LATIN 300 A: Introductory Latin, Accelerated

Course Information

LAT 300 A - Introductory Latin, Accelerated

11:30 am - 12:20 pm DEN 110

Instructor: Catherine Chase (Cat)

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Email: cechase@uw.edu

Office: Denny Hall 400k

Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 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:

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 you will cover a little over half of the textbook, and in Latin 103 (Spring '24) you will cover the remaining chapters.

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 Classics Department.

This course counts for A&H if you are not using it to meet the foreign language proficiency requirement.

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.

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.)

The textbooks are available at the University Bookstore. Limited copies of both texts are available through UW Course Reserves at Odegaard Library. You will use these texts in LAT 103. 

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. When communicating with classmates for this course, please treat everyone with civility and respect. 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 (Things happen!). Assessments must be made-up in person in a timely fashion either during my office hours 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

Homework: There will be daily assignments drawn from Wheelock and 38 Latin Stories. 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 every Friday covering the week’s material. Every assessment will build on content from the previous week, so it is important to keep up with concepts and vocabulary. 

Participation: Participation refers to your engagement during class. This could be in the form of asking questions, answering questions, translating, parsing, listening, etc. If you are unable to participate in class due to illness, religious or sporting obligations, an emergency, etc., communication of your absence will be considered as engagement.

Final Exam: The final exam will be a translation of a short Latin passage or sentences. It will be on Wednesday, March 13 from 2:30-4:20 PM. More details will be distributed as we approach the end of the quarter.

Grading Breakdown:
Homework 30%
Weekly assessments 45%
Participation 10%
Final exam 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. 

Final Exam: Wednesday, March 13, 2:30-4:30 PM DEN 110

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.

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.*