The Classics specifically refers to the study of Latin and ancient Greek. The Classics program teaches these languages, and through them an expanded English vocabulary, a better understanding of English grammar, an appreciation of the ancient societies which have influenced our own in the areas of government, law, art and literature, and self-discipline with regard to study habits. It is the philosophy of the Classics Department that the learning of a language is a continuous process, so our program in Latin and Greek takes four or five consecutive years to complete. The first result of this process is that a Classics student reads Latin with relative ease and has a foundation in Greek grammar. A further result is that an advanced student can read Latin authors and so appreciate some of the finest Western literature in the original language.

Latin I (Grade 8)
This course introduces the basic grammar and vocabulary of Latin. The basic text used is Ecce Romani I, which covers adjectives, pronouns, six tenses of Latin verbs, five declensions of nouns, and basic vocabulary. In addition to the basic grammar of Latin, students learn how to translate from Latin into English and English into Latin so that their understanding of this inflected language is improved. They begin their study of Roman culture, society, history, religion and art. Finally, the students learn the relevance of Latin to our society through discussions in class about vocabulary, and other topics such as art, and government. The goals of this course are for the students to have a basic understanding of the inflection of Latin, a working vocabulary, comfort with translating at the Latin I level, study skills that will allow a student to be successful at learning Latin, and an appreciation of Roman society and culture.

Latin II (Grade 9)
Students continue to learn the grammar and vocabulary of Latin using Ecce Romani II and supplementary materials. Topics covered include the active and passive voice, the subjunctive mood and its constructions, ablative constructions, special verbs and conditional clauses. By the end of the course, students have been introduced to the majority of the grammar of Latin and have acquired a good basic vocabulary. When the students are comfortable with their ability at translation at this level, they begin to read more difficult Latin and practice sight-reading. In addition, students continue their study of Roman history, culture and mythology. The goals of this course are for students to be comfortable with Latin grammar, to have a good working vocabulary and comfort at reading Latin at this level so that they are ready to begin reading a variety of authors at the next level.

Classical Languages III (Grade 10)
Using Oxford Latin Course Part III and other supplemental texts, students continue their study of Latin by reading the correspondence of Pliny the Younger, a 1st century C.E. writer and statesman. As students encounter their first unaltered Latin texts, they work on learning some of the finer points of Latin grammar, and continue to build their Latin vocabulary. Students are also introduced to the basic grammar and vocabulary of ancient Greek using the text Athenazae, Part I. Students are introduced to the first three declensions of nouns, regular, irregular and contract verbs in the present tense, active and middle voices, adjectives, present active and middle participles, pronouns, and vocabulary. Students also begin to study ancient Greek culture, history and society through the translations used in this text. The goals of this course are to introduce students to the other classical language – ancient Greek, and to move students into the study of a Roman author in such a way that through the study of that author's work, they come to a fuller understanding of the Roman world.

Classical Languages IV Honors/Classical Languages IV (Grade 11)
Students continue their experience in Latin by translating letters and excerpts from the orations and treatises written by Cicero, the 1^st century B.C.E. Roman orator and statesman.  As they work through these texts, the students continue to build their vocabulary and to learn further fine points of Latin grammar. They also engage in discussions and analyses of the text in its ancient context and in the context of their experiences. Students continue their study of ancient Greek in the Athenazae series. The goals of this course are for students to continue to improve their reading ability in Latin and to complete their study of the basic grammar and vocabulary of ancient Greek. The material covered in this course is adjusted to meet the needs of the students in the course. The honors level course moves at a more rigorous pace and so covers more material.

AP Latin Vergil (Grade 12)
This course is designed to prepare students to take the AP Vergil Exam.  Students translate selections of the Aeneid as set by the College Board and read the Aeneid in its entirety in English.  In addition to the translation and resulting close reading of the Latin of this poem, students analyze and interpret the text, learn the figures of speech, motifs and meter used in the poem, place the epic in its historical and political context, and write critical essays using the Latin text as support for their arguments.  This course requires summer reading and work over school vacations.  Students are expected to take the AP exam in May.

Melissa Moss
Chair

Tyler Leach

Richard Kenworthy