571 Ancient Greek I
major elective
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
This course provides a grounding in the basic grammar of Ancient Greek, with a focus on developing a strong working vocabulary and basic proficiency in reading and writing. The stories in the course textbook Thrasymachus give students the opportunity to learn (or, for many of them, review) some of the more famous myths, including those of Jason, Agamemnon, and the Trojan War. A study of the Ancients' conception of the Underworld will be undertaken, with readings drawn from Dante, Vergil, and Homer (all in translation). Along with the Greek III class, students perform a scene from a tragedy for Classics Day.
572 Ancient Greek II
not offered in 2011-12
prerequisite: Greek I
Students continue working through Thrasymachus, completing their study of basic Greek grammar. Greek II provides the groundwork necessary to read the literature of real Greek authors the following year. Particular focus is given to a study of Homer. The class completes a group project in the spring for Classics Day.
573 Greek III
prerequisite: Greek II
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Summer Reading: The Last of the Wine by Mary Renault.
Greek III is dedicated to Attic prose, Athenian culture, and systematic grammar review. Students read Attic prose writers Xenophon and Lucian and work through a fast-paced Greek textbook that gives them a detailed and systematic account of Greek grammar as well as ample opportunity to speak and write in Greek. Students will read and discuss H. D.F. Kitto's classic, The Greeks, and learn about the main developments of Greek art. Special activities include afield trip to the new ancient wing of the Metropolitan Museum and staging of scenes from a tragedy in collaboration with the Greek 1 class.
574 Greek IV
not offered in 2011-12
major elective
prerequisite: Greek III
Grade: 12
The content of this Greek reading course varies from year to year, depending on student interest; most recently, we read Plato’s Apology and selections from Herodotus’ Histories. In conjunction with the literature, we study relevant aspects of Greek history and intellectual development.
532 Latin I
major elective
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
An introduction to the Latin language, its basic forms, vocabulary and grammar. Since students taking this course will join those students in the two year middle school course, there is strong emphasis on mastering grammar and forms. The relation of Latin to French, Spanish, and English is discussed, and close attention is paid to English vocabulary through Latin roots. The reading material uses myth and anecdote to increase student interest and liven discussion of Greek and Roman values.
531 Latin II
major elective
prerequisite: Latin I
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
This second-year course completes the study of Latin grammar and provides increasing emphasis on reading. Students develop the skills necessary to read Latin as the Romans wrote it, and to consider the historical and cultural implications of their language and literature in contrast to our own. They read longer passages of connected Latin prose.
541 Latin III (History)
major elective
prerequisite: Latin II
Summer reading: Conspirata, by Robert Harris
In this course students combine their work in Latin III with their
work in history. In the fall, their study of the development of the
institutions of the Roman republic in history class makes them informed
and critical readers of excerpts from Cicero's In Catilinam and Caesar's De Bello Gallico. After November, the Latin teacher and the history teacher are present in both classes to guide students in their reading and analysis of texts describing the controversies and events that lead up to Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon and the subsequent civil war. Students compare accounts in Latin of the same events described by Cicero and Caesar and try to reconstruct what really happened, while taking note of the cultural attitudes expressed in the texts. At the end of the year students study the beginning of the principate, comparing poems by Catullus and Horace and reading the Res Gestae. Throughout the year students learn about ancient rhetoric, and on Classics Day they perform carefully prepared declamations on some chosen theme from Roman history.
542 Latin III (Literature)
major elective
prerequisite: Latin II
Summer reading: Conspirata, by Robert Harris
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Readings from Ovid’s Metamorphoses and Cicero’s In
Catilinam explore mythical narrative and Roman politics
to introduce students to the intellectual world of
Rome in the 1st century BCE. An emphasis on close
reading of the text lays the foundation for further
reading in Latin literature while developing students’
understanding of the subtleties of vivid and persuasive
writing. Note: Tenth grade students registering for Latin
Literature must also register for the history course “Ancient
and Medieval Civilizations.”
551 Latin IV
prerequisite: Latin III (History) or Latin III (Literature)
summer reading: Homer, Odyssey
Grades: 11, 12
In this course we will focus on Vergil’s Aeneid as a literary, historical, and philosophical text and will discuss such topics as the nature of epic and the use of symbolism in poetry. While continuing to refine their skills in translation, the students will also consider the Aeneid in its role as heir to Greek literature and as seminal to the literature and thought of Western Europe since the Roman period.
561 Latin V
major elective
prerequisite Latin IV
Summer reading: The Venus Throw, Stephen Saylor
Grade: 12
In this course students continue their study of the history of the late republic started in Latin 3 and their study of Latin poetic techniques and sensibilities started in Latin 4. In the process they refine their skills reading and writing in Latin. Students start the year with Cicero's great work of forensic oratory, the Pro Caelio. Cicero's witty and malicious portrait of Clodia Metelli serves as vivid background for their reading of Catullus's poetry, which comes next. Students read Catullus as the heir to the Greek Hellenistic poets, studying Catullus's use of sophisticated poetic language to create ironic distance and his insistence on the ultimate worth of art and friendship. Students continue their study of Latin lyric poetry by reading Horace in the spring, comparing Horace's variations on the carpe diem theme with those in selected poems by Ancient Greek, English, and American authors. On Classics Day, Latin 5 students stage a Roman triumph, having first read about triumphs in ancient prose and poetry. Special projects-- depending on student interest-- have included translating and performing a Plautus play and translating Latin written by Pennsylvanians. Every third year the Latin V class travels to Rome over spring break.