This course is to study Classical Latin grammar. Classical Latin had been used in the Roman Empire. All the present European languages, except Finish and Hungarian, originnated from Latin. Therefore, studying Classical Latin will deepen the understandings of the present European languages. At the time of the Golden Age of Roman literature, around 100BC to 100 AD, many works were produced by great writers and poets such as Cicero, Virgil, Ovid, Caesar and Livy. Medieval Latin had been used for a long time in the world of Christianity in Europe, and is stil used in Roman Catholic Church. As the Latin language has not been changed much through time, Classical and Medieval Latin are not so different. We will learn Classical Latin in our class, but it will enable you to read Medieval Latin and Christian texts as well. Since Latin was also used as the common language of science and it appears in scientific terms, it will be very useful for scientists to learn the Latin language.
By studying Classical Latin, students will be able to read Latin original texts directly, rather than in translations. They will notice how many important and valuable messages are contained in these texts. Also they will be surprised at how vivid the messges are; they have not become obsolete, but keep on having fresh impact still now, even though they were written more than 2000 years ago. European culture received Greek and Roman civilization through Latin language. Therefore, by studying Latin language, students will get deeper understandings of European culture.
Classical Latin
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Grammatical explanations are given at class, and exercises are required as homework assignments.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
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Class 1 | Future, present and past perfect | Memorize conjugation of verbs (future, present and past perfect). |
Class 2 | Imperatives | Memorize conjugation of imperatives. |
Class 3 | Third declention of nouns | Memorize the third declention of nouns. |
Class 4 | Comparatives | Memorize conjugation of comparatives. |
Class 5 | Forth declention of nouns. Participles | Memorize the forth declention of nouns, and participles. |
Class 6 | Fifth declention of nouns | Memorize the fifth declention of nouns. |
Class 7 | Irregular verbs. Ablative abusolutes | Understand the irregular verbs, and ablative absolute. |
Class 8 | Examination |
C. Matsudaira and K. Kunihara, Shin-raten bunpou, Toyoshuppan, 1997
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Examination(70%), homework assignments(30%)
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