In this offering of Latin 461, we will explore the writings of the Roman Republic by reading Plautus' Menaechmi (a comedy about a long lost twin's search for and discovery of his brother) and selections from Livy's History of Rome. We read in Latin and the course presumes you have completed Latin 307 at UW or the equivalent.
Topics to be considered along the way include an overview of the comic tradition, an investigation of the ways in which comedy represents, distorts and reinforces social and family structures, the place of comedy within the larger phenomenon of Hellenization in Roman culture, and ways in which comic ways of structuring narratives can be discerned in Livy's account of some episodes of Roman Republican history.
Required texts: A. S. Gratwick, ed. Plautus, Menaechmi, (Cambridge University Press)
Jody Valentine et al. 2022. Livy's Account of the Bacchanalian Affair at Rome: Translation, Notes, and Interpretative Commentary. Open access, available at https://pressbooks.claremont.edu/romanorientalism/
Other selections of Livy will be provided via Canvas.
There will also be a course shelf in Denny 257 (Meg Greenfield Room). Majors, minors and students in 400 level language classes can request access to the Meg Greenfield Room, Denny 257, the Department's seminar room. To request access, please write to clasdept@uw.edu.
UW Classics Textbook fund (for Classics majors and minors): https://classics.washington.edu/undergraduate-textbook-fund
Requirements will include translation tests and interesting and enjoyable writing assignments.
Academic Integrity
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/cssc/facultystaff/academic-misconduct/Links to an external site.
Because this class is designed to help you develop your skills of critical analysis and communication, and because I am interested in reading what you personally think about the materials we are working with, as a general rule, use of Chat gpt or other Artificial Intelligence tools is not permitted unless an assignment specifically says that using Chat gpt has been authorized by me for that specific assignment. Misconduct may result in no credit for an assignment or exam; failing the course; and being reported to the University. See more here: https://www.washington.edu/cssc/for-students/academic-misconduct/
Access and Accommodations
Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS)Links to an external site., 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. Links to an external site.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.
Religious Accommodations
Required Syllabus Language: “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 PolicyLinks to an external site.. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request formLinks to an external site..
Additional Resources
- UW Academic Support: http://depts.washington.edu/aspuw/more/campus-resources/
- UW Counseling Center: http://www.washington.edu/counseling/
Notice to Students - Use of Plagiarism Detection Software
Notice: The University has a license agreement with SimCheck, an educational tool that helps prevent or identify plagiarism from Internet resources. Your instructor may use the service in this class by requiring that assignments are submitted electronically to be checked by SimCheck. The SimCheck Report will indicate the amount of original text in your work and whether all material that you quoted, paraphrased, summarized, or used from another source is appropriately referenced.