Welcome to Latin 3013: Caesar's De Bello Gallico
Spring, 2007
University of Arkansas
Professor Daniel B. Levine
Temple of Hercules Victor. Forum Boarium. c. 120 BCE
SYLLABUS
Introduction
This semester we will read Latin, write Latin, and read in English Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic Wars (58-51 BCE). We will consider some modern scholarship on the work, which has become a classic of the Classics.
Caesar's Centrality and Availability
For generations, students in the western world learned Latin by reading the Comentarii of C. Julius Caesar because its style is so clean, its grammar so regular, and the stories so exciting. Unfortunately, Caesar as an author has fallen out of fashion in Latin classrooms (as has Xenophon, who was the Greek school equivalent). As a result, there is a paucity of in-print Latin commentaries on Caesar's Gallic Wars, and few courses on the subject. This will not stop us! The professor will distribute copies of out-of-print commentaries on De Bello Gallico to help students in their readings.
Latin Prose Composition: Key to Grammar
The best way to learn a language is to use it. To this end, we will regularly write Latin, using one of the most time-honored handbooks for Latin Prose Composition: "Bradley's Arnold." This is a fine text, with clear explanations of Latin usage, a very helpful general vocabulary, and exercises tied closely to the explanations and the vocabulary. We will spend several classes devoted to trying to write like Caesar.
Writing On Topic: Primary and Secondary Sources
Students will have the chance to analyze and respond to both the text of the Gallic Wars, and the most recent book published about them. In the first part of the semester students will write an essay based on their own observations on Caesar's text, and at the end of the semester, they will read, summarize, and analyze the ideas of Andrew Riggsby's book Caesar in Gaul and Rome: War in Words.
Course Goals
To read as much Latin as we can.
To practice writing Latin in order to solidify knowledge of Latin grammar.
To write observations about some aspect of De Bello Gallico.
To speak well about Caesar's work and modern scholarship.
To read scholarship on De Bello Gallico.
To learn etymologies of 40 English words.
To have fun learning.
Required Texts:
1. C. Iuli Caesaris Commentariorum Pars Prior Qua Continentur Libri VII de Bello Gallico cum A. Hirti Supplemento. Ed. Renatus Du Pontet. Oxford text.
2. Caesar The Gallic War. A New Translation by Carolyn Hammond (Oxford World's Classics).
3. Bradley's Arnold Latin Prose Composition, ed. J. F. Mountford.
4. A good Latin-English lexicon. Cassell's is fine.
5. The Magister will distribute supplementary materials, including photocopied commentaries on the Latin of De Bello Gallico, and excerpts from Andrew Riggsby's CAESAR IN GAUL IN ROME (2006, Univ. of Texas).
Class Activities:
1. Reading selections aloud in Latin from De Bello Gallico, translation into English; discussion of grammar.
2. Each class will begin with the presentation of a 'secret word.' Students will receive these word assignments on the first day of class. Guidelines for presenting Secret Words may be found by clicking here.
3. In the second half of the semester, each student will read and report on a chapter from andrew Riggsby's CAESAR IN GAUL AND ROME: WAR IN WORDS. Each student will choose a chapter, and write a two-page (maximum!) summary of its contents, which they will distribute to the class on the day of their report, and will give an oral presentation of the main ideas in the chapter. Chapters are between 20 and 30 pages in length. Click Here For List of Chapters.
4. Students will write a midterm examination which will involve translating seen and unseen texts from Latin into English. The midterm examination will be given in class on Monday, 05 March.
5. Students will write a final examination which will involve translating seen and unseen texts from Latin into English. The final examination will be on Wednesday, 09 May, from 10:00 a.m to noon.
6. Students will write an essay on De Bello Gallico, and present the basic ideas of the essay to the class in an oral report. Please choose one of the following topics before January 26. Essays are due before class on Monday, February 26. Click Here For List of Essay Topics and Guidelines for Your Essays.
7. Latin Prose Composition. Students will use Bradley's Arnold Latin Prose Composition to review Latin grammar and syntax. Students will compose Latin sentences in an attempt to imitate Caesar's style.
Students With Disabilities
If you are registered with the Center for Students with Disabilities (http://www.uark.edu/ua/csd/) for the purpose of accommodation, please inform the professor before the semester begins, or in the first week of class, and bring all relevant paperwork to his office in a timely fashion.
Homework and Study Hints
Please do not write out translations of the Latin you read. Please do not write translation aids in your textbooks. Do your best to read the sentences and make sense of the grammar without these aids.
1. Read the sentence aloud in Latin.
2. Read it again, trying to ascertain the grammatical structure of the sentence (subject, verb, object, participles, prepositional phrases, etc.)
3. Look up words you do not know. Look in Commentaries if available. Write down the definitions of the words, and note their forms.
4. Read the sentence again, putting grammar and vocabulary together to make a literal meaning.
Try to do your homework somewhere where you can read aloud. Learning a foreign language requires you to hear the sounds the words make. It is always a good idea to look at upcoming assignments and see what the homework will be, so you can be prepared and plan your time wisely. You might even want to work ahead.
Inclement Weather Policy
Students may make up work missed if they cannot come to class because of inclement weather. If the University is open, we will hold scheduled classes. Please do not call to find out if we will hold class; if the University is open, class will go on.
Grades
Grades will be based on Secret Word Presentations (5%), class participation (20%), midterm examination (15%), Written Work (20%), Oral Presentations (10%), Latin Prose Compositions (15%), final examination (15%).
Professor Office Hours and Contact Information
Daniel B. Levine: MWF 9:30-10:20 a.m. and by appointment. Kimpel Hall 502.
Contact Professor Levine: dlevine@uark.edu
Telephone: Main Offic (Foreign languages) 479-575-2951
Telephone: Professor Levine's Desk: 479-575-6795
FAX: 479-575-6795
Leave Messages in Mailbox: Kimpel Hall 425, DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES.