Admission requirements
Linguistics students: basic knowledge of synchronic Latin grammar (A-level or equivalent)
Classics students: Griekse Taalkunde (BA 2) or equivalent knowledge of the basic principles of Historical Linguistics
Others: both the above requirements
Description
This course gives an overview of the linguistic developments (sound changes and morphological changes) taking place between Proto-Indo-European and Latin. We will also read texts and inscriptions in archaic Latin as well as in other ancient Italic languages, and explain the linguistic differences between these varieties and the Classical language. Sets of exercises will be used to test the students’ knowledge and skills.
Course objectives
The student:
knows the basic facts about the phonetics and phonology of Classical Latin;
knows the historical sound changes and morphological developments leading from PIE to Latin, is able to give a linguistic description of these developments, and to date them;
is able to identify these developments in Latin words, and to apply them to PIE reconstructions
is able to compare word forms from archaic Latin and other Italic languages to corresponding Classical Latin forms, and to explain the differences between them;
has insight in the sociolinguistic situation of Latin (Classical vs. Vulgar Latin, urban vs. rural dialects, etc.)
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Lecture/Seminar
Course Load
Total course load 5 EC x 28 hours= 140 hours
Lectures: 2 x 13 weeks = 26 hours
Preparation tutorials: 4 x 13 = 52 hours
Study of compulsory literature: 17 hours
Preparation exam: 40 hours
Exams: 5 hours
Assessment method
Assessment: Mid-term and Final exam. Both are written examinations consisting of short open questions
Weighing: Mid-term 25 %, Final exam 75 %.
Resit: The resit examination holds for both parts at once. This resit will cover the entire material of the course and the mark will replace both previously earned marks.
Exam review
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
We will use a syllabus (to be distributed via Brightspace) and exercise sets. Literature for further reading will also be made available through Brightspace.
Optional: M. Weiss, Outline of the Historical and Comparative Grammar of Latin, Beech Stave 2009 (can be ordered online at the publishers’ website)
Registration
Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Contact
For questions related to the content of the course, please contact the lecturer, you can find their contact information by clicking on their name in the sidebar.
For questions regarding enrollment please contact the Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats
E-mail address Education Administration Office Reuvensplaats: osz-oa-reuvensplaats@hum.leidenuniv.nl
For questions regarding your studyprogress contact the Coordinator of Studies
Remarks
Also offered as an MA course.