LfA Classical Latin Intermediate - LFA00288L

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Module summary

This module allows students to gain a thorough grounding in all major complex sentence constructions used in Latin literature. By the end of the course, they will be able to translate a range of primary source material in both prose and poetic form. Students will also be introduced to elements of Roman culture in order to develop an understanding of the society in which such literature was produced.

Related modules

LfA Classical Latin Lower Intermediate / Classical Latin: Lower Intermediate or equivalent.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Semester 1 2024-25 to Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

This module will steadily build the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to examine and interpret a range of Classical Latin documents over the course of the year and develop a comprehensive knowledge of Latin translation skills at intermediate level.

Students will engage, individually and in groups, in comprehension activities and tasks emphasising three core research skills:

1. reception activities (reading comprehension);
2. production activities (prose composition);
3. analytical activities (cultural context & literary style).

The mediums of instruction are English and Latin.

Module learning outcomes

• The ability to recognise and employ a broad range of Latin vocabulary from across different literary genres, as well as a sophisticated appreciation of Latin morphology and the historical relationship between the Latin and English languages.
• The ability to understand and deploy an advanced range of complex sentence constructions, in order to engage with and interpret a range of Latin source material in both prose and poetic form.
• The ability to compose sentences from English into Latin that incorporate an enhanced range of complex syntactical constructions, in order to support and develop grammatical learning.
• A sophisticated understanding of the Roman world and its literature, which enables the student to critically evaluate a range of source material in relation to the politics and culture of the society in which it was created.

Module content

Translation Passages

This module aims to build translation confidence through exposure to a range of Latin texts, which will include:

• Modern adaptations of Classical Latin texts that allow students to practice specific grammatical constructions
• Selections of Classical Latin prose from authors such as Cicero, Pliny and Suetonius
• Selections of Classical Latin poetry from authors such Horace, Lucan and Ovid

Grammar topics at Intermediate Level:

• Review of subjunctive constructions covered at Lower Intermediate Level
• Cum clauses
• The use of the relative pronoun with the subjunctive
• Impersonal verbs, plus the impersonal passive
• Verbs of Fearing
• Time and Place
• Direct and Indirect Questions
• Constructions using quominus and quin

Seminars will include a range of different exercises including both translation (Latin to English) and prose composition (English to Latin) to help explain and build grammatical knowledge, with plenty of opportunities for revision as the semester progresses.

Latin Culture: The Darker Side of Rome (Malice, Magic, Treachery and Deceit)

Whilst many leaders of Rome proclaimed that her empire brought peace, prosperity, and civilisation to its inhabitants, surviving sources also reveal a much darker and sinister side to the city concealed beneath her glimmering façade of marble and gold. Through integrating archaeological, historical, and literary evidence, this module will explore the deadlier side of Roman society from the mechanisms of the slave trade that underpinned her empire, to murder trials, imperial coups, and the witches with their evil spells, who haunted Rome’s graveyards.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Departmental - attendance requirement	100

Special assessment rules

Pass/fail & Non-reassessable

Additional assessment information

The course is non-assessed but students will receive an LfA Certificate of Completion if they participate in at least 13 sessions out of 18.

Indicative reassessment

None

Module feedback

Regular homework tasks will provide opportunities for ongoing feedback on progress.

In addition, students will have the opportunity to complete coursework. Its purpose is not to provide a summative assessment of students’ performance but to provide the basis for relevant tutor’s feedback and feedforward.

Indicative reading

Course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenors via the VLE at the start of the year.