Otacilia Severa, wife of Emperor Philip I, 
"the Arab." Coin dated 247/248 AD
image courtesy of Edgar L. Owen,
Latin 204
Spring 2011

MWF 9:00-9:50 am, CSC 227
games for Rome's 1000th birthday and the
new Saeculum,about 110 years in length
image courtesy of Edgar L. Owen,

Instructor:

Dr. Victor A. Leuci
Newnham Hall 37
592-5324
Home (573) 815-9333 (not after 10:00 pm)
e-mail: victor.leuci@westminster-mo.edu
Web site: www.westminster-mo.edu/wc_users/homepages/faculty/leuciv/index.html
Office Hours: currently MWF 10:05-10:45 am from January 12 to April 27 (check on-line to confirm), and by appointment
Link to bio


Texts:

  • P. Green, transl, The Erotic Poems. Penguin 1983
  • A. D. Melville, transl., Metamorphoses. Oxford Univ Pr. 1998
  • B. R. Nagle transl.,Ovid's Fasti : Roman Holidays. Indiana Univ Pr. 1995
  • C. A. Jestin and P. Katz, Ovid: Amores, Metamorphoses, Selections. Bolchazy-Carducci 1998
  • D. Davis-Henry and C. Perkins, Ovid LEGAMUS: Transitional Reader. Bolchazy-Carducci. 2008
    • Objectives: This course is an introduction to Latin poetry and its conventions with special emphasis on the poems  of Ovid. In addition to the translation and analysis of Latin poetry, you will be responsible for reading and discussing a representative selection of modern criticism on the poetry and/or its cultural context.

    Relationship to the General Education Curriculum (Tier II: Artistic Expression and Critical Appreciation Context-course in literature). Latin 204 provides students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the study of Latin literature: to engage with Latin literature that is representative of significant periods, movements, themes, or figures; to develop the ability to analyze and discuss Latin literature using key terminology and a variety of approaches; to explore the relationships between art and society in order to gain insight into cultural aspects of Roman society and develop a perspective that enhances understanding of the human condition; and to promote an appreciation of the arts.

    Format of Course: Attendance and participation in class are essential for the success of the course. More than 2 unexcused absences will be considered excessive, and make-up work will be accepted only for excused absences. In class we will translate and analyze poems or sections of longer poems. An oral version of the critical summaries and translation/essay projects will be presented in class. Critical essays and sections of relevant books will be assigned during the course of the semester.

    Grading: There will be on average a quiz every week or so (25 pts each). Homework and class participation will count the equivalent of two quizzes (50 pts). There will be 2-4 critical reviews and possibly 1 critical edition (25 pts each). There will be 2-3 exams--1-2 during the semester and 1 during finals week (75 pts each). You may drop your lowest quiz score and your lowest exam score.

    Writing Intensive: Different types of writing will be part of the course: short critical reviews and essay exams. The first two critical reviews will be revised on the basis of a conference with me. Two other writing assignments (either critical reviews or essay exams) must be revised on the basis of conferences with me One of the writing assignments must be revised after a conference with a tutor at the Writing Lab. A critique and conference after the completion of a paper may also occur. In general, participants in the class should highly consider using the services of the Writing Lab and especially the Lab tutors, who can be of tremendous assistance.

    Honor Code: All students and faculty must adhere to the Honor Code; please see the Student Life Handbook for the full description  of the Honor Code--p. 21 in the Student Life Handbook gives a short definition: "No Westminster student shall commit any act of academic dishonesty in order to advance her or his own academic performance, or to impede or advance the academic progress of others," but the sections on plagiarism and cheating are especially important (see Honor Commission Constitution, Article IX).

    College Wide Policies and Procedures: check pdf in Moodle or the Student Life Handbook for the following: ADA/Equal Access Policy, Policy on Harassment and Discrimination, College Duty, Emergency Procedures.

    Attendance:Regular attendance and participation are essential for the success of the class. More than 3 unexcused absences will be considered excessive, and no make-up work will be accepted for all unexcused absences. Each unexcused absence past 3 will result in a 5 point deduction from your overall grade.

    Assignments:Check Moodle for due dates for assignments.