Latin: Lower Intermediate - Part 1



Overview

This course will cover the grammar in sections 3A-D and 4A of Jones’ and Sidwell’s Reading Latin: Grammar and Exercises, i.e. taking up where the previous module (Latin: Beginners - Part 2) stopped. New students at the appropriate level of proficiency are welcome.

Each week, we will complement our grammar learning by reading selected passages from Reading Latin: Text and Vocabulary, sections 3(A-D); we will gain insights into early Roman legends and history. We will also begin reading from section 4A, an adaptation of Cicero’s second oration against Verres.

Programme details

Courses starts: 19 Sep 2023

Details of the key grammar and syntactic structures to be covered as listed below.

Week 0: Course Orientation.

Week 1: Pronouns: revision of ille and hic; the pronoun is. The accusative of time.

Week 2: Adjectives: comparative and superlative.

Week 3: Verbs: perfect indicative deponent; semi-deponents; perfect participles deponent.

Week 4: Verbs: consolidation. Irregular adverbs. Personal pronouns and possessive adjectives: revision; sē and suus.

Week 5: Verbs: future participles; perfect participles of active verbs; principal parts.

Week 6: Pronouns : īdem, nēmo. Comparative and superlative adverbs. The interrogative particle nōnne.

Week 7: Datives: revision; new usages. 

Week 8: Verbs: imperfect tense, active and deponent; revision of infinitives.

Week 9: Verbs: perfect and future infinitives. Syntax: reported statements.

Week 10: Revision of reported statements. Pronouns: iste, quīdam.

Certification

Students who attend a minimum of 70% of classes will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £251.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Mrs Elena Vacca

Elena Giulia Vacca is a Classicist specialising in Comparative Literature and Classical Reception in Russian Literature. She lectures in Latin Language at the University of Oxford and is also a Classics tutor for Latin and Classical Greek in City Literary Institute of London. She is currently working on her PhD project at the University of Oxford. She also teaches Italian as a foreign language (L2) in the Italian Cultural Institute of London.

Course aims

To consolidate and broaden students' knowledge of Latin grammar, syntax and vocabulary and familiarise them with aspects of the culture; to develop students' confidence in translating extended Latin texts.

Course objectives: 

  • To revise and consolidate the Latin grammar studied to date.
  • To expand students' knowledge of verbs, adjectives, pronouns, uses of the cases, and familiarise them with some more complex syntax.
  • To expand the range of Latin vocabulary.
  • To examine Latin texts at the appropriate level of difficulty.
  • To discuss the myths of the foundation of Rome, and some events of its early and late republican history.

Teaching methods

Structure: The course comprises two weekly sessions:

  • a one-hour pre-recorded lecture;
  • a one-hour live session.

Students will have to watch the pre-recorded lecture ahead of the live session, and they will be encouraged to study in their own time and complete short weekly assignments.

Methods:

  • pre-recorded lectures: guided grammar revision; new grammar/syntax explanations; targeted grammar and translation exercises; guided textual analysis and translation;
  • live sessions: Q&A time; group activities on grammar and vocabulary; small-group and plenary reading. 

 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will:

  • have learnt some new tenses, comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs, and several new pronouns;
  • become familiar with perfect and future participles and with an important syntactical construction, the indirect statement;
  • have acquired some new vocabulary items and idioms;
  • be able to read with confidence Latin texts at the appropriate level of difficulty;
  • be prepared to undertake the module Latin: Lower Intermediate - Part 2.

Assessment methods

You will be set short, optional weekly tasks to consolidate your learning and help you progress at your own pace.

A summative assessment will be set at the end of the course, to confirm that the aims have been met.

Application

We will close for enrolments 7 days prior to the start date to allow us to complete the course set up. We will email you at that time (7 days before the course begins) with further information and joining instructions. As always, students will want to check spam and junk folders during this period to ensure that these emails are received.

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

Requirements: at the beginning of the course, you will already be familiar with the grammar covered in sections 1(A-G) and 2(A-E) of Jones’ and Sidwell’s Reading Latin: Grammar and Exercises. You will have experience in reading, analysing and translating extended Latin passages (appropriately adapted).

Most of the Department's weekly classes have 10 or 20 CATS points assigned to them. 10 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of ten 2-hour sessions. 20 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of twenty 2-hour sessions. It is expected that, for every 2 hours of tuition you are given, you will engage in eight hours of private study.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support