The Classical Association of Scotland is pleased to announce the next in it’s Free Online Seminar Series. Following a fascinating look at Latin epigraphy and the way in which it has survived and evolved into Scottish material culture, CAS is now offering learners the chance to engage with Latin language from the ground up.
The seminar Euge! Latin for Absolute Beginners will take place on Saturday 21st November 2020. This will be divided into three sessions, like our previous seminar, and is aimed at showing people with no previous experience of Latin that engaging with ancient texts can be a lot easier than you might think! Details of the sessions can be found below. From learning the very foundations of Latin grammar and syntax, learners will move on to working with extracts of ancient text (notably some writing by Pliny the Younger on the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE). The seminar will be rounded off by a session exploring Latin in an embedded context, using a famous funerary inscription found in Britain to springboard into wider topics of discussion.
Sessions are open to all, but we are particularly interested to hear from students taking other languages at SQA Higher level and beyond (or equivalent).
Session 1: Absolute beginners introduction to Latin. Following the Cambridge Latin Course, students will be introduced to the rudiments of Latin syntax and read some basic Latin prose passages which illustrate everyday life in the Roman town of Pompeii.
Session 2: Near beginners introduction to reading Latin literature. By reading simplified versions of extracts from the letters of Pliny the Younger, students will develop their Latin reading skill and consolidate their understanding of rudimentary Latin; and at the same time appreciate the artistry and value of Pliny’s eyewitness testimony of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79CE.
Session 3: Wider discussion of Latin in context. Students will be introduced to the funerary inscription to Regina found in South Shields (RIB 1065). This session will look at the wider use of Latin in the Roman world, and will touch upon questions of history, language and culture. The personal story raised by the funerary inscription will also be considered.
These sessions will be led by: Andy McKellar (The Glasgow Academy) and Sam Newington (University of Aberdeen). Between them, they have decades of experience in teaching ancient language to learners of all ages!
The sessions will all take place on Saturday 21st November 2020. Sessions will run from 2.15-5.30pm (Session I: 2.15-3.15; Session II: 3.30-4.30; Session III: 4.30-5.30)
To sign up, or for more information, please contact Dr Alex Imrie ([email protected]). PLEASE NOTE: participants will need to register to receive the access codes for the Zoom live sessions. Some materials will be pre-circulated to attendees and/or will be made available on this website.