2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Second foreign language courses
Classical Latin 8
- Academic unit or major
- Second foreign language courses
- Instructor(s)
- Osamu Kanazawa
- Class Format
- Exercise
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAL.L448
- Number of credits
- 010
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course is to study Classical Latin grammar. Classical Latin had been used in the Roman Empire. All the present European languages, except Finish and Hungarian, originnated from Latin. Therefore, studying Classical Latin will deepen the understandings of the present European languages. At the time of the Golden Age of Roman literature, around 100BC to 100 AD, many works were produced by great writers and poets such as Cicero, Virgil, Ovid, Caesar and Livy. Medieval Latin had been used for a long time in the world of Christianity in Europe, and is stil used in Roman Catholic Church. As the Latin language has not been changed much through time, Classical and Medieval Latin are not so different. We will learn Classical Latin in our class, but it will enable you to read Medieval Latin and Christian texts as well. Since Latin was also used as the common language of science and it appears in scientific terms, it will be very useful for
scientists to learn the Latin language.
Course description and aims
By studying Classical Latin, students will be able to read Latin original texts directly, rather than in translations. They will notice how many important and valuable messages are contained in these texts. Also they will be surprised at how vivid the messages are; they have not become obsolete, but keep on having fresh impact still now, even though they were written more than 2000 years ago. European culture received Greek and Roman civilization through Latin language. Therefore, by studying Latin language, students will get deeper understandings of European culture.The lesson plan includes reading comprehension, but it is unclear whether it is possible.
Keywords
Classical Latin
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Grammatical explanations are given at class, and exercises are required as homework assignments
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Conditional sentences | Understand the conditional sentences. |
| Class 2 | Concession | Understand the sentences of concession. |
| Class 3 | Relative sentences | Understand relative sentences. |
| Class 4 | Conjunction | Understand the use of conjunction. |
| Class 5 | Readings: Some texts from Caesar's writings. | Practice to read original Latin texts. |
| Class 6 | Readings: Some texts from Caesar's writings. | Practice to read original Latin texts. |
| Class 7 | Readings: Some texts from Caesar's writings. | Practice to read original Latin texts. |
| Class 8 | Examination and feedback |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
C. Matsudaira and K. Kunihara, Shin-raten bunpou, Toyoshuppan, 1997.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
The materials of text readings are handed out at class.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Examination(70%), homework assignments(30%)
Related courses
- Classical Greek
Prerequisites
None
Other
Bachelor's and graduate courses are offered at the same time.