Latin Continues its Comeback
It was once considered a "dead" language, but Latin has been making a steady comeback in recent years. That trend is continuing as the Huntington School Board approved two new Latin courses for the 2013/14 school year during its meeting this past Monday night.
Trustees ratified a recommendation made by the Huntington's Educational Development Committee to offer Huntington High School students Advanced Placement Latin and Latin V/Latin V Honors. Latin has become an increasingly popular course for students interested in attending a top tier college.
"In alignment with college readiness objectives, these courses are designed to allow students who are currently engaged in the Latin sequence to complete more challenging Checkpoint C coursework," Superintendent James W. Polansky said.
The AP Latin course will delve into the readings of Caesar's Bellum Gallicum. "The questions about the validity of Rome's actions, and of Caesar's, especially in his later Bellum Civile, make these commentaries compelling to read and to discuss," according to a course synopsis provided to the Huntington School Board. "Additional selections from Caesar's letters, speeches and poetry offer fresh perspectives on his stylistic versatility. Tatum's commentary guides students through it all, pointing out Caesar's significance as a representative of his age, culture and class."
The course will also expose students to the "masterpiece of poetry" in Virgil's Aeneid -Books 1-6. "The students will translate the authentic works of these famous authors and learn about poetic meter and literary devices," states the synopsis. Course participants are expected to sit for the AP Latin exam.
Latin V/Latin V Honors will also offer a reading of Virgil's Aeneid-Books 1-6. Students will translate the works and grow in their poetic and literary knowledge along the way. They will also utilize a related workbook.