Latin 211
Fall, '20
Meets on Microsoft Teams TTr 11:40-12:55
Professor: Jacques A. Bailly
Office Hours: this is a small class and I don't have a huge number
of students: just email me and suggest a time. I can call you on a
phone or we can meet in teams/skype, etc.
but my official office hours, because I am required to post them,
are
Monday 12-1 PM, Tuesday 1-2 PM, Thursday 8:30-9:30 AM
Texts: "Bradley's Arnold"
Latin Prose Composition and Tunberg/Minkova's Readings and Exercises
in Latin Prose Composition
Procedure: We willcover 2
chapters of Bradley's Arnold per week, due on Tuesdays and do one
stylistic analysis per week, due on Thurs.
1) I explain the material for the next set of exercises, 2)
you do composition and fill-in exercises and 3) before class, post
them on a google document that you have shared with me (you set it
up), 4) correct them as best you can during class. 5) I will go over
them: it is not clear to me at this point whether I can correct them
all or not. As I see it, doing them and reviewing them in class is
the main event here. I will certainly note whether they are done on
time.
You will also be required to read, think about, and offer stylistic
observations about passages of Latin. These should fall into two
parts: the raw data (i.e. things you notice offered in a bulleted
list with precise quotation of the Latin) and a prose synthesis that
offers intelligent discussion in formal English about the passages
and their styles. About 250 words will be a fine length. Post these
to your Google document by class time. Be ready to share your
observations in class.
A note about forms: This
class assumes that you know how to decline and conjugate Classical
Latin words correctly.
Latin Prose Composition: You will write two free compositions
in Latin, one due Oct. 29 and one due the Thursday after TGVG break.
Your composition should be 150 words or more. It is up to you what
you want to do.
Final and midterm: The
final and midterm(s) will be take-home examinations very much like
the exercises plus some stylistic activities. The final will be due
at the scheduled time of the final. The midterm will be due Oct. 15.
Grades: You earn grades. I
record them.
Your completion before class and your correction in class of the
exercises will contribute 25% of your grades (absence means a 0 for
that day and cannot be made up). I will drop two of these
assignments.
Thursdays' Activities connected with prose style will account for
25% of your grade.
The final and midterm will be worth 15% of your grade each.
Your free prose compositions will be worth 10% each.
91-100% = A
81-90% = B
etc.
“+” or “-” are for the top and bottom three percentage points of the
ranges, respectively.
My Philosophy: The endings
justify the meanings, as the trite t-shirt says. Latin prose
composition solidifies your knowledge of Latin grammar and
internalizes parts of Latin internal so that you need not think
about them. Your reading of Latin should become more fluid as a
result. As with all humanities, the actual activity of doing Latin
has no use. It transcends use and is "just" an alarmingly difficult
yet satisfying activity to make life more interesting and
worthwhile: in other words, it itself constitutes activity in
keeping with the nature of being human and so is an end in itself,
one of the things that life is for. There is, however, no denying
that it will make your mind sharper in many ways having to do with
verbal ability, flexibility, and discipline, valuable and rare
commodities in our economy, which may help you to acquire the means
to support further more important useless efforts.
Another way to put it: Some people ask "If it's not fun, why do it?"
To me, that's of a vapid life or someone who simply hasn't thought
about life enough. Sometimes, dare I say it, we do it because it's
right, or because it's challenging, or because others need it, or
because we aren't really just here to get our kicks. Satisfaction in
a feat accomplished, a skill acquired, an improvement to the world,
is more important and lasting than a bunch of fun piled up in the
past that is now gone leaving only echoes.
Another way to put it: I don't want to be happy as much as I want to
be involved, capable, interested, and interesting. Being happy is
nice, even necessary, sure, but so is breathing and digesting, and I
don't live to breathe or digest.
MORE IMPORTANT and USEFUL STUFF:
Technical support for students:
Students, please read the technology check list to make sure you are
ready for classes:
https://www.uvm.edu/it/kb/student-technology-resources/
Students should contact the Helpline (802-656-2604) for support with
technical issues.
Pre-requisites or co-requisites: advanced Latin ability: you
should be doing extremely well in intermediate Latin or, preferable,
comfortable in 200-level Latin reading courses.
Requirements fulfilled: 1 humanities course in the College
of Arts and Sciences
Required Course Materials:
A subscription to Merriam-Webster's unabridged online dictionary.
Other than that, all material is available either from the course
website or electronically from the Howe Library.
One of the most important resources available from the Howe Library
is the Oxford English Dictionary, which will be used
extensively in this course.
Required platforms and software:
Microsoft Teams may be used to create presentations, to hold
some meetings, and to access/take the course remotely.
Internet access and the standard suite of software, such as
PowerPoint, Word, etc. may also be used to create and/or access
course material.
Google documents will be used to work together.
The course website is not on Blackboard.
Attendance Policy:
Revising your exercises and discussing your stylistic analyses is an
essential part of this course. You must attend regularly. Talk to me
about absences BEFOREHAND whenever possible.
Classroom Environment Expectations:
At all times, but especially in the era of covidiocy, patience,
respect, and kindness are required of all of us. You need to
approach everything about this course at all times with patience,
respect, and kindness.
But should you become sick (with COVID-19 or any other illness) such
that you cannot attend class at all for more than the 4 sessions,
please contact me as well as your dean's office ASAP.
The Green and Gold Promise clearly articulates the
expectations that UVM has for students, faculty, and staff to remain
compliant with all COVID-19 recommendations from the federal CDC,
the State of Vermont, and the City of Burlington. This include
following all rules regarding facial coverings and social
distancing. The Code of Student Conduct outlines policies related to
violations of the Green and Gold Promise. Sanctions for
violations include fines, educational sanctions, parent
notification, probation, and suspension.
Attendance and illness/isolation/quarantine:
If you need to isolate or quarantine, Student Health Services will
inform your Dean’s office. I will contact the dean’s office for
confirmation that a student is in quarantine or isolation. Since the
course is more remote then not, students in isolation or quarantine
who are able to keep working will keep working as usual. If you are
too ill to do the work, we'll have to talk about possibilities: I
will expect you to make it up, but in a flexible way.
Recording Class Sessions:
Our class sessions may/will be audiovisually recorded for students
in the class to refer back to, and for other enrolled students who
are unable to attend live. Students who participate with their
camera engaged or utilize a profile image are agreeing to have their
video or image recorded. If you are unwilling to consent to
have your profile or video image recorded, be sure to keep your
camera off and do not use a profile image. Likewise, students who
un-mute during class and participate orally are agreeing to have
their voices recorded. If you are not willing to consent to
have your voice recorded during class, you will need to keep your
mute button activated and communicate exclusively using the "chat"
feature, which allows students to type questions and comments live.
Research and Citation Help
For help selecting research topics, finding information, citing
sources, and more, ask a librarian. Although we’re working remotely,
they are eager to help. You may ask questions by phone, e-mail,
chat, or text, or make an appointment for an individual consultation
with a librarian.
Howe Library: https://library.uvm.edu/askhowe
Dana Medical Library: https://dana.uvm.edu/help/ask
Silver Special Collections Library:
https://specialcollections.uvm.edu/help/ask
Course Evaluation:
All students are expected to complete an evaluation of the course at
its conclusion. Evaluations will be anonymous and confidential, and
the information gained, including constructive criticisms, will be
used to improve the course.
General statement regarding potential changes during the
semester:
http://catalogue.uvm.edu/
The University of Vermont reserves the right to make changes in the
course offerings, mode of delivery, degree requirements, charges,
regulations, and procedures contained herein as educational,
financial, and health, safety, and welfare considerations require,
or as necessary to be compliant with governmental, accreditation, or
public health directives.
Green and Gold Promise:
The Green and Gold Promise clearly articulates the expectations that
UVM has for students, faculty, and staff to remain compliant with
all COVID-19 recommendations from the federal CDC, the State of
Vermont, and the City of Burlington.
The Code of Student Conduct outlines policies related to violations
of the Green and Gold Promise. Sanctions for violations
include fines, educational sanctions, parent notification,
probation, and suspension.
Intellectual Property Statement/Prohibition on Sharing Academic
Materials:
Students are prohibited from sharing or selling academic
materials that they did not author (for example: class syllabus,
outlines or class presentations authored by the professor, practice
questions, text from the textbook or other copyrighted class
materials, etc.); and students are prohibited from sharing
assessments(for example homework or a take-home examination).
Violations will be handled under UVM’s Intellectual Property policy
and Code of Academic Integrity.
Student Learning Accommodations:
In keeping with University policy, any student with a documented
disability interested in utilizing ADA accommodations should contact
Student Accessibility Services (SAS), the office of Disability
Services on campus for students. SAS works with students and
faculty in an interactive process to explore reasonable and
appropriate accommodations, which are communicated to faculty in an
accommodation letter. All students are strongly recommended to
discuss with their faculty the accommodations they plan to use in
each course. Faculty who receive Letters of Accommodation with
Disability Related Flexible accommodations will need to fill out the
Disability Related Flexibility Agreement. Any questions from
faculty or students on the agreement should be directed to the SAS
specialist who is indicated on the letter.
Contact SAS:
A170 Living/Learning Center;
802-656-7753
access@uvm.edu
www.uvm.edu/access
Important UVM Policies
Religious Holidays:
Students have the right to practice the religion of their choice. If
you need to miss class to observe a religious holiday, please
submit the dates of your absence to me in writing by the end of
the second full week of classes. You will be permitted to make
up work within a mutually agreed-upon time.
https://www.uvm.edu/registrar/religious-holidays
Academic Integrity:
The policy addresses plagiarism, fabrication, collusion, and
cheating.
https://www.uvm.edu/policies/student/acadintegrity.pdf
Grade Appeals:
If you would like to contest a grade, please follow the procedures
outlined in this policy:
https://www.uvm.edu/policies/student/gradeappeals.pdf
Grading:
For information on grading and GPA calculation, go to
https://www.uvm.edu/registrar/grades
Code of Student Conduct:
http://www.uvm.edu/policies/student/studentcode.pdf
FERPA Rights Disclosure:
The purpose of this policy is to communicate the rights of students
regarding access to, and privacy of their student educational
records as provided for in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA) of 1974.
http://catalogue.uvm.edu/undergraduate/academicinfo/ferparightsdisclosure/
Promoting Health & Safety:
The University of Vermont's number one priority is to support
a healthy and safe community:
Center for Health and Wellbeing:
https://www.uvm.edu/health
Counseling & Psychiatry Services (CAPS)
Phone: (802) 656-3340
C.A.R.E. If you are concerned about a UVM community member
or are concerned about a specific event, we encourage you to
contact the Dean of Students Office (802-656-3380). If
you would like to remain anonymous, you can report your concerns
online by visiting the Dean of Students website at
https://www.uvm.edu/studentaffairs
Final Exam Policy:
The University final exam policy outlines expectations during final
exams and explains timing and process of examination period.
https://www.uvm.edu/registrar/final-exams
Alcohol and Cannabis Statement:
As a faculty member, I want you to get the most you can out of this
course. You play a crucial role in your education and in your
readiness to learn and fully engage with the course material. It is
important to note that alcohol and cannabis have no place in an
academic environment. They can seriously impair your ability to
learn and retain information not only in the moment you may be
using, but up to 48 hours or more afterwards. In addition, alcohol
and cannabis can:
• Cause issues with attention, memory and
concentration
• Negatively impact the quality of how information
is processed and ultimately stored
• Affect sleep patterns, which interferes with
long-term memory formation
It is my expectation that you will do everything you can to
optimize your learning and to fully participate in this course.