In this class students will be introduced to the fundamentals of Latin grammar and to core Latin vocabulary. Because the class will treat Latin primarily as a written language, all linguistic material will be introduced and reinforced through reading Latin text. We will read about the life of a young Roman who eventually grew up to become one of the most famous poets of his era. Along the way we will explore important aspects of Roman daily life, literature, history, and mythology and religion. Students will also expand their English vocabulary as we discuss derivatives from Latin roots. Weekly homework exercises will be assigned, and students will also be required to provide written responses to readings on Roman culture.
Instructor: Alice Brigance
Instructor Bio: Alice Brigance is originally from New Zealand. She came to America in 1999 for graduate studies at Cornell, where she received an M.A. in Classics. After living and teaching in Connecticut, DC, New Orleans, and Reno, she finally returned, like Odysseus, to Ithaca. She finds nothing more rewarding than to guide a student from mastering the first declension to reading unadapted Latin literature, and her favorite Latin authors include Propertius, Lucretius, and Ovid. When she is not teaching, she is growing flowers, baking, or writing fiction.
Required Materials: pen or pencil; notebook and folder or looseleaf notebook; index cards; Oxford Latin Course, 2nd Edition: Part 1 and Part 2
TEEN DAY Ithaca 