LL 4-5: Latin Readings - Ancient B

This is an advanced readings course in the Latin language that builds upon previous years of study. Students will continue to practice and develop reading techniques which will aid them in the comprehension of Latin texts. The readings include authors mainly from the classical period, such as Caesar and Virgil, with additional readings from Medieval and Modern Latin sources. The classical reading syllabus mirrors the Advanced Placement (AP) reading list. Medieval and Modern readings are taken from the great Latin poets and writers of the high middle ages and from Church encyclicals, both of which sources are important in forming the Catholic Latin student and his ability to go to the Latin when questions of translation arise. This course is immensely useful in preparing students for either the National Latin Exams or the AP Latin exam.

N.B. This course is not officially recognized by College Board,—the institution which crafts and sanctions AP exams—it only follows the curricular reading list to best prepare those who wish to take the exam.

Since students have already been introduced to the grammar of the Latin language, the focus of the class will be upon reading proficiency. Latin, like all other languages, uses syntactical patterns through which an author communicates the intended meaning. Teaching students to recognize these patterns is the goal of the course, and it greatly aids them in comprehending the language.