CanonLaw.info

Dr. Edward Peters 

To work for the proper implementation of canon law is to play an extraordinarily

constructive role in continuing the redemptive mission of Christ. Pope John Paul II

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1983 Code

Masterpage

1917 Code

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Resolution

1152 x 864

Updated

29 aug 2015

Beginning Ecclesiastical Latin I (LAT 121)

SHMS

Students Page

Mondays & Wednesdays, 1:30 to 3:05 pm, Room 110.

Read me first! Latin and English are not simply different languages in the way that, say, Spanish and English are different languages. Rather, Latin and English are different kinds of languages. Put another way, Latin is not the way ancient Romans spoke English, it's the way ancient Romans spoke. Grasp that and one has the essence of the thing. Most Latin student errors come from failing to remember that Latin is not English.

Overview of

Latin 121

This page supplies

prose prompts.

This is the first semester of a four semester sequence of courses designed to prepare one to read, with the aid of a lexicon, ecclesiastical Latin prose texts with difficulty levels akin to those found in the Nova Vulgata, sacred liturgy, and some modern ecclesiastical documents. Command of grammatical forms is essential at introductory levels, so plan to memorize these materials as they are encountered. Our pace is brisk so keep up. If you sense that you are falling behind, come see me.

At the end of LAT 121, the successful student will:

• be able to explain the fundamental difference between analytic and synthetic languages;

• be able to parse Latin nouns/adjectives in declensions I-II and verbs in the declarative mood;

• have a good grasp of the role of Latin prepositions and adverbs;

• recognize certain basic syntactical structures (e.g., dative of the possessor);

• have a vocabulary commensurate with the mid-point of beginning Latin studies;

• be able to recite with understanding the Signum crucis, Pater Noster, Ave Maria, and Glória Patri.

Required Text

John Collins, A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin (Catholic University of America, 1988 or later) ISBN: 0-8132-0667-7. Always bring this book to class. Always.

Optional Texts

Latin Clinic

tba

From time to time students might want to access materials from my Ecclesiastical Latin pages as a study aid.

Course Format / Syllabus

We have approximately twelve weeks to cover the first twelve chapters of Collins. We cover one chapter per week, in numerical order, doing the grammar for a given chapter on Wednesdays and the sentences for that chapter on the following Monday. I test on forms frequently, with or without notice, orally and in writing. There are also some texts and prayers to memorize that provide, besides occasions for grace, important grammatical illustrations.

All tests/quizzes/class drills count and are cumulative (less one low or missed quiz, no make-ups). Grade is one-fourth class performance, one-fourth pop quizzes, one-half Final Exam. No midterm exam.

Note: Students who have a bachelor's degree may opt out of quizzes, in which case the final exam is 75% of their grade, and class performance is 25%. Let me know by the beginning of the third class if you want to take this option.

A good thought

The discoveries that come with studying Greek and Latin are greater than what I mentioned [earlier]. Fundamentally, these discoveries have to do with language, with communication. Greek or Latin can be a window in the world of how we express ideas. ... Your study of Greek and Latin will make you more conscious of how you think and communicate, and of how others do so. That study will make you more attuned to the subtleties and nuances of both logic and communication. It will make you more aware of the need for rigorous thought, speech, and writing. You will be better at using English because you have studied Greek or Latin. Donald Fairbairn, Understanding Language 183.

First prayers

to memorize