SMC222F: Syllabus Dr Alison More

SMC222F
Mediaeval Latin

Alison More | Queen’s Park Building 59 Queen’s Park Crescent) Office: 47 | Office Hours: Tuesday 14:00-16:00
and by Appointment | alison.more@utoronto.ca TA: Eva Plesnik |eva.plesnik@mail.utoronto.ca
Class Location: Carr Hall 403 | Tuesday 13:00-15:00 and Asynchronous Worksheet (approx. 1 hour)

Description
This course studies a selection of mediaeval Latin texts. Emphasis is on the linguistic differences between
mediaeval Latin and its Classical antecedent, especially in regard to vocabulary, grammar, and orthography. A
review of Latin grammar is part of the course.

Pre-requisite: SMC 176Y or LAT100Y/LAT102H

Exclusion: LAT322H
Outcomes
On completion of the course, students will have:
• An understanding of the development of mediaeval Latin literature

• A familiarity with various genre of mediaeval Latin texts

• A working knowledge of mediaeval Latin vocabulary, grammar, and orthography

• Competence in working with mediaeval Latin texts

Expectations of students

Students are expected to attend all classes, to read the assigned material each week, to contribute to classroom
discussion and debate, and to hand in weekly reading sheets and other assignments. Each class will include
readings and grammatical review.

Delivery

This is a dual delivery high-flex class. This means that students have the option of accessing class material in
person or online. The highest priority is safety. If you are feeling unwell or have been in a risky situation, please
stay home and access class through the virtual platform. No matter how the material is accessed, expectations
are the same. This class ordinarily meets for two sessions a week. This year, one session is Asynchronous and
consists of a guided reading sheet (modelled after the famous ‘Ludi’ of Reginald Foster). Sheets are due on
Quercus between the end of class on Tuesdays and the following Sunday.

Class schedule

Week 1 September 15 Introduction and Overview

• Read: A.G. Rigg, “Introduction” in F.A.C. Mantello & A.G. Rigg, ed.

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Medieval Latin: An Introduction and Bibliographic Guide (Washington:

CUA Press, 1996), pp. 71-78. [NB the Book is on Quercus, only the
intro is needed now, the rest may be useful for your paper]
• Vulgate Texts
• Vulgate Reading Assignment Available
Week 2 (Verb Review – Tenses,
Markers, Irregular. Medieval
• Vulgate Texts
Word Variations)
• Fables Reading
September 22
Week 3 (Deponents and Semi-
deponents, and infinitives)
Fables
September 29
Fables Reading

Week 4 (Subjunctive)
October 6 Fables
Visionary Reading

Week 5 (Ablative Absolute)

October 13 Visions
Visionary Reading

Week 6 (Indirect Discourse) Visionary Literature

October 20 Hagiography Reading

Week 7 (Sentence Structure) Hagiography

October 27 Hagiography Reading
Week 8 (Participles) Hagiography
November 3 Augustine Reading

November 10 ****Reading Week****

Week 9 (Conditionals) Augustine

November 17 Bonaventure Reading
Papers due.

Week 10 (Review) Bonaventure

November 24 Review Reading

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Week 11 (Grammar Review) Review and Mixed Readings

December 1

Week 12
December 8 Oral Examinations

Course materials
A package of readings will be available on Quercus. This will be supplemented by additional texts on Quercus. If
you do not have access to a printer and would like a hard copy, please let me know wo we can get one to you
safely. Students are required to have a Latin dictionary (The New College Dictionary is recommended) and a
reference grammar (Gildersleeve and Lodge, Gildersleeve’s Latin Grammar is recommended).

There are a number of on-line links under “Library Resources” on Portal. These include Latin exercises at the
National Archives in the UK. These are not required, but are highly recommended, particularly for those who
require review. There are also a number of links to spoken Latin, including sermons and the modern news in
Latin.

Assignments and grading

Type Weight Description

Participation 20% Attendance and contribution to classroom discussion, exercises, and

translation.
Ludi (Reading 40% Students will be required to complete weekly reading sheets. These will
Assignments) consist of answering questions based on short reading passages. The grade
will be based on the top 6.
Paper 15% This is a 1,500-2,000-word paper discussing the evolution of a particular
genre of Latin literature. More details will be provided in class.

Examination 25% This is a comprehensive examination covering the material treated in this
course. It will be held during the final class.

The essays will consist of 1,500-2,000 words topics are to be selected by students and must be approved by the
instructor. Guidelines will be posted on Quercus.

Late submission

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The penalty for late submission of essays is -3% per day with a maximum of -15% per week. Please contact me if
you have any difficulties meeting deadlines. Given the difficulties connected with the current global situation,
every effort will be made to be flexible. If you have problems with submission dates, please let me know.

E-mail
Students should not expect an immediate response to queries via e-mail. The course instructor will make every
effort to give a prompt response to e-mails received between 9:00-16.00 (Mon-Fri). Queries of a more complex
nature may be better dealt with at meeting during office hours meeting or an appointment.

Academic integrity and plagiarism

Students are expected to read and to adhere to the University of Toronto’s Code of Behaviour on Academic
Matters (www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/policies/behaveac.htm). Presenting another’s work as one’s own is
a serious offence and is dealt with accordingly. If you have questions or concerns about what constitutes
appropriate academic behaviour or appropriate research and citation methods, you are expected to seek out
additional information on academic integrity from your instructor or from other institutional resources (see
http://academicintegrity.utoronto.ca/).

Academic support
For general academic advising and problem-solving, please contact the St. Michael’s Registrar’s Office at
ask.smc@utoronto.ca or 416-926-7117.

Accessibility and disability issues

The University provides academic accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with the terms of
the Ontario Human Rights Code. This occurs through a collaborative process that acknowledges a collective
obligation to develop an accessible learning environment that both meets the needs of students and preserves
the essential academic requirements of the University’s courses and programs. For more information on services
and resources available to instructors and students, please contact Tanya Lewis, Director of Academic Success
and Accessibility Services, at 416-978-6268 or tanya.lewis@utoronto.ca.

Recording classes and copyright

If a student wishes to tape-record, photograph, video-record or otherwise reproduce lecture presentations,
course notes or other similar materials provided by instructors, he or she must obtain the instructor’s written
consent beforehand. Otherwise all such reproduction is an infringement of copyright and is absolutely
prohibited.

Class cancellation policy

If for an unforeseen reason the course instructor must cancel a class, students will be notified by email and an
announcement will be posted to Quercus. Classes may be moved online if necessary.