CLAS 101 H: Latin and Greek in Current Use

Course Information

CLAS 101 H - Latin and Greek in Current Use

Instructor: Catherine Chase (Cat)

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Email: cechase@uw.edu

Office Hours: Tuesdays 10:00 - 11:00 AM or by appointment (both via Zoom)

Department Course Coordinator: Professor Stephen Hinds

Email: shinds@uw.edu

About the Course

Course Goals:

This class will prepare you to:

• Break down English words into their Greek and Latin roots and explain their meanings;
• Discuss literary, historical and cultural contexts of important Greek and Roman stories and ideas;
• Recognize the influence of these Greek and Roman stories and ideas on modern cultures.

Required Texts:

• William J. Dominik, Words and Ideas (Bolchazy -Carducci), available at the University Bookstore.

Class Conduct:

I will post pre-recorded lectures every Tuesday and Thursday. To get most of these lectures, I recommend doing the assigned reading before watching. The lectures and textbook complement each other; only watching or only doing the readings will not be sufficient.

I cannot discuss grades via e-mail due to university policy, but only during office hours or by appointment.

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. All email correspondence should be polite and professional. I cannot discuss grades over e-mail due to university policy, but I would be happy to discuss during my office hour or by appointment. 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.

Grading

Homework: There are four homework assignments that focus on word-building skills. These assignments are open-book and untimed, and you get two submission attempts. These assignments are automatically graded, so their deadlines are flexible; you do not have to e-mail me if you have to submit a homework assignment late.

Assessments: There will be two non-cumulative assessments that focus on facts and concepts from ancient Greece and Rome. One is due Week 7 (Wednesday, May 8), and the other is due during finals week (Wednesday, June 5). They are open-book and untimed. You only get one submission attempt. I expect you to submit these assessments within the allotted time; if you cannot submit before the deadline or need an extension, please let me know as soon as possible. 

Open book policy: For homework and assessments, you can use three sources only: your textbook, your own notes, and my lectures. You are not allowed to use the Internet. If your answer includes details that were not covered in this class, you will not receive credit for that answer. 

Discussions: For each topic that we learn about, I will create a discussion board on Canvas  where you can ask me or other students questions, reflect on what we have talked about, or share something you were reminded of by class material. Part of your grade depends on your participation in these discussions. Post or reply to someone else’s post five times to earn full credit. Discussion posts are due during finals week (Wednesday, June 5).

Extra credit assignment: During Week 8, I will publish an extra credit assignment, which will be worth 20 points and due during finals week (Wednesday, June 5).

I have zero tolerance policy for the use of ChatGPT or other AI.

Grading Breakdown:

Homework: 4 x 50 points = 200 points

Discussion: 5 x 6 = 30 points

Assessments: 2 x 100 points = 200 points

Grading Scale:

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). 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!

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

UW Course Reserves

Student Tech Loan Program 

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

Course Schedule

Any readings or homework listed for a particular day are meant to be completed for that day by the start of class. 

WEEK ONE

T March 26: Syllabus

Look over the syllabus.

TH March 28: Introduction to "Classics" and Word Building

Read Chapter 1; learn Greek and Latin plural forms (pages 13-15).

WEEK TWO

T April 2: Word Building

TH April 4: Mythology: The Primordial Gods

Read pages 75-82 in chapter 4 (start with "What is Mythology", stop before "Underworld"); learn meanings of words/expressions in the Word Study sections.

Homework 1 due (Greek bases in chapter 2, pages 19-29 and in exercise 7 on page 38).

WEEK THREE

T April 9: Mythology: The Olympians

Read pages 85-89 in chapter 4 ("Heroes"); learn meanings of words/expressions in the Word Study sections.

TH April 11: Mythology: Heroes and the Underworld (content warning: sexual violence)

Read pages 82-84 in chapter 4 ("The Underworld"); learn meanings of words/expressions in the Word Study sections.

WEEK FOUR

T April 16: Mythology: The Iliad, Odyssey, and Aeneid

Read pages 90-95 in chapter 4 (start with "The Trojan War", stop before "Oedipus and His Family"); learn meanings of words/expressions in the Word Study sections.

TH April 18: Greek History

Read pages 227-238 in chapter 9 (start with "What Is History?", stop before "Source passages"); start learning "Key Words for History" at the end of this chapter.

Homework 2 due (Greek prefixes in chapter 2, pages 30-33).

WEEK FIVE

T April 23: Roman History.

Read pages 238-241 in chapter 9 (start with "Source passages", stop before "The story of Coriolanus and Veturia"); continue learning "Key Words for History" at the end of this chapter.

TH April 25: Greek Law and Politics

Read "The Greek Polis", "Monarchy and Related Forms", and "Democracy" in chapter 6; learn words and expressions in Word Study sections after them.

WEEK SIX

T April 30: Roman Law and Politics.

Read the rest of chapter 6; learn the rest of Word Study sections; learn words and expressions under "Latin Derivatives in Legal Vocabulary"; instead of learning all Latin Legal Phrases, only learn the ones in this document:

Assessment 1 opens Wednesday, May 1.

TH May 2: Commerce and Economics

Read chapter 7, learn words and expressions in the Word Study rubrics.

WEEK SEVEN

T May 7: Commerce and Economics

Homework 3 due (Latin bases in chapter 3, pages 45-48).

Assessment 1 due on Wednesday, May 8.

TH May 9: Medicine

Read chapter 5; learn words and expressions in the Word Study sections; start learning key words derived from Greek and Latin at the end of this chapter.

WEEK EIGHT

T May 14: Medicine

Continue learning key words at the end of chapter 5.

T May 16: Philosophy

Read pages 191-206 in chapter 8 (start with "Inquiry", stop before "Psyche"); for help filling out the Word Study sections, consult this document: 

WEEK NINE

T May 21: Psychology

Read pages 206-219 (start with "Psyche", finish the chapter); for help filling out the Word Study sections, consult this document: 

Homework 4 due (Latin prefixes in chapter 3, pages 49-55).

TH May 23: Literature

Learn number bases in Appendix 3 (pages 255-256).

WEEK TEN

T May 28: Literature

TH May 30: Review

I will hold an additional office hour from 10:00-11:00 AM to answer any questions you may have.

Assessment 2 opens Friday, June 1.

FINALS WEEK

Assessment 2 and extra credit assignment due on Wednesday, June 5.

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.*