Latin II Prerequisite: Latin I or placement testing Latin II is a continuation of the foundation studies in grammar, syntax, vocabulary and style begun in Latin I. Roman mythology and history (which provide background material for topics covered in other literature, language and history courses) are studied. By the third trimester the students are beginning to translate Roman authors. Latin III Prerequisite: Latin II or placement testing The Latin III curriculum provides students with an overview of Latin authors. The students translate and analyze selections from Cicero’s letters, orations and philosophica, Pliny’s letters, and Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Through exposure to the works of these authors, the student gains insight into the political, social and economic situation of the times. Latin IV * Prerequisite: Latin III or placement testing Now that the student has mastered most grammatical structures and possesses a strong vocabulary, she is able to proceed to Latin IV. Fourth year Latin is primarily devoted to reading major portions of Virgil’s Aeneid. By doing research projects, including an essay presenting a feminist critique of Virgil’s treatment of women, primarily Dido, in the Aeneid. Attention is also given to the art, architecture, politics of the time as well as Virgil’s influence on English literature. Latin V * Prerequisite: Latin IV or equivalent knowledge This class is conducted on a tutorial basis with two to three meetings a week. The decline and fall of the Roman Republic is studied with intensive readings of Cicero and Sallust in Latin. The third trimester is flexible, with advanced readings of the Latin poets or Latin Stoic philosophy. Introduction to Classical Greek * Prerequisite: Latin I or equivalent knowledge This class is conducted on a tutorial basis with two to three meetings a week. Introduction to Greek employs an excellent text, Athenaze, which enables the student to read fairly complex and interesting stories from the first days of the class. By the third trimester, the student is in a position to read some selections from the original text of the Odyssey.
Spanish Spanish I
Prerequisite: none This course is designed for students who have had little or no experience in Spanish. Spanish I lays the foundation for the four basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The student is introduced to elementary conversation, pronunciation and vocabulary, as well as basic grammar structures. The groundwork is also laid for a study of Hispanic culture. Spanish II Prerequisite: Spanish I or placement testing This course continues to build on the foundation laid in Spanish I. Basic points of grammar are refined and new points are introduced. Increased emphasis is placed on conversation and comprehension as the class is conducted almost entirely in Spanish. New grammatical topics include the imperfect, future and conditional, as well as a review of the perfect tense. Spanish III Prerequisite: Spanish II or placement testing Spanish III is designed to review and reinforce the skills learned in Spanish I and Spanish II. New topics include compound tenses, commands, the present and imperfect subjunctive, and their uses. There is greater emphasis on composition, oral ability and expanding vocabulary. Throughout the year selected literary excerpts provide additional practice and stimulus for discussion. Spanish IV * Prerequisite: Spanish III or equivalent knowledge Spanish IV aims to perfect the student’s mastery of Spanish through an extensive grammar review emphasizing its usage in context. Readings include short stories by well-known Spanish and Latin American authors. Oral fluency is attained through class discussion of literature, current events and constructing stories based on a sequence of pictures. The class is conducted entirely in Spanish. Newspaper and magazine articles and short literary passages aid students’ comprehension of the written language. Students may be encouraged to take the Spanish SAT Subject Test concurrently or upon completion of this course. *Current teacher and/or department chair approval required 4