2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MEDV5001M Intermediate Medieval Latin

30 creditsClass Size: 10

Module manager: Charles Roe
Email: C.H.Roe@Leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module is designed for students who have considerable acquaintance with Latin, whether Classical or Medieval. While basic morphology is not reviewed, approximately one third of the module focuses on understanding complex Latin. You will acquire a working vocabulary of about 1500 words, with a particular concentration on medieval vocabulary and classYesical vocabulary with medieval meanings. The other two thirds of the module is devoted to training in the comprehension and translation of Medieval Latin texts from a wide range of periods and geographical locations, through which you will gain experience with features of the language common to medieval authors, a variety of technical Latin vocabularies, and an understanding of the use of Medieval Latin to answer wider research questions.

Objectives

The module is designed to equip students with:
(1) a thorough knowledge of Latin grammar including sophisticated features;
(2) a working vocabulary of about 1500 words;
(3) the ability to translate texts of intermediate difficulty with the aid of specialist academic resources; and
(4) to provide experience with (a) interpreting a variety of styles, genres, and traditions of Medieval Latin, and (b) using specialised tools for the study of Medieval Latin to answer research questions.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Analyse a wide and diverse range of Medieval Latin texts with the aid of specialised resources.
2. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Latin grammar, including sophisticated features.
3. Apply sophisticated translation practice to answer research questions in Medieval Studies.

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Proficiency in a complex inflected language.
5. Evaluate critically the varieties of cultural practice in an unfamiliar language in depth.
6. Assess and analyse critically across disciplinary boundaries to answer innovative research questions.

Syllabus

This module will consistently balance sophisticated grammatical study with training in reading a diverse range of Medieval Latin texts and employing them to answer interdisciplinary research questions. It will dedicate the two-hour seminars to reading practice and the one-hour workshops to grammatical study.

The reading practice will cover a wide range of texts, which might include biblical narrative, biblical commentaries, history writing, documentary sources, poetry, and philosophy. It will aim to give a sense of Latin’s chronological and geographical distribution in the medieval period and draw attention to the linguistic differences this can raise. It will also include training in the sophisticated use of specialist research aids to support translation work and analysis of the ways in which translation can be used to inform interdisciplinary research in Medieval Studies.

The grammatical study will concentrate on the more sophisticated elements of Latin grammar, in particular participles, subjunctives, and forms of indirect speech. This technical work will be consistently connected to the texts studied in the rest of the module.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Practical	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			267.00
Total Contact hours			33.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

VLE continuing assessment is monitored weekly to monitor progress and diagnose any difficulties. Workshop tutor assesses students' translations through class participation in which their work is read and discussed. Clinic tutor explains remaining grammatical concepts, gives supplemental drills and exercises and individualised guidance. Students with learning or other difficulties are encouraged to come to an office hour for additional guidance and practice.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Online Assessment	1,000-word essay and unseen translation	80.00
Assignment	4 Translations	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Coursework: The four translations are based on short passages from texts discussed in seminars, set by the module leader. They are submitted at regular intervals throughout the semester. Students have the opportunity to revise their translations after the seminar and to use any technical aids available. OTLA: This consists of two sections. There is a 1,000-word essay question, in which students are asked to compare two translations of a Latin text previously studied in seminars, provided in the exam paper. They are expected to account for the translation differences and outline their implications for interdisciplinary research in Medieval Studies. There is also a short unseen translation from a text which has not been translated in the public sphere. Students are encouraged to use any technical aids available. These exercises draw on the skills students developed in the formative feedback and the prepared translation, and bring them closer to the demands that original research might make on their Medieval Latin.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:15:06

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