CLASSICS 110 (004): GREEK AND LATIN ROOTS OF ENGLISH



The GREEK AND LATIN ROOTS OF ENGLISH

SPRING 2016 CLA 11000 (3 credits)

Course Information

Instructor: Irene Morrison-Moncure, imorrison-moncure@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Fridays by appointment

Class Info: Tuesdays and Fridays, 11:10a-12:25p West Building 224, Hunter College

Required Text: (available at Shakespeare & Co., on Lexington Avenue between 68th and 69th St.)

1. Tamara M. Green. The Greek and Latin Roots of English. 4th edition. New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2007. ISBN: 0742547809.

2. You must have access to a dictionary that lists etymological information, such as The American Heritage Dictionary, College Edition. Dictionaries are also available in the reference section of the library.

3. Bookmark on your computer or phone.

Course Description

Welcome to Roots, aka real life “Words with Friends.” This course will provide an overview of the principles of identifying the etymologies in the English language, particularly the Greek and Roman roots of English words. The course will present the fundamentals of word creation, the basic principles of Greek and Latin needed to identify English roots, and a basic history of the English language.

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the semester, it is expected that you will be able to

1. Read a dictionary entry

2. Use etymological information and clues to understand words

3. Make educated and reasoned estimations when guessing the meanings of unfamiliar words

4. “Work backwards” and argue the meaning on an unknown word in a given context

5. Identify the principles of word formation and language study

6. Analyze language as a means of creating culture

7. Trace the formation of the English language, particularly those words with Latin and Greek roots

A Few Notes about Our Classroom

HW 224 is a small room for a large class. You may want to show up early to class, especially on days with quizzes, to ensure yourself a seat. I have requested extra foldable desks for the room and you can find these behind the podium. In order to keep the aisles uncluttered and allow your fellow students to safely move around the classroom during group work or activities, please keep bags, umbrellas and other personal belongings under your desk. Additionally:

Please have courtesy for those around you.

Come to class and come on time. More than three absences will affect your final grade.

Bring the textbook to each class.

Do not chat with those around you during class unless we are working in groups.

Turn off electronic devices used for pleasure (phones can be used for academic purposes).

Homework, reading, or any other such activity unrelated to the course is not permitted during the class.

Have fun and enjoy yourself.

Formative Assignments

Homework: 30%

Formative assignments are knowledge checkpoints that help you assess your mastery of the material before it’s tested on the quiz. These will include homework, daily warm-ups, and a midterm review of the course objectives.

Homework will consist of 1) reading and exercises from the textbook and 2) dictionary projects. Homework can be typed up or written out by hand but must be uploaded to Blackboard as well as brought to class. All homework will be evaluated for completeness and effort. Dictionary projects are short (and hopefully fun) writing assignments that will involve using an etymology dictionary. Specific instructions for each assignment will be available on Blackboard. Homework is due at the beginning of class and late work will be penalized.

Summative Assessments

Quizzes: 40%, Final: 20%

This course has 7 summative checkpoints: 6 quizzes and 1 final. These exams help me assess your mastery of the material. Since the final exam is based on the quizzes they are formative too; keep them once graded to use as a study guide. Quizzes are given at the beginning of class after a review of last minute questions and a short de-stressing activity.

A 30-minute quiz will follow our coverage of certain chapters in Professor Green's text. The first quiz is scheduled two weeks after the first class, and subsequent quizzes occur every two weeks from then on.

A cumulative final examination with additional material from Chapters 14 and 17 of Prof. Green's text, is scheduled for Monday, 18 May, from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM.

N.B. I offer no makeup quizzes or exams EXCEPT when given a valid doctor's note. To arrange for a makeup exam, please e-mail me on the day of your absence.

Participation

Attendance: 10%

Your participation in this class is based on attendance, several small in-class group projects, and a willingness to give it your best shot if called upon.

That being said, it is mandatory that you attend class regularly. Attendance will be taken daily, latecomers will not be allowed to sign the attendance list, and three or more unexcused absences will have an adverse effect on your grade. I understand life happens so your first three absences are “freebies” – you do not need to email me or bring in a note. Subsequent absences will need a note to be excused. You may fail the course if you have more than six absences, regardless of the rest of your performance.

Incompletes will be given only to students who maintain a C average or better and, under most circumstances, have an emergency that prohibits completion of the course. Incompletes will not be granted for a missing exam. Requests for an Incomplete must be made in person at least 24 hours before the final. Resolution of an Incomplete must occur before the end of the month following the end of the semester. A Credit/No Credit grade will be granted only to students who have completed all the requirements for the course. This means you must take the final and make an honest effort to do the best you can on it.

Preparation for Class

Finally, this course anticipates 4-5 hours of coursework outside the classroom per week. To help you understand the daily requirements, a course website will be maintained on Blackboard: you can log in at . Blackboard will be our online classroom: here you can find the syllabus, upload your homework, review the format for quizzes, and even discuss study hacks with your fellow students in the discussion board. Please go to HN 109 if you need help with Blackboard.

Read assignments thoroughly and carefully before each class. Take notes including questions you have. This course requires lots of memorization of new words, the principles of Latin and Greek word formation, and unfamiliar grammatical terms. Develop and employ consistent strategies for memorization, such as flashcards or oral repetition. Whatever works for you is best, but you need to make a conscious effort to figure out what does. If you are having trouble, do not wait until you are over your head to reach out to me.

Tentative Schedule (Subject to Change)

Week 1: Course Introduction, Student Survey, Chapter 2 Language Families/Ch. 3 January 29/February 2

Due Monday: Name Project

Week 2: Chapter 3 How Latin Works cont., Chapter 5 How Greek Works February 5/9 Due Thursday: Exercises, p.21-24; Exercises A-C, p. 35-39

Due Monday: Quiz 1 Chapter 2-3

Week 3: Chapter 5 How Greek Works; Chapter 6 Learned Borrowings February 18*

Due Thursday: Lincoln’s Birthday – NO CLASS

Due Wednesday*: Exercises, p. 67-69; p. 77-79, Review Greek Alphabet

Week 4: Chapter 8 Greek and Latin Numbers; Chapter 17 The Calendar (p.254) February 19/23

Due Thursday: Nothing but start creating good strategies for memorization!

Due Monday: Exercises A-C, p. 103-106

Week 5: Chapter 7 Latin and Greek Prefixes - Latin Prepositions February 26/March 2

Due Thursday: Quiz 2 Chapter 5, 6, 8, 17

Due Monday: Classical Moments Project

Week 6: Chapter 7 Latin and Greek Prefixes and Prepositions March 5/9

Due Thursday: Nothing

Due Monday: Exercises A, C, E, F, p. 89-96

Week 7: Chapter 7 Latin and Greek Prefixes /Preps. from Adverbs and Adjectives March 12/16

Due Thursday: Nothing

Due Monday: Loan Words Project

Week 8: Chapter 9 Government and Politics March 19/23

Due Thursday: Quiz 3 Chapter 6 (review), 7

Due Monday: Latinate Project

Week 9: Chapter 9 Government and Politics March 26/30

Due Thursday: Nothing but make sure to review content from past chapters throughout the semester!

Due Monday: Exercise B-D, p. 122-23

Week 10: Chapter 9 Government and Politics April 2

Due Thursday: Exercise A, p. 119

Week 11: Chapter 10 Psychology April 13

Due Monday: Quiz 4 Chapter 9

Week 12: Chapter 10 Psychology April 16/20

Due Thursday: Phobias and Manias Project

Due Monday: Exercises A ONLY, p, 135-6

Week 13: Chapter 12 Human Biology and Medicine Part 1 April 23/27

Due Thursday: Quiz 5 Chapter 10

Due Monday: Exercise C ONLY, p. 170 and Song Project

Week 14: Chapter 12 Human Biology and Medicine Part 1 April 30/May 4

Due Thursday: Exercise A, p. 165-169 (evens OR odds)

Due Monday: Quiz 6 Chapter 12

Week 15: Chapter 14 Science and Mathematics (Selections)/ Chapter 17 (Selections) May 7/11

Due Thursday: Exercise A ONLY, p. 209-212 (evens OR odds)

Due Monday: One week until the final – begin studying if you haven’t started already!

Week 16: In-Class Final Exam Review and Class Conclusions May 14

Week 17: Final Exam 11:30-1:30pm May 18

Academic Integrity

Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The college is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.

Office of AccessABILITY

"In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical and/or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY located in Room E1124 to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance please call (212-772-4857)

TTY (212-650-3230)."

audentes fortuna iuvat

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