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 which so much of Western civilization stems, to develop a greater appreciation for literature, history, art, and architecture. To learn Latin is to be a citizen of the world. Join us on the adventure as we continue our study of the language and the history of Caesar, Cicero, and Catullus (among others)!

This course is Part Two of Sapere Aude: Beginners Level Latin for High Schoolers. This course is appropriate for learners who have already completed Part One and would like to continue their Latin studies. In most cases, the completion of Part One 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 Part Two without having taken Part One; if you think this might apply to your learner, please contact me to discuss. We will continue to use the Wheelock textbook, and we will continue our work with the Latin language; ancient Roman culture, history, and literature; and etymology. Learners can expect to deepen their grammatical skills--both in Latin and in English--in Part Two. As with Part One, 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. We will cover Chapters 5-10 of Wheelock's, though certain grammatical concepts from future chapters may be introduced alongside the material from these chapters. Students will also learn some popular Latin phrases as a way to explore Latin grammar in context. Videos, slides, shared Google docs, and virtual and/or visual tours may all play a role in this course.

If learners wish to continue their Latin studies, there will be a Part Three!

This course is designed for flexibility; the weekly lessons outlined below are guidelines for what learners can expect, but 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. The weekly schedule below outlines the major concepts from week to week, but please remember that every class meeting leaves room for etymology lessons, historical and mythological discussion, and much more! 

Week 1 - The Past and the Future, Part One:  In this first week, we'll begin our work with Chapter V of Wheelock's and we will learn the imperfect (both its form and its use) and the future (both form and use) tenses for first and second conjugation verbs. We will review the five characteristics (person, number, tense, voice, and mood) of verbs. We'll also discuss first-second declension -er adjectives and review noun-adjective agreement.

Week 2 - The Past and the Future, Part Two:  This week, we'll continue our work with the imperfect and the future, and we'll learn about Martial. 

Week 3 - I Think I Can:  In the third week, we'll conclude Chapter V of Wheelock's and begin our work with Chapter VI. We will learn the present, imperfect, and future of the verb that means, "to be able," and we'll also learn the future and the imperfect forms of the verb "to be." Wheelock's formally introduces the complementary infinitive in this chapter, but as we have already been working with it, we'll treat this as a review.

Week 4 - To Be or Not To Be: This week, we'll continue our work with the forms of the verb "to be," and we'll talk about Livy, the famous Roman historian.

Week 5 - First, Second, and Third:  This week, we'll begin our work in Chapter VII of Wheelock's. We'll review first and second declension nouns and their case endings, and we'll be introduced to third declension nouns and their case endings. We'll review the importance of Latin dictionary entries, and how we get noun stems from the genitive case.

Week 6 - All About the Third Declension:  We'll intensify our work with the third declension, discuss the Roman monarchy, and read a short passage about a famous heroine in Roman history/mythology: Lucretia.

Week 7 - Yet Another Third:  This week, we'll learn about third conjugation verbs in Latin, and how we form the present, imperfect, and future tenses of the third conjugation. We'll also discuss third i-stem verbs and fourth conjugation verbs, which we'll learn more about in Chapter X.

Week 8 - This, That, and the Other Thing: This week, we'll learn about demonstrative adjectives and how they're used. 

Week 9 - These or Those?:  This week, we'll learn more about demonstrative adjectives and special -ius adjectives. We'll complete our work with Chapter IX.

Week 10 - In our final week of class, we'll begin Chapter X in Wheelock's and discuss the conjugation of the present, imperfect, and future for third i-stem and fourth conjugation verbs. Learners will be well prepared to continue their Latin study.