed if public health indicators change. 

Remaining up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters is the most important layer of safety for preventing severe illness. In addition, stay home when sick or symptomatic, and getting tested if you have symptoms or after an exposure.

For more information on UW’s COVID-19 requirements and recommendations, see https://www.ehs.washington.edu/covid-19-prevention-and-response/face-covering-policy

Grading:

In-class participation: Participation means engagement. Please come to every class having read, to the best of your ability, in Latin the passages assigned for that day, and be prepared to translate and discuss these passages. If you are unable to translate, please listen attentively.

Prose composition: There will be eight prose composition assignments. You will be asked to translate several sentences from English into Latin. Each assignment will focus on particular areas of grammar.

Tests and final exam: There will be four tests and a cumulative final exam. These will be “closed-book,” no notes or dictionary allowed. The general format will consist of providing a literal translation of passages of Latin from the assigned readings and explaining the full grammar and syntax of underlined forms. There may also be some vocabulary questions. The final exam is Wednesday, December 13, 2:30-4:30 pm.

Article assignment: Use the UW Libraries catalog to find a scholarly article or book chapter on either Caesar or Catullus. Write a brief summary (1-2 paragraphs) of what the article/chapter discusses and then a reflection on it due by the last day of class, Friday, December 8. Assignment details will be posted to Canvas.

Grading Breakdown:

Prose composition assignments: 20%

Tests: 40%

Participation: 15%

Article assignment: 5%

Final exam: 20%

Grading Scale:

Course Schedule

Readings and assignments listed for a particular day are meant to be completed for that day. Readings are subject to change depending on what we get through in class.

Week 1:

W Sept. 27: Introduction

F Sept. 29: Caes. 1

Week 2:

M Oct. 2: Caes. 2

T Oct. 3: Caes. 3-4

W Oct. 4: Caes. 5-6

F Oct. 6: Prose Comp. I (Allen and Greenough [AG] 316-317, 339-340, 577-584: Nominative and Vocative Cases; Indirect Discourse)

Week 3:

M Oct. 9: Caes. 7

T Oct. 10: Caes. 8

W Oct. 11: Caes. 9-10

F Oct. 13: Prose Comp. II (AG 303-308, 386-397: Accusative Case; Relative Pronouns)

Week 4:

M Oct. 16: TEST #1

T Oct. 17: Caes. 11

W Oct. 18: Caes. 12

F Oct. 20: Prose Comp. III (AG 341-349, 529-533: Genitive with Nouns; Purpose Clauses)

Week 5:

M Oct. 23: Caes. 13

T Oct. 24: Caes. 14

W Oct. 25: Caes. 15-16

F Oct. 27: Prose Comp. IV (AG 350-359, 536-538: Genitive with Verbs; Result Clauses)

Week 6:

M Oct. 30: TEST #2

T Oct. 31: Caes. 17-19

W Nov. 1: Caes. 20-22

F Nov. 3: Prose Comp. V (AG 360-372, 544-549: Dative of Indirect Object; Cum Clauses)

Week 7:

M Nov 6:  Caes. 23-24, 26

T Nov 7: Cat. 1, 2, 3

W Nov 8: Cat. 5, 7, 8

F Nov 10: NO CLASS – Veterans Day observed

Week 8:

M Nov 13: TEST #3

T Nov 14: Cat. 12, 13, 16

W Nov 15: Cat. 22, 43, 46

F Nov 17: Prose Comp. VI. (AG 373-385: other uses of Dative; Participles)

Week 9:

M Nov. 20: Cat. 49, 50, 51, 53

T Nov. 21: Cat. 58b, 70, 72, 73, 83

W Nov. 23: Cat. 84, 85, 86, 87, 92

F Nov. 25: NO CLASS (THANKSGIVING)

Week 10:

M Nov. 27: TEST #4

T Nov. 28: Cat. 96, 101, 109

W Nov. 29: Cat. 64 TBD

F Dec. 1: Prose Comp. VII (AG 398-415, 503-507: Ablative I; Gerund and Gerundive)

Week 11:

M Dec 4: Cat. 64 TBD

T Dec 5: Cat. 64 TBD

W Dec 6: Cat. 64 TBD

F Dec 8: Prose Comp. VIII (AG 419-431: Ablative II.), article assignment due

Final Exam: Wednesday, December 13, 2:30-4:30 pm THO 335

Student Resources

Your Safety:

Safe Campus, 206-685-7233 (M-F 8am-5pm). In urgent or dangerous situations call 911.

UW Emergency Aid

Providing resources, loans, grants for housing, food, medical expenses, etc.

Sportula Micro-grants

Micro-grants (up to $300) aimed at helping classics students make ends meet, no questions asked.

UW Student Legal Services

Both free & low-cost, confidential legal consultation for students including (but not limited to) tenant rights, immigration, and discrimination.

Your Health

UW Coronavirus Info 

UW Virtual Medicine

UW Food Pantry

UW Mental Health Resources

Both the Counseling Center and Hall Health are offering online mental health services (free!) for enrolled students!

Your Education

UW Libraries

Student Tech Loan Program 

UW Classics Undergraduate Textbook Fund
For majors and minors in the Department of Classics.

Interested in finding out about a major or minor in the Department of Classics? You can sign up for a minor with the adviser for your major. You can sign up for the major by speaking with the advisers in Humanities Academic Services. The Classics Department Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Professor Catherine Connors, is also happy to speak with students anytime about coursework and other opportunities in the Department. Contact her at cconnors@uw.edu to make an appointment.

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