Classics Latin
Latin is available to students in all grades beginning with Latin I. It is a compulsory course through Latin II. Students in grade six and students in grade seven who are new to Columbia Independent School will enroll in Introductory Latin I; these students will complete the traditional Latin I course in grades seven and eight respectively by enrolling in the Latin I Experienced course. Students in grade eight who are new to Columbia Independent School may enroll in Introductory Latin I or Latin I Intensive, a course in which the material normally covered in two years is condensed into one. However, most students in grades six, seven and eight spread the material comprising Latin I over the two-year period. Students in grades nine through twelve who are beginning their study of Latin will enroll in the Latin I Intensive course. Students who have completed Latin I Experienced or Latin I Intensive will enroll in Latin II.
The goal of the Latin sequence is the development of the ability to read Latin. Using the traditional grammatical approach, students will progress from basic syntactical Latin to the complex Latin literature of the Golden Age. The culmination of the classics program is the Advanced Placement Latin Literature course, which will be available to students who have completed Latin III. Students who complete the AP Latin course may earn college credit for this course. Although students are only required to complete Latin II to fulfill the school’s language requirement, the department strongly recommends the four-year sequence of study. Upon completion of Advanced Placement Latin, students may enroll in Advanced Latin Seminar.
The Latin curriculum also emphasizes Roman history, culture, mythology, and art in conjunction with Latin literature. These elements in addition to the acquisition of vocabulary, grammar, syntax, and the ability to read and comprehend Latin, are vital components to understanding the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. The knowledge of Greco-Roman contributions and influences upon our own culture will help students understand and appraise today’s world, which is indebted to ancient civilization for its government and laws, literature, language, and arts.
Introductory Latin I (Grades 6-8)
This course is the first half of the traditional Latin I curriculum. Students will complete the second half of the curriculum the following year. The goal of the Latin sequence is the development of the ability to read Latin. This introductory course begins the study of basic Latin grammar and vocabulary. Roman culture (including history, mythology, art, and literature) and its influence on the modern world will also be presented.
Latin I Experienced (Grades 7-9)
This course is the second half of the introductory Latin I curriculum. This course continues the study of basic Latin grammar, syntax, and vocabulary progressing to more complex constructions and Latin readings. The goal of this course is the progressive development of the ability to read Latin. Roman culture, history, mythology, art, and literature as well as the influence of the ancient Romans on our culture will also be presented. Upon the completion of this course, students will be eligible for Latin II.
Latin I Intensive (Grades 7-12)
This course presents the traditional Latin I curriculum with the emphasis on the grammatical approach to develop the ability to read Latin. Latin I begins the study of basic Latin grammar and vocabulary progressing to more complex constructions and Latin readings. Roman culture, history, mythology, art, and literature as well as the influence of the ancient Romans on our world of today will also be presented.
Latin II (Grades 8-12)
This course is the transitional link between basic Latin grammar and syntax, and the literature of the Roman world. Continuing the traditional grammatical approach, more complex constructions necessary for reading Latin literature are introduced culminating with the writings of actual Roman authors. The history, culture, and art of the ancient Romans will also be presented and correlated to the literature being studied.
Latin III (Grades 9-12)
This course focuses on the reading of actual Roman writers with emphasis on the writers of the Roman Republic and the first century of the Roman Empire. In addition, the culture and history of the period corresponding to the writers being studied will be emphasized. In preparation for the Advanced Placement Latin Course, the Latin III Course will introduce part of the Advanced Placement Curriculum during second semester.
Advanced Placement Latin – Vergil (Grades 10-12)
This course prepares students for the College Board Advanced Placement Latin Vergil Test. The basic objective is progress in reading, translating, understanding, analyzing, and interpreting Latin in the original. The focus of the course will be preparing students to translate accurately from Latin into English the poetry of the Aeneid and to demonstrate a grasp of grammatical structures and vocabulary. Since the appreciation of Latin literature requires an understanding of the literary techniques of Latin writers and of poetic meters, stylistic analysis is an integral part of the curriculum. In addition, this course includes the study of the cultural, social, and political context of the literature of the Golden Age.
Advanced Latin Seminar (Grades 11-12; Prerequisite: Advanced Placement Latin)
This course broadens the scope of Latin literature studies. Writers of various genres will be studied. Students will read, interpret, and analyze these writings as well as study the culture and history corresponding to the authors studied.
