Latin: Lower Intermediate – Part 2

Level and demands

Requirements: at the beginning of the course, you will already be familiar with the grammar covered in sections 1A to 4A of Jones’ and Sidwell’s Reading Latin: Grammar and Exercises. You will have experience in reading, analysing and translating extended Latin passages (appropriately adapted).

Course aims

To broaden students’ knowledge of Latin grammar and syntax and expand their vocabulary; to further develop students’ proficiency in translating extended Latin texts.

Course objectives: 

• Introduce new pronouns and uses of the cases, and especially the passive voice and the subjunctive mood, as well as new important syntactical constructions.
• Consolidate and expand the range of Latin vocabulary.
• Explore and analyse Latin texts of increasing difficulty.
• Discuss the governance of Roman provinces in late republican history.

IT requirements

Any standard web browser can be used to access course materials on our virtual learning environment, but we recommend Google Chrome. We also recommend that students join the live webinars on Microsoft Teams using a laptop or desktop computer rather than a phone or tablet due to the limited functionality of the app on these devices.

Programme details

This course begins on the 14 Jan 2027, which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting, which will be held on 21 Jan 2027, 12.30-13.30pm (UK time).

Week 1: The ablative case: revision and new usages; the genitive of description. 

Week 2: Pronouns: revision; alius, aliquis, ipse.

Week 3: Verbs: pluperfect indicative active and deponent.

Week 4: The relative pronoun quī.

Week 5: The passive voice: present, future, imperfect indicative; perfect, pluperfect indicative.

Week 6: The passive voice: imperative, infinitive; passive of irregulars. Revision of perfect participles.

Week 7: Ablative absolute. Present participles.

Week 8: Pluperfect subjunctive active, passive and deponent. Cum + subjunctive.

Week 9: Present subjunctive active, passive and deponent. Introduction of the imperfect subjunctive.

Week 10: Imperfect subjunctive active, passive and deponent. Summary. Indirect commands and other uses of the subjunctive.

Teaching methods

This course takes place over 10 weeks, with a weekly learning schedule and weekly live webinar held on Microsoft Teams. Shortly before a course commences, students are provided with access to an online virtual learning environment, which houses the course content, including video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials. Working through these materials over the course of the week will prepare students for a weekly 1-hour live webinar you will share with your expert tutor and fellow students. All courses are structured to amount to 100 study hours, so that on average, you should set aside 10 hours a week for study. Although the course finishes after 10 weeks, all learning materials remain available to all students for 12 months after the course has finished.

All courses are led by an expert tutor. Tutors guide students through the course materials as part of the live interactions during the weekly webinars. Tutors will also provide individualised feedback on your assignments. All online courses are taught in small student cohorts so that you and your peers will form a mutually supportive and vibrant learning community for the duration of the course. You will learn from your fellow students as well as from your tutor, and they will learn from you.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will:

• have learnt the passive voice and most tenses of the subjunctive moods, some new syntactical constructions (ablative absolute, cum + subjunctive, some substantive clauses), new pronouns and uses of the cases;
• have acquired new vocabulary items and idioms; 
• be able to read with confidence and enjoy Latin texts of increasing difficulty.

Assessment methods

You will be set optional assignments to consolidate your learning and to allow you to progress at your own pace. Weekly tests/quizzes and homework will provide a means of gauging progress over the course.

Mrs Elena Vacca

Elena Giulia Vacca is a Classicist specialising in Comparative Literature and the Classical Reception of Greek tragedy in Russian literature. She is completing her DPhil in Classics at the University of Oxford, where she also lectures in Latin. In addition, she teaches Latin and Ancient Greek at the City Literary Institute in London, and Italian as a second language at the Italian Cultural Institute.

Fees

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, or are a care-leaver in the UK, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Concessionary fees for short courses

Textbooks

To participate in the course you will need to buy, or have regular access to, the following books:

• Jones, P. V. (Peter V.), and Keith C Sidwell. Reading Latin. Text and Vocabulary.Second edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016.
• Jones, P. V. (Peter V.), and Keith C Sidwell.Reading Latin. Grammar and Exercises.Second edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016.

In addition to the course textbook, there will be additional learning resources made available for self-study and consolidation.
Please ensure you are able to access copies of any required textbooks prior to enrolling on a course but please keep in mind that courses with insufficient students enrolled will be cancelled. The Department accepts no responsibility for books bought in anticipation of a course running.

Please use the ‘Book now’ button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

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