Oxford Latin Course: Part III (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Maurice Balme (Author), James Morwood (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 019521207X | ISBN-13: 978-0195212075 | Publication Date: April 17, 1997 | Edition: 2

Designed for North American students, this special version of the Oxford Latin Course combines the best features of both modern and traditional methods of Latin teaching, providing an exciting, stimulating introduction and approach to Latin based on the reading of original texts.
In this four-volume North American edition, the order of declensions corresponds to customary U.S. usage, and the spelling has been Americanized. In addition, it offers full-color illustrations and photographs throughout Parts I and II and an expanded Teacher's Book with translations for each part. Parts I-III (now available in hardcover editions) are built around a narrative detailing the life of Horace, now based more closely on historical sources, which helps students to get to know real Romans--with their daily activities, concerns, and habits--and to develop an understanding of Roman civilization during the time of Cicero and Augustus. Part IV (paperback) is a reader consisting of extracts from Caesar, Cicero, Catullus, Virgil, Livy, and Ovid.
The second edition of the Oxford Latin Course has been carefully designed to maximize student interest, understanding, and competence. It features a clearer presentation of grammar, revised narrative passages, new background sections, more emphasis on daily life and on the role of women, a greater number and variety of exercises, and review chapters and tests. Each chapter opens with a set of cartoons with Latin captions that illustrate new grammar points. A Latin reading follows, with new vocabulary highlighted in the margins and follow-up exercises that focus on reading comprehension and grammatical analysis. A background essay in English concludes each chapter. Covering a variety of topics--from history to food, from slavery to travel, these engaging essays present a well-rounded picture of Augustan Rome.
The Oxford Latin Course, Second Edition offers today's students and teachers an exceptionally engaging and attractive introduction to the language, literature, and culture of Rome--one that builds skills effectively and is exciting to use.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is the best-looking survey course material I have seen for intermediate Latin students. It is not only attractive in presentation, but also an excellent grammar review for my students."--Bette J. Ruellan, University of San Francisco

"Very much suited to the needs of the inexperienced student both in content of the selection and in practical exercises on grammar."--Sister Therese M. Dougherty, College of Notre Dame

"This is the best that I have even used in an elementary Latin sequence. It strikes a good balance between the 'inductive' and 'deductive' approaches....The readings...are compelling and appropriately challenging."--Brenda Fineberg, Knox College

"Exciting! Just what I've been looking for--selections and layout are appealing and conducive to student success."--Marilee Consalvo, Sacopee Valley High School, Cornish, ME

"Just perfect for our students' first reading course. They will be delighted by the selections, as well as informed. I am particularly pleased with the exercises that complement the readings."--Alysa J. Ward, University of Georgia

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Maurice Balme is retired from the Harrow School. James Morwood, formerly Head of Classics at Harrow School in England, is now a Fellow at Wadham College, Oxford and Grocyn Lecturer for the Literae Humaniores Faculty.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (April 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019521207X
• ISBN-13: 978-0195212075
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Latin

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, December 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Oxford Latin Course: Part III (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

this textbook is as good as it gets. unusually attractive, generously illustrated, yet at the same time highly challenging, the oxford course is a major success at textbook writing. after studying this course one gets a comprehensive view of roman history and culture, in addition to a knowledge of the language. and the narrative about horace at the center of this course reads like a novel.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great series!, July 27, 2010

By 

Michael R., "I, Demens" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oxford Latin Course: Part III (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

These four books make a great introductory course. They many not be the easiest, by any means, but they are far and away one of the best and most rewarding. While on one level it is definitely a "reading course" (i.e., it has you reading extended narrative prose from the very beginning) it really does combine the best of the modern and traditional approaches. The course develops reading skills as much as any "inductive" textbook (even one at the end of the spectrum like Cambridge Latin Course), and yet it teaches grammar explicitly and from the very beginning. Furthermore the grammar is presented in manageable amounts (though not in dribs and drabs), and authors tend to present things in a more sensible sequence than a strictly traditional textbook. Thus someone who finishes this course will have very strong reading skills and yet will have as solid an understanding of grammar and syntax as someone who has used an old-fashioned grammar-translation textbook like Wheelock.

The premise of the course, which follows the life of the Roman poet Horace, is absolutely brilliant. We know a fair amount about the personal life of Horace through his Satires and Odes, and Horace lived through (and was even an active participant in) some of the most interesting events in Roman history. Hence, the entire course breaths Roman history. Also, the Latin of the narrative passages -- almost from the very beginning -- feels like real Latin (much more so than almost any beginning Latin book), and at times can be quite lovely. Book III (the last third of course that presents basic Latin grammar and syntax) introduces extended excerpts from the poetry of Horace and Vergil. This is a bit of a stretch for the beginner, but it's well worth the effort. Someone who has completed this course, unlike most other textbook, will have had some significant contact with the grandeur of Roman literature.

The Reader (the fourth book in the series) is a bit of a stretch for beginning students. There are no long marks (though an argument can be made that this is a good time to dispense with them), and the selection of authors, on whole, is a bit tough (Caesar being by far the easiest). An easier author like Eutropius or Nepos might have been a good addition to this reader (of course, it could be supplemented with War with Hannibal: Authentic Latin Prose for the Beginning Student or Cornelius Nepos: Three Lives -- Alcibiades, Dion, Atticus, or the like). On the other hand, perhaps the students' exposure to Horace and Vergil in Book III prepares them for the tougher literature.

There is also a very good teacher's manual that gives both historical background to each chapter (remember this course is absolutely saturated with Roman history!) as well as a full answer key to the exercises and reading passages. This would make the course very user-friendly for the independent learner.

5.0 out of 5 stars From a self-teaching point of view, a very good source, September 12, 2011

By 

Caitlin Moore - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oxford Latin Course: Part III (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

The Oxford Latin Course is the best. Its' grammar is represented very clearly. unlike other texbooks, such as Cambridge or Ecce Romani, there is major focus on the grammar, rather than the actual stories or culture. however, after every chapter, there is a section on culture and history which relates to the text and is interesting to read.
i taught myself the course, and it was easy and enjoyable. the grammar was explained very clearly, and the relating passages were packed with all the new grammar which had been taught in the previous chapters-thus, i could practise applying my knowledge of the grammar through translations.
the only bad thing about the book are the horrific cartoons at the beginning of each chapter. but, you begin to grow used to them.
the course covers everything important in terms of grammar, and there is great focus on the subjunctive mood in the third book. the course is also completed by a reader which includes extracts from Caesar, Cicero, Livy, Ovid, etc. i'm not quite sure if the jump is too great from easy narratives to original Latin text-?- but i'd like to try it out when i get the chance.