To learn Latin is to be able to explore the ancient world in a more profound way, to feel connected more deeply to the people from whom so much of what surrounds us in our modern day stems, to develop a greater appreciation for literature, history, art, and architecture. To learn Latin is to have intimate access to some of the greatest works of literature in human history. To learn Latin is to be a citizen of the world. Join me on the adventure as we continue our study of the language and the history of Caesar, Cicero, Catullus, Seneca, and Vergil (among others)!

This course is designed for learners who have already completed the Part Two class of the Carpe Diem series and would like to continue their Latin studies. In most cases, the completion of Part Two of the advanced series is a prerequisite for this course; in certain cases, however, a learner who has some background in the Latin language may be granted entry to this course without this prerequisite. If you think this might apply to your learner, please contact me to discuss.

In this class, we will continue to use the Wheelock's textbook, and we will continue our work with the Latin language while continuing to focus also on ancient Roman culture, history, and literature. Learners can expect to deepen their grammatical skills--both in Latin and in English--in this course. At this stage of study, we will be working with the grammar largely in situ; this course is focused more on developing smoother translation skills, and as such, we will be working with grammar in context as opposed to doing targeted work with certain concepts. Learning will take place via reading, translation (both Latin to English and English to Latin), composition, and discussion. Supplementary reading and writing activities may be supplied by the teacher, and learners can expect to translate longer passages and short stories, pulled both from the textbook and from other sources. Learners can expect readings at this level to continue to increase in complexity, and though many readings are still adapted, learners can expect them to be less so than in previous classes. Learners will be exposed to both adapted and unadapted excerpts from a large number of ancient Roman authors, and we will discuss the cultural and historical context for these excerpts. Learners will begin to work with longer passages excerpted from various works of Latin literature. Such passages will be selected based on the grammatical knowledge of the learner; learners should feel assured that they will not be expected to translate passages containing grammatical concepts with which they are unfamiliar. Though learners will continue to work with grammatical concepts, as this is an advanced level course, learners can expect a growing focus on ancient texts; we will not only be working through passages as a way to gain facility with the language, but will deepen our discussions of both context and content.

This course is designed for flexibility; again, though the weekly lessons outlined below are guidelines for what learners can expect, the pacing can be altered to accommodate learner interest and the speed at which material is mastered. Learners should feel assured that the course material can and will be adapted to fit their learning style and speed, and this could impact the amount of material covered. 

Weeks One and Two - Catullus and His World:  Reading Catullus and identifying the figures in his poetry. We will also discuss the different types of poetry that Catullus wrote, and we will attempt to perform some analysis of some of his most famous poems.

Weeks Three Through Six - Cicero and Catiline: While we have read several adapted passages from Cicero's Catilinarian speeches, we will read two lengthier passages, one from his first speech against Catiline, and one from his third. We will discuss the historical backdrop against which the conspiracy of Catiline played out, and we will discuss Cicero's rhetorical style. 

Weeks Seven-Ten - Cicero and Philosophy:  In addition to being an effective lawyer and a pivotal political figure during the late Roman Republic, Cicero was a well read scholar who composed a series of philosophical works. We will read excerpts of several of these, examining and discussing his views on everything from friendship to death to literature.