This course is a self-paced, author-specific program. The intent is two fold: primarily, the student is expected to become more proficient with dissemination and delivery of information to a group/classroom setting. This component will require the student to deliver researched information at least once each semester to one of the other Latin courses. Secondly, the student will demonstrate proficiency with research skills and scholarly investigations of a particular subject. This component will manifest as an accumulation of material within a folder/binder which will be checked and graded periodically throughout each six-weeks. These checks will be some of your homework grades and as such should illustrate a gradual progress at each turn. The Latin authors for study and research are: Virgil, Caesar or another of the student’s choosing. The presentations regarding the first two authors mentioned should focus on material that is relevant for those students taking the Latin AP Exam in the future, i.e., syllabus literature, historical/biographical information, etc. The research for the other authors is totally up to the student as long as the research serves some obvious purpose and didactic intent. Additionally, the level 5/6 students will prepare warm-up questions for the level 4 AP class. These assignments can be either, multiple choice, short answer, or translation i.e., just as those you remember from your own AP exam last semester. If you’re able, I would like you to personally present these assignments to the AP class however, I understand that sometimes your schedule will not allow this. Nevertheless, as you remember, these assignments typically require only 15-30 minutes. Lastly, your class will continue to take the bi-monthly derivative quizzes, as before.
The Caesar syllabus, as the College Board has mandated, will be as follows beginning the 2012-2013 school year: Book 1-Chpt.s 1-7, Book 4-Chpt.s 24-35 and first sentence of 36, Book 5 Chpt.s 24-48, Book 6 Chpt.s 13-20. The Virgil syllabus will be amended to the following: Book 1-lines 1-209, 418-440, 494-578. Book 2 lines 40-56, 201-249, 268-297, 559-620. Book 4 lines 160-218, 259-361, 659-705. Book 6 lines 295-332, 384-425, 450-476, 847-899.
*Your folder/binder will be graded bi-weekly and, in addition to the level 4 assignments, your grade will be influenced by the quality of your presentations to the other classes. The more carefully researched and professionally presented talks will certainly garner the higher marks. You will be expected to deliver, at a minimum, one presentation per semester.