Introduction to Latin Literature

Instructor: John Gruber-Miller, College 312, x4326, jgruber-miller@cornellcollege.edu

Class meetings: M-F 9:00-11:15 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Office Hours: M W F 11:15-12 noon and always by appointment.

Required Materials:

• John Starks, et al., eds. Latin Laughs: A Production of Plautus' Poenulus. Wauconda, IL: Bolchazy-Carducci, 1997. (Both Student and Teacher edition)

The major goals of the course

• to learn to read with some facility the Latin verse of Plautus,
• to understand the culture and society of Republican Rome,
• to become familiar with the style, types of humor and values in Roman comedy,
• to make Roman comedy come to life on stage,
• to learn to work together with your peers on a common project.

Course Requirements

Class Preparation and Participation: preparation of Latin reading and other assignments, quizzes, homework, participation in class discussions and other activities, etc.

Class Reports: All members of the technical crew will give a 15-20 minute report during the second week of block on their area of expertise after reading the appropriate secondary material. These reports should accomplish two things:

1. inform the rest of the class about Roman theatrical practice in your area.
2. propose specific suggestions for the class performance.

Everyone should turn in a one page summary of the material they read and a one page report on the suggestions for the performance.

Summary/Reaction: In addition, everyone will read one 12-25 page article on Poenulus or on some literary aspect of Roman comedy, write a one page (minimum) summary and one page (minimum) reaction to it (due Monday of Week 3).

Midterm and Final: the midterm as well as the final will include translation/reading comprehension of both prepared and unseen passages, commentary on particular passages (grammatical, dramaturgical, and/or literary), and essay (more general questions about Roman culture and literary interpretation).

Stage Production: Each person will participate in some aspect of the class production of a bilingual performance of the Poenulus to be staged during the 4th week of block for the Cornell community. Each person's participation will be crucial to the success of the performance, thus grading will be based on the effort you put into your role, your constant cooperation with the other members of the production, and the timeliness with which you accomplish each task (e.g. learning your lines, finding props, finishing costumes and music by the deadlines set by the directors).

To make it easier for me to assess your involvement in the play, everyone will keep a log of the tasks they worked on each day and how much time they spent on each task. At the end of the course, you will turn this in along with a one or two page report summarizing what you accomplished, what you wished you had done but were not able to do, and what you learned from the experience.

Grading

• preparation for class, pop quizzes, etc. 20 %
• midterm (2nd Fri) 20 %
• final 20 %
• creative project, including reports 40 %

There will be no make-up quizzes. Exams can be made up only if pre-arranged and with a note from a doctor.

Letter grades will be assigned according to the following pattern:

Final Note: Do not get behind at any time. Ask for help before you feel you are slipping. Carpe diem!