Introductory Ecclesiastical Latin A (AL9301C)

Content

This unit (and its complement AL9302C Introductory Ecclesiastical Latin B) introduces the basic grammar and vocabulary of ecclesiastical Latin, and develops the skills of translating ecclesiastical Latin into English.

The unit will proceed with a general introduction to ecclesiastical Latin, and an explanation of the pedagogical technique used in class. Thereafter the core mode of instruction will be working through units 1-19 of J. F. Collins, A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin (Washington: Catholic University of America, 1985). Students are strongly advised to have a copy of Collins’ primer in class. Classes will be a mixture of lectures presenting new material, and tutorials to drill material, revise previous material, practise translating, and discuss difficulties.

Students taking the unit at postgraduate level are expected to develop competence beyond that expected of undergraduate students; for example, postgraduate level students should develop a working active knowledge of the ecclesiastical Latin (i.e., to put English into Latin), in addition to the primarily passive reading skills that are the focus of the undergraduate curriculum.

Learning outcomes

Pedagogy

A traditional class consisting of lectures, seminars, translation exercises and drills.

Teaching pattern 1: Learners will engage with weekly lecture input, lectures, seminars, translation exercises and drills to achieve the learning outcomes.

Teaching Pattern 2: Learners will engage in intensive mode with lecture input, directed reading activities, translation exercises and drills to achieve the learning outcomes.

Indicative Bibliography

• Allen, Joseph Henry, and James Bradstreet Greenough, eds. Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges: Founded on Comparative Grammar. Boston: Ginn, 1931.
• Collins, John F. A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin. Washington: Catholic University of America Press, 1985. (Recommended for purchase)
• Falconer, V. I. Father Falconer's Latin Course: A Course in "Latin into English" Translation. Melbourne: Michal O’Callaghan, 2001.
• Goldman, Norma, and Ladislas Szymanski. English Grammar for Students of Latin: The Study Guide for Those Learning Latin. Ann Arbor: Olivia and Hill, 1993.
• Hadas, Moses, and Thomas Suits, eds. Latin Selections/Florilegium Latinum: A Dual-Language Book. New York: Bantam, 1961.
• Hettich, Ernest L., and A. G. C. Maitland. Latin Fundamentals. 3rd ed. New York: Prentice-Hall, 1934.
• Kennedy, Benjamin H. The Revised Latin Primer. Harlow: Longman, 1962.
• Lowe, Joyce E. Church Latin for Beginners: An Elementary Course of Exercises in Ecclesiastical Latin. London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne, 1923.
• Scanlon, Cora C., and Charles L. Scanlon. Latin Grammar: Grammar, Vocabularies, and Exercises in Preparation for the Reading of the Missal and Breviary. 1959. Reprint, St. Louis: B. Herder, 1994.
• Sihler, Andrew L. New Comparative Grammar of Greek and Latin. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.
• Valentine, Charles. W. Latin Through English: A Basic Vocabulary of Latin Words with English Derivatives and Other Most Common Latin. London: Macmillan, 1960.
• Wheelock, Frederic. Wheelock's Latin. 5th ed. New York: Harper Perennial, 1995. (numerous editions)

Assessment