INTRODUCTION TO LATIN FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The class aims to provide a basic command of the classical Latin language used in ancient Rome, through the study of such a specific textual category as that of Latin inscriptions. Latin grammar and texts will be studies in parallel and progressively, in order to develop the students’ ability to read and understand simple texts. During the course, students will be invited to study-walks throughout Venice to see and read inscriptions located in town, either in open air or in the Archaeological Museum. This innovative approach to learning Latin may prove especially useful to students of any degree programme dealing with the Classical World, as well as the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

N.B. Students cannot attend classes or take exams if they are not officially enrolled in this course. For any information about the SIE English-taught courses for exchange students, please visit this webpage: https://www.unive.it/pag/35228/

Students are expected to get a basic knowledge of the essentials of classical Latin, which may conveniently serve the needs of any degree programme dealing with the Classical World, as well as the Middle Ages and the Renaissance – where Latin texts are heavily present. In addition, students are expected to learn about the Roman past of the Lagoon area and the persistence of Roman antiquities in Venice.

No particular requirements needed. The course is open to all students of any degree programme in the Humanities area.

The class aims at illustrating the basic aspects of classical Latin grammar in an innovative way. Given the nature of Latin inscriptions, which are highly standardized and offer simple and recurrent phrasing and wording, Latin inscriptions from the Venice area will be presented and studied as textual models upon which students will learn how to read and understand Latin at entry level. In the meantime, each text presented in class will be analyzed in the light of its specific social and historical context. Dedicated walk-sessions in town will allow students to see the inscriptions studied in class in their current context, and students will be asked to contribute with short presentations concerning the inscriptions.

Teaching material uploaded to Moodle. In addition, extracts from:
• A basic Latin grammar book: Jean François R. Mondon, Intensive Basic Latin: A Grammar and Workbook, London: Routledge, 2014.
• An introduction to Latin epigraphy: Alison E. Cooley, The Cambridge Manual of Latin Epigraphy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012.

Assessment will include a practical part during the course (reading an understanding a Latin inscription in Venice) and an individual interview at the end of the course.

Regular class sessions; visits on field.

Full attendance, though not mandatory, is highly recommended. Classes will include interactive segments where students will have the opportunity to test their linguistic skills progressively. The Latin inscriptions studied in class will be experienced on field during visits scheduled toward the end of the course.

N.B. Students cannot attend classes or take exams if they are not officially enrolled in this course. For any information about the SIE English-taught courses for exchange students, please visit this webpage: https://www.unive.it/pag/35228/

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development