Latin 101
Goals and Requirements

Goals:

Rerum Natura (Nature), our Latin program, introduces the Latin language through ancient Natural history.  We have several interrelated goals:

• To learn how to use the Latin language effectively at a basic level.  This means learning essential grammar and vocabulary, working with it enough actively to get an ingrained sense of how Latin works, and especially, reading Latin, both adapted and real.  The Romans can only communicate with us through the words they left, so reading is our main focus; but language can only be learned through active engagement, so we use Latin actively too.
• To learn something about the Roman perspective on natural history, science, and technology, so that this cultural information consolidates the vocabulary and readings we do on these topics.  Reading a language is much easier if you know what you’re reading about.  Culture helps you learn the language, and also provides a link between your new language skills and other areas of knowledge that apply to the modern world.
• To observe the connections between Latin and modern scientific, medical, and other survivals of Latin in modern English.  Latin is fundamental to the vocabularies of all scientific disciplines, especially biology and medicine.  Our focus on natural history makes it easier for us to make the connection between Latin for its own sake, and Latin as you may encounter it in other studies.
• To observe our own learning styles and learning strategies, and use this knowledge consciously to learn Latin more effectively.  Your approach to learning is as important as your teacher’s approach to teaching.  Finding the right way – the way that suits your preferences – to approach the program, will allow you to control your learning process.  We will spend some class time looking at what strategies individuals have found helpful, and construct plans for dealing with the difficult elements of the course.

Requirements

• Attendance is mandatory.  You are allowed three absences, for whatever reason, during the semester.  Additional absences result in a one point deduction from your final grade per day missed.
• Midterm and Final Exam (50%):  They count equally. 
• Quizzes and Graded Homework (50%):  We will have a quiz every Thursday.  Sometimes I will give you a graded homework assignment on material we have gone over in class, to test your mastery.  Quizzes may not be made up but I allow a drop.  Late homeworks get a grade of 50%.

 Other Information:

• Textbook: Rerum Natura, a coursepack.  You may also want to get a Latin dictionary.
• Your professor: Andrea Deagon, Lakeside Hall 273, 962-3870, deagona@uncw.edu.  Office hours TR 2-3:15, but I am often in at other times as well.  Feel free to call or drop by at any time; I can make an appointment to meet you if my office hours are not convenient.
• Honor code: This course operates in accordance with the honor code of UNC-Wilmington.
• Grade Scale: The grade scale of UNC-Wilmington’s Dept. of Foreign Languages and Literatures:  
  • A = 100-93, A- = 92-90
  • B+ = 89-87, B = 86-83, B- = 82-80
  • C+ = 79-77, C = 76-73, C- = 72-70
  • D+ = 69-67, D = 66-63, D- = 62-60
  • F = 59 or below

Daily Assignments

For daily assignments, use the Assignments page.  Below is a blank "schedule" so you have an overview of the semester, with quizzes and midterms marked.

Exam:

• Section 1 (11:00): Thursday, Dec. 11, 11:30-2:30

• Section 2 (12:30): Saturday, Dec. 6, 11:30-2:30