LATN 220: Conversational Latin Workshop

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Class Program

Latin

Credits

4 Clinical Hours None

Weekly Contact Hours

Course ID

091152

Meets Degree Requirements For

General Elective

Description

An immersive, activity-based workshop in Latin conversation. Spend a minimum of two and a maximum of 10 and a half days speaking and engaging in a wide variety of both specialized and common daily activities in Latin.

Grading Basis

Graded

Prerequisites

Two or More years of Latin and Instructor Permission

Course Learning Outcomes

Be able to speak Latin at a significantly increased level of ease and fluency. This will carry over into their reading and writing skills.

Increase their reading comprehension because they will have more effectively internalized the language than is possible in traditional passive learning environments.

In addition, by living together and being forced to speak only Latin, participants will develop the ability to deal with such simple situations as arranging meals, cleaning, and other household activities; making and keeping appointments, following instructions, coordinating events within small groups and among various groups; resolving confusions and conflicts, expressing opinions and preferences, etc.

Core Topics

The seminar will focus on certain specific subject areas, mostly different each year. For example, major topics in current workshops are: flora, fauna, insects, birds, geology, geography, meteorology, astronomy, ecology, power, and navigation.

Phase I:

The first two days of instruction are always held in a classroom setting and designed to provide practice in the most basic elements of conversation: pronunciation; grammar; greetings; polite conversation; identification and description of one’s own interests, background, and region; etc. These preliminary sessions are especially appropriate for beginners but are also open to those at the intermediate level who need further practice.

Phase II:

The following six days constitute the main body of the workshop. The typical day is structured as follows. All activities are conducted in Latin unless otherwise specified.

Breakfast
9:00-10:00 AM: Briefing session.
10:00 AM-5:00 PM: Various activities in small assigned squads or groups of squads. Common lunch in squads or larger groups. (Occasionally visiting experts give guided tours or mini-workshops. No matter what language the guests or others in the learning environment speak, participants always speak only in Latin with one another.)
Dinner
8:00-9:00: Debriefing session.
9:00-??: Optional recreational activities (games, songs, etc.)

Phase III:

There is always a longer field trip, usually on the penultimate day. The organizational structure is looser; but the requirement of speaking only Latin among participants is still in force.