This course offers a consolidation of Latin grammar and vocabulary through daily assigned readings and select written assignments. Its goal is to develop the reading and comprehension skills necessary to pass the Level One Medieval Latin Examination. To that end, the course is structured around four different types of reading assignments: (1) daily assigned passages for study and preparation (with grammar and dictionary) designed to increase students' command of Medieval Latin grammar and syntax; (2) weekly re-reading (without dictionary or grammar) of previously assigned passages followed by an in-class, written translation—drawn from the same—designed to enable students to consolidate and commit to memory common syntactic structures and vocabulary; (3) weekly assigned long passages (8–10 pages) of moderate-level, narrative Latin designed to build students' proficiency, speed, and confidence; and (4) weekly sight-reading exercises. This course assumes a solid foundation in basic morphology and core vocabulary. Students with weaknesses in these areas must take responsibility for any additional work they deem necessary. All grammatical and syntatical instruction will be drawn from the assigned readings. Be advised that in class we will work only from the Latin--reading from prepared translations will not be permitted. Please prepare accordingly.

There is no required text for this course; all reading will be distributed in photocopy. I have chosen an eclectic mix of texts, varied in genre and style, and graded according to difficulty. Photocopies of each week’s reading will be distributed on Friday of the preceding week. Possible authors include (but are not limited to) Cicero, Boethius, Cassiodorus, Jerome, Bede, Hrabanus Maurus, Einhard, Aelfric Bata, Walter of England, William of Conches, William of Newburgh, Jocelyn of Furness, Gerald of Wales, Gervase of Tilbury, and William of Padua, as well as assorted legal or ecclesiastical documents. Some of you may occasionally find a reading too difficult or too easy. If so, please do not hesitate to contact me. Often, the best solution is simply to read more or less (and I will adjust my in-class expectations accordingly).

I am happy to meet with students outside of class to answer questions about the readings or review aspects of sytax or grammar. If you can make none of these times, please contact me to arrange another appointment. On Mondays and Wednesdays I will be available before the morning class (from 10:00 to 10:30); on Tuesdays and Thursdays, after the afternoon class (from 2:30 to 3:00).

Below, you will find a continuously updated course schedule. As we progress through the course, I will post all introductions to the readings, grammatical review questions, anwers to all written assignments, and any additional reference material that may prove useful. I will not, however, make a habit of posting the readings themselves. Students are encouraged to use freely all the teaching aids posted on this site: students who would benefit from a review of basic morphology and syntax may find useful my summaries of the verbal system (present and perfect), nouns and adjectives, relatives, and pronouns. Additional material can be found on my Basic Latin page. Students are strongly encouraged to read and familiarize themselves with A.G. Rigg's Traditional Grammatical Terminology: Latin.

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