LATIN 300 A: Introductory Latin, Accelerated

Course Information

LAT 300 A - Introductory Latin, Accelerated

8:30 - 10:40 am PDT, online via Zoom and synchronous

Instructor: Catherine Chase (Cat)

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Email: cechase@uw.edu

Office: Denny Hall 400k

Office Hour: Wednesdays, 11:00 – 12:00 PDT 

Department Course Coordinator: Professor James Clauss

Email: jjc@uw.edu

Download full syllabus: Syllabus_LAT 300 A_Su23.pdf

About the Course

Required Texts:

• Wheelock's Latin. (7th ed.) This book explains Latin grammar and syntax and contains many short readings from ancient Roman authors and many practice exercises.
• 38 Latin Stories. (5th ed.) Designed to accompany Wheelock’s Latin (7th ed.)

Course Description:

First year Latin courses give you direct access to the thoughts and writings of the ancient Romans and allow you to explore the dynamic and often dangerous cultural, social, and political world in which they wrote. Learning to interpret and use an ancient language requires you to explore unknown areas and think in new ways. Our focus is on Latin as a literary language.

Course activities are designed to foster a collegial and collaborative atmosphere and to encourage you to make strong connections between the ancient language and literature we are exploring together and your other interests, passions, and pursuits.

In Latin 300 (Summer Term A) you will cover roughly half of the textbook and in Latin 103 (Summer Term B) you will cover the remaining half.

Course Goals:

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

• Read and translate short selections from ancient Roman authors.
• Compose simple sentences in Latin.
• Understand and explain the literary, historical, and cultural context of texts by ancient Roman authors.
• Analyze and explain Latin grammar and syntax.
• Analyze and describe the influence of the Latin language on subsequent languages and literature.

Class Conduct:

Out of courtesy to your classmates and to me, please come to class on time and prepared to contribute. Everyone in this class deserves empathy and respect, and everyone deserves a supportive learning environment, even a digital one. Embracing the diversity of our group is an essential learning experience for any class. When communicating with classmates for this course, please treat everyone with civility and respect!

Class will be conducted synchronously via Zoom with a brief break halfway through the session. Each session will be recorded and uploaded to Canvas with the relevant slides after class. Additionally, although not required, I encourage you to have your video on during Zoom class and office hours/appointments, especially when you speak.

Communication:

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 PDT. 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.).

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). 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!

Make-ups and Extensions:

I expect you to keep up with assignments and assessments. If missing a due date is unavoidable (things happen!), please let me know before the due date if possible.

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. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using 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/ 

Grading:

Homework: There will be daily assignments that will be graded on completion drawn from Wheelock, 38 Latin Stories, and Latin epigraphy, which I will distribute to you. These will be graded on their completion. You will submit the homework on Canvas before class on the day they are due.

Assessments: There will be assessments twice weekly to be completed on Canvas under quizzes. You may use your textbooks, your own notes, and any handouts I have provided, but no other resources. Note that I am able to monitor click-aways during the assessment. Sometimes clicking away is unintentional. However, incessant click-aways or clicking away for long periods of time will be addressed.

Final Project: The final project will be an open book translation and a response assignment. It will be due on the last day of class, Wednesday, July 19, to be completed on Canvas under Quizzes by 11:59 pm PDT. More details will be distributed as we approach the end of A-Term.

Grading Breakdown:

Homework 35%

Weekly assessments 50%

Final project 15%

Grading Scale:

Course Schedule

Any readings or homework listed for a particular day are meant to be completed for that day by the start of class. Assessments are due by 11:59 pm PDT on the day they are listed.

Student Resources

Your Safety:

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 

Classics Department Textbook Fund

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