Latin Authors

Teacher(s)

Kachuck Aaron;

Language

French
> English-friendly

Prerequisites

4 hours of Latin during the last four years of secondary education or passing a test at the beginning of the year.

Main themes

Introduction to the reading and commentary of a selection of excerpts from classical Latin literature (in poetry and prose), based on a theme renewed each year.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	translate into correct French representative texts of classical Latin literature of medium level;
2	produce an argumentative commentary on one or more works of Latin literature, including literary, historical and stylistic considerations.

Content

Designed for students in the first semester in FIAL, this course, focused on ideologies of monarchy in the late Roman Republic, is an introduction to the work of Latin authors from the classical period in the original text. This will involve various kinds of work: translation and grammatical, linguistic, historical, literary and cultural commentary. For the translation and comprehension of Latin authors, this course will highlight the linguistic and cultural reference points for today's readers in the literary production of Latin antiquity. Course readings will include material in both poetry and prose.

Teaching methods

Interactive Lectures. In order to best achieve the pedagogical objectives of this course, all participants are expected to prepare in advance the Latin and French texts to be discussed, to allow for interactive discussions. Questions, notes, and additional passages to guide the grammatical, syntactical, literary, political, and cultural study of the course texts are included in the course materials; participants should use these questions, notes, and additional passages to prepare for class.

Evaluation methods

Ongoing assessment through in-class translation tests (50%). These tests may also include grammar questions. The test with the lowest score will be withdrawn and the final score for this section will be the average of the remaining scores. Only absences officially excused by the Faculty will be made up for by appointment with the professor; the professor reserves the right to hold such make-up tests orally rather than in written form.

In-session written examination (50%): a "guided-essay" on one or more passages taken from the course readings (from the Main Texts in Latin and the Texts to be read at least in translation), but requiring the integration of literary, historical and stylistic knowledge acquired throughout the course.

The final grade will be calculated on the weighted averages of the translation tests (50%) and the in-session exam (50%).

It is imperative that students try to succeed in the January session, thus avoiding as far as possible having to sit or retake the exam in the June or August/September sessions. 

The June exam will take the form of an oral exam, with the same basic format as the written exam, covering translation, grammar and syntax questions (50%), as well as a discussion of a question and one or more passages on the basis of a critical question(s) (50%). The exam for the August/September session will take the same form as the June exam.

Other information

English-friendly course: course taught in French but offering facilities in English.

Online resources

Please consult the Moodle for all course materials.

Bibliography

Précisée en début d'année.

Teaching materials

• Entièrement et gratuitement disponible en ligne; veuillez consulter le moodle.

Faculty or entity

FIAL