Reading classical Latin
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| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
This beginner’s course in reading classical Latin introduces you to key vocabulary and the basics of Latin grammar, as you work towards tackling original texts on your own – such as passages from Roman drama and Cicero’s famous speeches. The language is taught in its historical and cultural context, complementing your studies with an awareness of Roman society and literature. No previous knowledge of Latin is needed, but you’re strongly advised to familiarise yourself with grammatical terms in English beforehand – a preparatory booklet is available. Reading about Roman civilisation is also a helpful and enjoyable way to gain a cultural background to the course.
Course content
This course introduces the vocabulary, grammar and language structures needed to study Latin passages. You will progress from basic to more complex grammatical exercises that tease out the constructions you are meeting in your texts. Much of your time will be devoted to studying passages adapted from real texts: from early on you’ll gain a reading fluency and a sense of the structure and style of Latin sentences. For the bulk of the course you’ll be reading passages adapted from the second-century-BCE comic playwright Plautus. Towards the end of the course, however, you’ll begin to read extracts from the legal speeches which shot Cicero to fame: namely his prosecution of the Roman governor Verres (first century BCE). The course is also a useful introduction to the history and society of the Roman Republic and explores terms, concepts and figures that appear in Exploring the classical world (A219) and the Level 3 course Culture, identity and power in the Roman empire (AA309).
The course materials make the language as accessible as possible for the distance learner and no prior experience of language learning is assumed. The course book provides you with steady support throughout the course and extensive opportunities to reinforce the vocabulary and grammatical concepts you meet. The study guide that accompanies the course is a purpose-written tutorial text designed to help you to find your way around the materials and to get to grips with the challenges of learning Latin. For example, it suggests helpful strategies for learning vocabulary, memorising grammatical forms and for making the most of the exercises and assessed assignments to develop your skills.
The book of texts, Reading Latin: Text, contains a brief introduction to the Roman world of the life of Plautus. The passages that follow, which are based on scenes from three of his plays, provide you with extensive practice at reading Latin and an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the language’s basic structure. Section four moves on to the volatile political situation of Cicero’s day as you can read passages based on his prosecution speeches against Gaius Verres. The assignments test the grammar you meet in these four sections and give you an important opportunity to evaluate your progress as you work through the course.
The book of texts is accompanied by Reading Latin: Grammar, Vocabulary and Exercises, which sets out the grammatical forms and vocabulary as you meet them in your reading. It also contains exercises which provide you with practice at recognising word endings and engaging with Latin sentence structure. The study guide will direct you to the most useful grammar exercises, detailing your set and optional work for each week. Answers to the exercises and English translations of all Latin passages are included in the course materials. The course books also contain interesting discussions on word derivation and aspects of Roman culture. The influence of the language and the survival of much of its vocabulary in modern languages are demonstrated throughout the course.
Two audio CDs give you an opportunity to listen to Latin and to practise pronunciation yourself. You’re also taken through a piece of Latin poetry to demonstrate the way in which Latin’s flexible word order can be manipulated in the hands of a skilful poet – a taster of the richness of Latin literature that awaits you!
This course should certainly set you on the path to reading unadapted Latin in a variety of genres. The follow-on course, Continuing classical Latin (A397), will allow you to take your study of Latin to the next level and to read a broad range of Latin texts in the original. Because the course materials offer a wide range of subject matter drawn from the long history and broad geographical spread of the Latin language, Reading classical Latin has a truly cosmopolitan appeal.
Visit the Department of Classical Studies website to find out more.
Entry
Although this course does not require any knowledge of the Latin language, it demands consistent work and commitment from the beginning. If you have experience of learning an ancient language you will be aware that regular study sessions are the only way to gain and retain a reading knowledge of the language.
This is a Level 2 course and the study skills applicable to it – ability to organise study time; to read and listen closely; to think clearly and logically and to relate text to context – are developed in the Level 1 course The arts past and present (AA100).
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
If you would like our preparatory leaflet, please send an A4, self-addressed envelope without a stamp to the A297 Course Manager, Faculty of Arts, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA.
Qualifications
A297 is an optional course in our
- BA (Honours) Humanities (B03)
- BA (Honours) Humanities (B03) (with Classical Studies)
- BA/BSc (Honours) European Studies (B10)
- BA (Honours) Modern Language Studies (B30)
- Diploma in Classical Studies (D31)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is suitable for a BA. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Sample pages of text are available from the A297 Course Manager, at the address above. The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course materials can also be provided on request. Written transcripts are available for the audio material. The written course material is available in comb-bound format. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, audio CDs, course website.
You will need
CD player.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. But if you unavoidably miss or do badly in an assignment, some courses allow you a ‘substitution score’. In A297 this rule can apply to one assignment only. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2009. It will next be available in October 2010. We then expect it to be available once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Arts and Humanities and Languages.
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