Do you want to learn how the world of gladiators, gods, and togas has shaped the world we live in? From NASCAR to graffiti to representative democracy, ancient Rome and its language, Latin, is the foundation of our Western way of life. In this class, you will learn, from the ground up (NO previous experience required), the language that Julius Caesar spoke, and how it is very much alive in English and the modern Romance languages, as well as even Russian and German! You will learn to think linguistically, hone your skills with grammar and vocabulary, sharpen your logical reasoning, and learn how Latin continues to live all over our world, in places like the one-dollar bill and the way we tell time, to begin with! 

I have found an interdisciplinary approach the most engaging and effective, so each session covers topics in the context of other topics i.e. grammar is learned in the context of short narratives involving characters dealing with events and activities of ancient life, which is also explored and discussed in terms of its relevance to our own life. So we learn about English grammar and increase English vocabulary in studying the Latin language; we learn about Ancient Roman culture and society in comparing it to our own, which owes a great deal to it!

In this 8-week follow up course to the part 1 introduction, you will learn more of the nuances of Latin grammar and increase your Latin vocabulary, along with English words derived from the root words learned. This will be done in the context of increasingly complex narratives involving Roman culture, mythology and history. Each class will have 3 components: Latin grammar and vocabulary instruction and exercises involving reading, writing, translation, and discussion; a cultural topic with brief lecture and discussion; Latin in current use from mottoes and phrases to Latin roots and English derivatives. I use a variety of activities, from google slides and shared google docs to kahoot online quiz games and virtual tours.

Upon completion, students will be equipped to continue to the third course for further training in Latin; a basic introductory knowledge of Latin grammar is recommended to take this course. Below is a weekly lesson plan outlining what can be expected, with the caveat (that's a Latin term!) that pacing will be calibrated to the interests, progress, and needs of the students.

Week 1 - We will review the present and imperfect tenses of regular Latin verbs and the irregular "to be" verb. We will also learn about the major foods of the Roman diet and how the trade routes affected it.

Week 2 - We will learn the perfect tense and how it differs from the imperfect tense. We will also learn the superlative adjective both regular and irregular forms. We will also learn the culture of Britannia and Rome's interaction with it.

Week 3 - We will learn the dative case (singular and plural) and its functions as indirect object and object with special verbs. We will also learn some of the basic differences between the Roman and British armies.

Week 4 - We will learn 1st/2nd declension and 3rd declension adjectives. We will also learn about the lives of Roman soldiers on campaign.

Week 5 - We will review the material from the previous 4 weeks.

Week 6 - We will learn the genitive case and its function as a possessive. We will also learn the encltics -ne and -que. We will also learn about the Romans' relationship with the sea (they were NOT big fans).

Week 7 - We will learn the singular and plural imperative forms of verbs as well as the vocative case for nouns. We also learn aspects of firefighting and the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD.

Week 8 - We will review and wrap the material from the previous 4 weeks.