W h y L a t i n ?
One of the most
PRACTICAL
benefits of studying Latin for high-schoolers is boosting verbal skills
and scores on tests like the SAT; students with two or more years of
Latin
typically score 140-160 points higher on the SAT than their Latin-less
peers. Numerous studies have demonstrated a significant positive
correlation
between studying Latin and improved scores on a variety of tests and
even
with college GPA and performance in college English classes. Of course,
even more important is the broadened cultural perspective that comes
with
studying Greco-Roman civilization, a major component of the high-school
Latin curriculum. The Roman world exerted enormous influences on our
own
culture, so that to be ignorant of Roman civilization is to be ignorant
of our own roots. An important consideration too for our own
multicultural
society is the fact that the Greco-Roman world was what I like to call
the "archetypal multiculture." The Roman empire at its greatest extent
included all the peoples living around the Mediterranean Sea and the
widely
disparate cultures of not only Europe but also Asia, the Near East, and
North Africa. Rome was thus a cultural melting pot and the lessons we
can
learn from the world of Rome are invaluable to all of us in America
today.
b y R i c h a r
d
A . L a F l e u r , F r a n k l i n
P r o f e s s o r o f C l a s s i c s
T h e P r a c t i
c a l B e n e f i t s o f S t u d y
i n g L a t i n
P i n k e r t o n ' s L a t i
n
C u r r i c u l u m
L A T I N I B
This full-year classical language elective is
designed
for the student who has had no previous Latin study. The course
introduces
the student to the fundamentals, i.e., declensions and conjugations, of
a classical language. Latin word order is analyzed and sentences are
translated.
Vocabulary acquisition is reinforced with English derivatives obtained
from Latin. Mythology, the culture of the Romans, and in alternate
years,
medical and legal Latin will be studied. The approach focuses on
memorization,
reading, and writing exercises. The student will be able to read,
translate
elementary Latin, and acquire a basic understanding of Roman life and
its
impact on our society today.
L A T I N I I A
This full-year classical language elective is
designed
for accelerated students who have successfully completed one year of
formal
study of Latin grammar, along with deeper grammatical focus. In
preparation
for the reading of excerpts from various Roman authors, the course
continues
the study of Latin grammar with a proficiency-based approach, including
subordinate clause structures. Additional topics in Roman and Greek
culture
will be related to the readings. Enriched vocabulary acquisition will
be
reinforced with English derivatives obtained from Latin and, in
alternate
years, medical and legal Latin will be studied. The approach focuses on
reading and translating with a dictionary, with a pace reflective of an
advanced level of proficiency, including additional material and
appropriately
developed assessment.
L A T I N I I B
This full-year classical language elective is
designed
for students who have successfully completed one year of formal study
of
Latin grammar. In preparation for the reading of excerpts from various
Roman authors, the course continues the study of Latin grammar,
including
subordinate clause structures. Additional topics in Roman and Greek
culture
will be related to the readings. Expanded vocabulary acquisition will
be
reinforced with English derivatives obtained from Latin and, in
alternate
years, medical and legal Latin will be studied. The approach focuses on
reading and translating with a dictionary.
L A T I N I I I B
This full-year classical language elective is for
students
who have successfully completed two years of the study of Latin. The
translation
of the excerpts First and Third Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero will
be supported by the study of their historical background and Cicero’s
public
speaking techniques. The approach focuses on reading and translation
supported
by grammar and vocabulary study. The student will be able to understand
the main points of the First and Third Catilinarian Orations. Excerpts
of the De Officiis will also be studied to understand the ethics of
ancient
Rome. Comparisons and contrasts to our culture will be discussed.
H O N O R S L A T I N I V
This full-year classical language elective is
designed
for students who have successfully completed and excelled in three
years
of the study of Latin. Virgil’s Aeneid Books I, II, and VI will be
translated.
In addition, supplementary reading will be included to provide
historical,
cultural, and literary perspective. Advanced grammar, seen in context,
will be presented as encountered. Other authors contemporary to Virgil
may be read in translation and interpreted. Participation and
expression,
both verbal and written is expected.
L A T I N I V A
This full-year classical language elective is for students who have successfully completed three years of the study of Latin. Books I, II, and VI of Virgil’s Aeneid are translated. The approach focuses on reading, metrical reading, the qualities of epic literature, and translation supported by grammar and vocabulary study. The student will be able to read and translate the Aeneid of Publius Vergilius Maro.