Classics
The study of classical languages ties together many strands of bbin娱乐平台’s liberal arts curriculum. There is no better way to appreciate a culture than to learn its language; therefore, students at Boston University Academy come into contact with the ancients more intimately by learning ancient Greek or Latin. Courses focus on syntax and translation skills, so that students are able to read, in the original language, the texts upon which bbin娱乐平台’s core humanities curriculum is based. Furthermore, the study of a classical language fosters an appreciation for detail and an eye for beauty in language and literature.
CL25: Latin I: Introduction to Latin, Part One
This course is the first half of our two-year introductory sequence. In this course, students build a strong foundation in classical Latin. Key components of the course are vocabulary acquisition and a mastery of word-forms. Students learn how to decline all the types of Latin nouns and adjectives, how to conjugate verbs in the indicative mood, and how to apply their knowledge of vocabulary and forms when translating. Even from the beginning, the focus is on exposing students to as many primary Latin texts as possible; we also consider the historical and cultural context of the materials we read. Text used: Suburani.
CL45: Latin II: Introduction to Latin, Part Two
In this second half of our two-year introductory sequence, students solidify and increase their proficiency with Latin grammar through exposure to more complex syntactical structures. Participial phrases, indirect statements, the subjunctive mood, and subordinate clauses are studied. During the year, students are introduced to readings from authors including Cicero, Catullus, and Virgil, and they acquire an understanding of the fundamentals of Latin poetic meter. Students also explore prose and poetry beyond the classical world, from Pompeiian graffiti through medieval texts. By the end of the course, students will have gained the grammar skills and a familiarity with literary conventions that will enable them to read Latin poetry and prose in the original. Text used: Wheelock’s Latin and Suburani.
CL65: Latin III: Reading Prose and Poetry
Having completed their grammatical training, third-year students read – exclusively in the original – from among the great works of Latin literature. Topics and authors vary from year to year; recent course offerings have included selections from Lucretius, Livy, Cicero, Sallust, Virgil, Ovid, Apuleius, and Augustine. While reading the texts in the original Latin, students discuss points of grammar, structure, and meter as well as explore the literary and historical contexts of the works. Critical analysis of scholarly research on the texts is a frequent element of the course. Successful completion of CL 65 prepares students for Boston University’s upper-division reading seminars.
CG25: Ancient Greek I: Introduction to Ancient Greek, Part One
This course is the first half of our two-year introductory sequence. Students build a strong foundation in ancient Greek. The twin aims of the course are vocabulary acquisition and a mastery of word-forms. Students learn noun declensions and verb conjugations in the indicative, subjunctive, and optative moods; they apply their knowledge of grammar to the translation of ancient Greek sentences and short passages. As the year progresses, students gain the ability to read increasingly complex sentences and continuous Greek prose, from Aesop’s fables, to tragedy, history, and philosophy. We consider the historical and cultural contexts of the texts and authors we encounter. Historical and cultural context will be applied whenever appropriate and helpful. Text used: Anne Groton’s From Alpha to Omega.
CG45: Ancient Greek II: Introduction to Ancient Greek, Part Two
In this second half of our two-year introductory sequence, Greek students continue to improve their vocabulary and grammar skills while exploring more complicated aspects of Greek sentence structure. Students explore athematic verbs, indirect statements, and a variety of subordinate clauses. As their mastery of Greek increases, students read passages drawn from such authors as Homer, Herodotus, Thucydides, Euripides, and Plato. Grammatical instruction is often strengthened by English-to-Greek prose composition. Successful completion of this course will prepare students to pursue further study in Greek at Boston University. Text used: Anne Groton’s From Alpha to Omega.
CG65: Ancient Greek III: Reading Prose and Poetry
Having completed their grammatical training, third-year students read–exclusively in the original–from among the great works of ancient Greek literature. Topics and authors can vary from year to year, but likely authors include Plato, Herodotus, Euripides, and Homer. While reading the texts in the original Greek, students discuss points of grammar, structure, and meter as well as explore the literary and historical contexts of the works. Critical analysis of scholarly research on the texts is a frequent element of the course. Successful completion of CG65 prepares students for Boston University’s upper-division reading seminars.