30371 - History of the Latin Language (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

Upon a successful completion of the course the student knows the main periods in the evolution of Latin (from the archaic age to late and Christian era), and some links with the other languages of ancient Italy, (e.g. Greek, Etruscan, Umbrian). (S)he is able to recognise the proper historical setting of a Latin text or document and to analyze it both synchronically and diachronically from a historical and linguistic point of view.

Course contents

This is an advanced level course; the basic skills in Latin must have already been acquired in other university courses.

The classes will commence in Term 3, with sessions scheduled for Monday 9-11 a.m., Tuesday 1-3 p.m., and Wednesday 9-11 a.m. The first session will commence on 9 February 2026.

I. Classes

• Elements of History of Latin Language (from P.I.E. to late and vulgar Latin); elements of historical phonetics, morphology and syntax (this section of the course will take approximately 15 hours)
  
• Another Latin and where to find it (reading a selection of literary and non-literary texts; this section of the course will take approximately 15 hours)
  

II. Individual work

• Juvenal, Satire 14
  
• Elements of History of the Latin language

STUDENTS NOT JOINING CLASSES

Regarding section I (lectures by the lecturer), non-attending students must substitute the Institutional part of the History of the Latin Language with the study of the first 6 chapters of Palmer's textbook. They must also substitute the passages relating to the monographic theme with a Latin text to be agreed with the lecturer before taking the examination.

Section II (Juvenal + Palmer's Chapters 8-10) remains unchanged and common to all students.

Readings/Bibliography

• Section I
• Notes from classes
• The slides with the contents of the classes, as well as the texts read during the course will be uploaded to the online platform Virtuale
• The bibliography for non-attending students will be provided by the lecturer once the text to be prepared has been established.
  

 

• Section II
  

• The study of L.R. Palmer, The Latin language, London, Faber and Faber, 1961 (chapt. viii, ix, x) is compulsory . The reading of J. Clackson-G. Horrocks, The Blackwell History of the Latin Language, Malden (MA) 2007 is just recommended (but will not be dealt with during the final examination).

 

• for the study of Juvenal's text, any edition will be accepted, as for instance:  Giovenale, Satira 14, a c. di F. Zullo, Bologna (BUP) 2016

Teaching methods

Lectures in class.

Please notice that the first part of the programm will be done during class, while students will be charged to the second one (i.e. translating a text from Latin into Italian; studying the handbook of History of the Latin Language); Erasmus students are allowed to translate into English or French or German or Spanish as well.

 

Assessment methods

Viva voce examination (30 min.), which , through reading and translating from the Latin texts dealt with in class and listed in the program, will test the ability of understanding and translating the studied texts and the main aspects (phonetics, morphology and syntax) of the history of Latin language.

Four principal inquiries will be addressed:
1. Institutions of History of the Latin Language (Notes from classes)
2. Elements of Historical Grammar  (Palmer)
3. Reading, translation, and linguistic analysis of a text from the monographic course
4. Reading, translation, and analysis of Juvenal 14 for which metrical reading is required.

failing grades: lack of basic linguistic knowledge and inability to produce a correct translation and interpretation of th text.

passing grades: language proficiency at an intermediate level; translation and interpretation of the texts mostly correct, but inaccurate and lacking autonomy

positive grades: language proficiency at an intermediate level; translation and interpretation of the texts fully correct, but not always accurate and autonomous.

excellent grades: language proficiency at an upper-mid level; translation and interpretation of the texts not only correct, but performed with autonomy and precision

Erasmus students are allowed to attend the exam - as far as translation from Latin is concerned - in English, French, German or Spanish.

Teaching tools

 

The slides with the contents of the classes will be uploaded to the online platform Virtuale

 

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities:

please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Bruna Pieri