Course Syllabus

Latin II (Orange)
Syllabus

Salvete, omnes!



Course Overview
This course completes the study of the fundamentals of Latin grammar, syntax, and vocabulary begun in Latin I, introduces the subjunctive mood and advanced constructions, and emphasizes further development of sound reading and composition skills.  We meet in Corbin 214.  Our drop day is E-day.

Ancillary Topics
1. a brief survey of Roman history from the traditional founding of Rome in 753 BCE to its fall in 476 CE;
2. a thorough review of Greek and Roman mythology with special emphasis on the stories of heroes and the myths associated with specific archaeological sites;
3. further study of Roman culture and technology and their enduring influence on the West;
4. further study of the archaeology of ancient Greece and Rome, including Pompeii, Ephesus, and Knossos;
5. further development of English vocabulary skills through Greek and Latin roots.





Course Expectations and Grading
Quizzes, tests, and other formative assessments on anything from basic vocabulary to translation, the final exam, and in-class performance (participation, attentiveness, focus on class work and not on electronic devices) determine semester grades.  Quizzes, tests, in-class performance, and other formative assessments comprise 80% of the semester grade and the final exam 20%.  Students will solidify their understanding of the material and may earn "effort" points by spending time with assigned exercises on our Quia website.  The site logs and records the time spent on each exercise.  All language study is cumulative, and students should review the course material regularly.  Tests and quizzes may be retaken for a higher grade multiple times; however, students must "earn" the retake by first submitting corrections on the earlier version and explaining in writing how the student improved his or her preparation for the retake.  Retakes will be scheduled by the instructor and administered in class ONLY.  Electronic devices (computers, iPads) may be used ONLY with instructor permission.  Cell phones must be turned off and placed in your backpack at the start of class.  Earbuds and headphones are prohibited.  Students are encouraged to communicate with me ahead of time about anticipated absences due to religious observances/holidays.


Academic Honesty and General Behavior
Students are expected to demonstrate integrity and academic honesty at all times as described in the LFA Student Handbook:

As members of an academic community, students and faculty alike commit themselves to the honest pursuit and use of knowledge. Students are, therefore, expected to avoid placing themselves in any position that would call into question their integrity or sense of academic honesty. Some of the more obvious forms of academic dishonesty are cheating on a test and plagiarism of a written assignment. Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words, thoughts, or ideas without appropriately crediting the source. Students are especially cautioned that using or copying material from Internet sites and presenting it as one’s own work is entirely dishonest and easily distinguished by one’s teachers as the work of another writer. The complete definition of academic dishonesty is discussed in classes early in the academic year. Other forms of academic dishonesty include collaborating on work without the teacher’s knowledge or consent, receiving unauthorized assistance on work, and providing others with the opportunity to benefit from one’s work. The definition of “work” extends beyond tests and papers to class notes, lab reports, projects, daily homework, and any other class materials. Any act of academic dishonesty on a minor assignment will result in the student earning a zero for that assignment. An act of academic dishonesty on any major assignment will result in the student earning half credit upon completion of a rewrite of the paper or retake of the assessment. When a student takes credit for work that is not their own, the teacher will inform the Department Chair of the concern. The Dean of Students Office will then initiate full disciplinary proceedings through the DC, with dismissal as a possible consequence (Retrieved from https://www.lfanet.org/student-handbook/code-of-conduct).

Students are expected to submit work that is their original thought and origin unless otherwise specified within the assignment. Using AI to replace your thinking or writing is unacceptable and is considered academic misconduct. Please consult your individual instructors about how you might be able to use AI as a resource but not a replacement for your own work. In short, any work that you turn in for a grade must be completed BY YOU without help from anyone else, including other students, parents or friends.

Below are some additional details about academic honesty in language classes: The use of online translators is prohibited and is counterproductive to your language learning. On the other hand, you may use a credible dictionary or dictionary app or any other credible reference book while preparing assignments. You are welcome (even encouraged!) to consult the teacher for help with phrasing or with confusing translations before you turn in your work!  DO NOT copy answers from a book appendix or from a friend. This is not only entirely transparent to your teacher, but also remarkably counterproductive. Your homework is assigned so that you can practice the concepts that we learn in class, and copying the answers completely defeats this purpose. Put simply, if you do not make use of practice opportunities, you will not learn the material.  If you choose to work with a tutor, please let your teacher know. Anyone who gives you outside help may point out errors or explain concepts to you, but they MAY NOT correct or write any part of your work.

In research assignments it is important to properly document your source material. We have fantastic resources at LFA to help support you in any research assignment, including your instructor, the librarian, your other teachers, and the Writing Center. If you have any doubt about whether you have properly cited sources in an assignment please do not hesitate to consult us!

Here are some specific reminders about citing sources: Please remember that you must not cut and paste material directly from the Internet or any other source without proper citation.  You may not use Artificial Intelligence (AI).  When giving a spoken presentation or similar assignment, you may not memorize material that was not composed by you.  Please refer to these guidelines throughout the year to ensure the integrity of your work. Any instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Department Chair and to the Dean of Students.

Students are expected to live up to the values described in LFA's Four Pillars: Character,  Scholarship, Citizenship, Responsibility:  “Lake Forest Academy is committed to building and sustaining an inclusive school community that acknowledges, respects, and values the varied lived experiences of the community members. We strive to ensure that ideas and behaviors which oppress others are challenged and addressed through an educational process. Our perspectives are informed by our differences that include but are not limited to, gender, race and ethnicity, nationality, socio-economic status, physical ability, religion, sexual orientation, as well as a variety of physical, intellectual, and spiritual qualities that make us all unique individuals.”

Students are encouraged to communicate with their teachers ahead of time about anticipated absences due to religious observances/holidays and to reach out to their teachers or advisor about any concerns regarding inclusivity in the classroom.  Recording of classroom activities by any electronic means is not permitted unless given written permission by the instructor. All students in a class must be informed if permission has been given for a class to be recorded. Permission to record a course lecture that the instructor grants to a student is limited to the student’s own personal use to achieve the educational goals of the course.


Departmental Philosophy on Rewrites, Retakes, and Revisions:
The Department feels strongly that language learning is a process and that students reinforce their learning by having the opportunity to examine and correct their mistakes. Your instructor may provide opportunities for test corrections, test retakes or revision of written work. These opportunities may be optional or required. Corrections, retakes and revisions generally impact the grade positively because they often reflect an improvement over previous work, but your teacher will determine the impact to your grade based on the quality of your work.  In the Modern and Classical Languages Department all assigned work is expected to be submitted by the specified deadline. Late work may be penalized at the discretion of the teacher.


Add/Drop Period
The last day to drop a class without receiving a withdrawal note on your transcript is October 2, 2025.


Major Assessments Policy
Students may request that one of the assessments be moved when each of the three scheduled on the same day counts for five percent or more of the semester grade. Students wishing to make this request must follow the procedure below:
• The request must be made via email (not via text or verbally) to the     Department Chair and teachers of all the classes involved, no later than 8 a.m.   at least one school day prior to the assessment. If the assessments are   scheduled for a Monday, then the request must be made by 8 a.m. the prior   Friday.
• The teachers involved in the request will consult, and after confirming that   there are indeed three assessments scheduled (as defined above), the teachers   will decide which test will be moved.
• The teachers must respond to the student via email (not text or verbally)     informing the student of the decision no later than 4 p.m. on the same day that the request was made.


Grading Scale

        Grade       Current %
           A+             ≥ 98
           A               ≥ 92.5
           A-              ≥ 89.5
           B+             ≥ 86.5
           B               ≥ 82.5
           B-              ≥ 79.5
           C+             ≥ 76.5
           C               ≥ 72.5
           C-              ≥ 69.5
           D+             ≥ 66.5
           D               ≥ 62.5
           D-              ≥ 59.5
           F                <59.5


Accommodations
Students have different needs as learners, and I intend to work with each student to optimize his/her experience in this course. If you have any established accommodations (e.g., school-approved extended time, note-taking aids, etc.), please notify me during the first cycle or as soon as possible. If extended time is stipulated and you would like to use it, you should remind me of that at least 24 hours in advance to ensure that I can make the necessary arrangements.





Course Objectives
The course aims to impart the following skills:
1. The ability to understand fundamental Latin grammar and syntax, including the forms and uses of all four tenses of the subjunctive mood, infinitives, participles, gerunds, gerundives, and all constructions involving these forms. 
2. Review of all endings covered in the first year text.
3. Review of all vocabulary forms and meanings covered in the first year text.
4. Working knowledge of English derivatives from Greek, Latin, and mythological roots.
5. Review of the important events in Roman history and legend, from the fall of Troy to the accession of Caesar Augustus as the first emperor.  Close study of the events in Roman history from Augustus to the fall of Rome.
6. An understanding of Roman culture and technology and their influence on subsequent Western cultures.
7. The ability to read and write basic Latin as presented in the second year text.
8. Thorough knowledge of Greek and Roman mythology.





Texts and Key to Abbreviations:
(LNM I) Latin for the New Millennium Level 1
(LNM II) Latin for the New Millennium Level 2
(CEB) College Exercise Book
(G) Graded Homework