Classics

One of the enduring gifts of studying the classics, beyond the acquisition of important academic skills such as memoriza­tion and grammar, is that it exposes students to the rich vari­ety of ideas and perspectives that informed much of western thought, literature and history. By understanding where we came from, and by shedding critical light on past achieve­ments, assumptions and mistakes, students of the classics gain a unique perspective on where we have been, where we are and where we might be headed. Beyond these conceptual enrichments, students benefit from the mental discipline that learning these languages necessarily entails.

The course sequence in Latin begins with a combined gram­matical and readerly approach to language instruction. Latin I and II use Wheelock’s Latin Grammar to provide a solid foun­dation in vocabulary, morphology and grammar. Both courses supplement this with adapted readings: Latin I from Greek and Roman mythology, and Latin II with readings from the early history of Rome. Upper level courses are arranged by genre, beginning with prose authors and moving to the poets. Latin III presents the oratory of Cicero and the history of Sallust, Latin IV explores Roman philosophy and satire, while Latin IVH (AP) and V cover Latin epic and lyric. The cultural, historical and literary foci of these courses allow a student to acquire a basic understanding of Roman politics and civiliza­tion of the republican and imperial periods.

In Greek, students follow a similar pattern, learning grammar in years one and two that prepares them for the beginning level prose of Xenophon, and gradually moving to the intermediate prose of Plato and to the poetry of Homer in Greek III.

Classics Diploma

Students who complete three years of one Classic language and two years of the other and who take one semester of Classical Civilization or complete a senior project on a topic of their choice under the supervision of a faculty member, qualify for the Classics Diploma. In addition, Classics Diploma students are expected to promote Classics at St. Mark’s by taking lead­ership positions in the Classic’s Society and are encouraged to travel to Greece or Rome on the bi-annual Classics trip.