CLAS 101 B: Latin and Greek in Current Use

CLAS101 - Latin and Greek in Current Use

Summer 2026, Section B (online, asynchronous)

You will find all of our daily course material in the Modules section of our Canvas page.

Classics 101 has for many years been a popular 2-credit course option for students throughout UW. The course is designed to improve and increase your English vocabulary through a study of the Latin and Greek elements in English, with emphasis on words in current literary and scientific use. The Latin and Greek words and word roots learned in this course will help you better understand how many words in English have evolved and will prepare you to continue expanding your English vocabulary well after the class is over.

More than that, the course examines the ever-changing relationship between language and ideas in order to better understand the continuing impact of classical Greece and Rome on modern cultures. We explore topics such as Mythology (Who is Tantalus, and why is he the root of the word tantalize?), Medicine (How has Hippocrates’ Theory of the Four Humors impacted modern medical practices such as bloodletting?), Politics (Why is the government of the United States partially based on that of the Roman Republic?), Philosophy (How did the theory of atomism first develop over 2,500 years ago in Archaic Greece?), and more. Classics 101 gives you a sense of the words, ideas, and stories that we have adopted from the ancient Greeks and Romans, and helps you identify and contextualize the classical influences you encounter every day. 

Knowledge of Latin or Greek is not required.

Course Goals

In this course, we will use discussions, exercises, and reflections to demonstrate that you can:

• 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 Text

William J. Dominik, Words and Ideas (Bolchazy - Carducci).

Recommended Reference Texts

• Any reputable English dictionary with etymological entries, such as The American Heritage Dictionary (3rded.), or Webster’s New World Dictionary.
• The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is also available free online: go to http://lib.washington.edu and log in → “Start Your Research” → “Articles & Research Databases” → click “Oxford Dictionaries.”

Class Conduct

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

• Email Etiquette: You can reach me at amuh@uw.edu on weekdays from 9am-5pm. I will do my best to answer as promptly as possible. 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 if I think it is necessary. All email correspondence should be polite and professional.

• I cannot discuss grades during class or via email due to university policy, but rather during office hours and by appointment only. If you have questions regarding assignments, tests, homework, or any other matter, I would be happy to discuss that in my office. In order to make sure all students have available time to ask questions, please come to office hours having prepared the relevant course work and with specific questions.

Grading

Homework. There are 4 homework assignments, each worth 50 points, focused on word-building skills. These assignments are open-book, untimed, and you get two submission attempts. They are due on the days listed in the syllabus. Late submissions will be accepted but will incur a 10% point reduction.

Discussions. There are 3 discussion board assignments, each worth 10 points, focused on the topics covered in lectures. I will offer multiple prompts you can choose to respond to, or you can ask me or other students questions, reflect on what we talked about, or share something you were reminded of by class material. They are due on the days listed in the syllabus. Late submissions will be accepted but will incur a 10% point reduction.

Assessments. There will be 2 non-cumulative assessments, each worth 100 points, that focus on facts and concepts from ancient Greece and Rome, one due at the end of Week 6 (July 31) and one due during Week 9 (August 21). They are open-book and untimed; however, you must complete them independently, and you may not use AI under any circumstances. You only get one submission attempt. You must submit these by their due dates listed on the syllabus. NO late submissions will be accepted.

Grading Breakdown

• Homework: 4 x 50 points = 200 points
• Discussions: 3 x 10 = 30 points
• Assessments: 2 x 100 = 200 points

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• Total: 430 points

Grading Scale

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/

Cheating on any course assignment will not be tolerated and may result in receiving a zero on the assignment and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.

Policy on Artificial Intelligence: 

Generative AI is any artificial intelligence software, such as ChatGPT, that is used to generate ideas and content that are not one’s own. Beyond their alarming environmental impacts, these programs operate by stealing others' art and writing and are, on that basis, unethical. Such programs prevent and discourage the development of human beings both into free and critical thinkers and into proficient and creative writers and communicators.

Therefore, the use of these programs to assist in any way with the assignments in this course constitutes a violation of academic integrity and is therefore strictly forbidden. Using such tools will be considered an academic integrity violation and may result in a zero on the assignment and the student being reported to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct.

If you are ever tempted to use AI because you ran out of time and energy to finish an assignment on time, just email me for an extension!

Learning Support: 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 are not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical, or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS on your campus. 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

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.

Further Resources

UW Campus Food Pantry: Provides UW students, staff, and faculty with nonperishable groceries and select fresh produce for no cost.

Counseling Center: Resources for students seeking help in coping with stress or other mental health concerns.

Let’s Talk: Free, confidential, informal drop-in counseling service at UW.

Leadership Without Borders: Resources for undocumented students.

International Student Services Office: Visa and immigration advising for international students on F or J student visas.

Safe Campus: How to report violence or threats to the safety of yourself or others.

Schedule

All readings and assignments are due on the dates listed in the syllabus. Bulleted items indicate work due on that day. Please note that page numbers are for the physical copy of the book and do not apply to the electronic version. If you are using the electronic version, use the headings to navigate to the relevant pages. I reserve the right to modify the schedule as needed.