Assessment For this course, we are adopting a version of L. Nilson’s “Specifications Grading,” which makes clear what students must accomplish to earn a specific grade (and thus effectively enables them to decide exactly how much time/energy they are willing to commit). The course has a few basic minimums but most activities are optional and all assignments are graded as satisfactory/unsatisfactory. Each final grade requires students to complete a certain number of satisfactory assignments from five different categories, as outlined in the chart below (for example, students who want to earn a B– must satisfactorily complete 8 quizzes, the 4 basic parts of the Capsula project, 6 Capsulae Opuscula, and have fewer than 5 absences). Once students have completed the minimum number of satisfactory assignments for the final grade they want, they do not need to submit further examples of that assignment type (but may choose to do so for a bonus; see “Saltus” below). Tabellae (“tokens”): Every student begins the course with five tabellae that may be exchanged to: erase an absence or allow for resubmission of a quiz, Capsula part, or Opusculum. There may be opportunities to earn additional tabellae. Unsatisfactory pieces may be resubmitted within 7 days after Prof. Polt returns the evaluated assignment if accompanied by the required additions as follows: Quiz: the original quiz with corrections of all error(s) made in a different color ink, brief (<1p.) explanation of what caused the error(s) and how you plan to address that deficiency, and one tabella. Capsula part or Opusculum: the original and revised assignments, a written peer-review from someone else in the course, brief (<1p.) explanation of how you modified your submission, and one tabella. Saltus (“leaps”): Students who satisfactorily complete a set of assignments will earn final grade at the bottom of that letter range (A–, B–, C–, D–); if they choose, they may bump that final grade up by one partial level (e.g., from B– to B or from B to B+) by submitting the following: *Four unused tabellae at the end of the term *One satisfactory study aid designed to assist *Two additional satisfactory opuscula students in this or future iterations of the course. *Two additional satisfactory quizzes N.b., a saltus cannot move you into another letter grade range (e.g., B+ to A–) but you may complete two saltus (from either different categories or the same) in order to jump twice (e.g., from B– to B to B+). Final Grade
A–
B–
C–
D–
Quizzes
10
8
6
4
Capsula
√
√
√
√
Opuscula
8
6
4
2
Absences
<3
<5
<7
<9
√
X
X
X
Paper
Activities
Quizzes: Offered weekly, the quizzes assess facility in translating both previously-seen and sight Latin passages, parsing forms and grammatical usage, and scanning meter. “Satisfactory” quizzes are at least 85% free of errors. A Catullan Capsula: For our term-long research project, each student will choose one or more of Catullus’ poems (ca. 25 lines total) for which they will become the class’ resident expert. Each week, you will have the opportunity to undertake a short research activity designed to let you practice and demonstrate facility with specific scholarly skills and/or tools. See below for fuller details and options. Paper: Students who wish to earn at least an A– for the course may produce a medium-length research paper (ca. 7–8 pp.). The paper should offer a literary interpretation of some aspect of Catullus’ work, preferably focusing on the student’s capsula poem(s), and must be developed in consultation with Prof. Polt beginning no later than Nov. 9. An unsatisfactory paper will require a satisfactory resubmission by 12:30pm on Dec. 15.
A Catullan Capsula
capsula, -ae, f., “a small box, esp. for papyrus scrolls” Throughout the term you will steadily develop a portfolio or “capsula” of studies on a focused area of Catullus’ work. Begin by reading all Catullus’ poems in English and choose one or more poems (ca. 25 lines total) you would like to investigate thoroughly. Each capsula must include the following four basic parts: 1) A polished translation, due Sept. 12; 2) A close reading, due Sept. 19; 3) A contextualization of your poem(s) within Catullus’ corpus, due Nov. 28; 4) An annotated bibliography summarizing and critiquing 10 secondary sources relevant to your poem(s), one 100– 200 word entry due each Wednesday with a compilation due Nov. 30. Additionally, each Monday you may submit one opusculum (“small work”) from the menu below. All elements should be polished, concise (1–3 pp.), and cogent.
Opuscula Selecta
1) Metrical Analysis Starting with L. Morgan’s Musa Pedestris, research the broader generic implications of the meter(s) of your poem(s); then fully scan your poem(s) and analyze how rhythm, text, and content meaningfully interact. 2) Lexical Analysis Using the Oxford Latin Dictionary and the Thesaurus Linguae Latinae (if available), as well as commentaries and relevant secondary scholarship, analyze a significant word in your poem(s). Identify its usual range of meanings and whether Catullus uses it in non-standard ways and analyze its significance for your poem(s). 3) Grammatical Analysis Identify an unusual grammatical usage in your poem(s) and, consulting a standard grammar (e.g., Allen & Greenough or Gildersleeve), try to explain why Catullus employs it and what it contributes to your poem(s). 4) Allusion Interpretation Read the first two chapters of S. Hinds’ Allusion and Intertext for a primer on poetic allusion and identify an instance of allusion in your poem(s). Research and summarize briefly how prior scholars have understood this allusion and then offer your own interpretation of it in dialogue with the scholarly discussion. 5) Commentary Synthesis Read the major Catullus commentaries (Ellis, Merrill, Fordyce, Quinn, Thomson) say about your poem(s). What patterns do you see? Where do they disagree significantly? What blindspots do you find in them all? 6) Commentary Production To be done only after opusculum #5 and preferably after most opuscula. Fix blindspots you noted in existing commentaries by writing your own from a specific angle (e.g., socio-cultural, ethnological, historical, etc). 7) Textual Criticism Review For ambitious students only! Begin by reading M. West’s Textual Criticism (pp.7–28), Thomson’s intro to the manuscripts (pp. 22–38), and R. Nisbet’s “Notes on the Text of Catullus.” Using CatullusOnline and relevant secondary scholarship, identify a word/phrase in your poem(s) on whose reading editors disagree, summarize briefly the proposed possibilities, and argue for which reading you believe is correct. 8) Topical Background Research Research a broad topic relevant to your poem(s) (e.g., geographic place, historical event, cultural practice) and show how it informs Catullus’ work. You may write up to three opuscula of this sort on different topics. 9) Translation Reception Find 3–5 English translations of your poem(s) and analyze how they seem to interpret Catullus differently. 10) Something Else! Propose a new opusculum you think would help elaborate your poem(s); clear your idea with Prof. Polt first.
