In this seminar I discuss the idea that the teaching of Latin is most effective in the rhetoric stage taught as primarily a Literature course rather than a language course. This method necessitates an intentional, prolonged, and reflective conversation with the students about genre, authorial intent, rhetorical devices, and cultural content that capitalizes both on the students’ (ongoing) mastery of Latin grammar as well as their ability to synthesize in an inter disciplinary manner. Some specifically practical approaches I include are Socratic dialogue, presentations, essays, memorization, and choice-within-stricture methods of evaluation. Finally, I conclude with a time of discussion specifically geared toward exchanging and collaborating readings, rubrics, prompts, etc. appropriate for the rhetoric stage.
Marcus Foster
Marcus graduated from Baylor University with a BA in Classics in 2000. He worked with youth in Berlin for ve years, part of which was also spent studying theology at Humboldt Universität. He completed an MHum in Classics/Theology from the University in Dallas in 2011. Heavily invested in languages, Marcus aims to stir a love for language and literature in his students at Covenant Classical School (Fort Worth), teaching Latin and chairing the Languages department. He and his wife, Julie, have been married for 15 years, blessed with three beautiful daughters and one strapping son.