Wellesley-MIT
Teacher Education
Additional Information on Subject Matter Knowledge and Subject
Advising
for the Latin and Classical Humanities Teaching Program
Subject
Matter Requirements.
Massachusetts
regulations specify the following subject matter knowledge requirements
for Latin and Classical Humanities teachers.
To understand more about what is intended in each area, please
study the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework for Foreign
Language (this has small sections devoted to the special concerns
of
the classical language teacher), which we can give you a
copy of
and which can be found on line at www.doe.mass.edu You can
also examine the test objectives for the Massachusetts subject
test
in this area. (This test is required only for licensure in
Massachusetts.) To see these objectives, go to doe.mass.edu,
and select Educator
Licensure Tests.
Areas
of subject matter knowledge for Latin and Classical Humanities:
Latin
and Classical Humanities (grades 5-12)
(a) Selections commonly read in secondary schools from
the works of Cicero, Caesar, Catullus, Vergil, Horace,
Ovid,
and Pliny
the Younger in the original Latin
(b) How English words are derived and formed from Greek
and Latin prefixes, bases, and suffixes, and the influence
of
Greek and
Latin on the technical vocabulary of the arts, sciences,
and professions (medical and legal)
(c) Works of Greek literature in translation including
Herodotus, Homer, Plato, Sappho, Thucydides, and the
four major dramatists
[Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes]
(d) Culture and history of ancient Greece and Rome,
with emphasis on those elements that contributed to
the foundation
of modern
Western civilization, including:
1. Major myths and legends
2. Significant characteristics of classical art, architecture,
and technology
3. Major genres of literature
4. Political, social, and economic institutions
(e) Linguistics and theories of classical language
acquisition
(f) Methods of research and criticism as they apply
to the study of Latin and classical humanities
(g) Basic reading knowledge of the Greek language as
demonstrated by ability to translate from the first
book of Homer’s
Iliad or from Plato’s Apology
(h) Knowledge of grammar and syntax of classical
Latin
You
would meet the requirements, first, by completing the set of courses
described below; second, by doing
additional
study
in areas where you have not taken courses; and, third,
by demonstrating your knowledge via student teaching
and the
MTEL subject test.
(MTEL stands for Massachusetts Test for Educator
Licensure.) Or if you do not plan to take the MTEL subject
test
because you do not intend to teach in Massachusetts,
you can
alternatively do a portfolio review process.
Planning
required subject matter courses and study
Students
will normally complete a major in Latin. A major in Classical Civilization
with strong emphasis
on reading
Latin
may also be possible. Please consult
with our subject matter advisor, Prof. Ray Starr,
about how you
will plan to address
all areas of required knowledge. In
conjunction with these discussions, please fill
out the Teaching Program
Plan
form and have it approved.
Required
courses:
Courses
to complete a major in Latin, or a major in Classical Civilization
including at least
three 300-level
courses
in Latin.
Strongly
recommended: At least three semesters of Greek (and/or with additional
study as
required)
Recommended:
Courses in classical myths, art, and history, especially: Classical
Civilization 104,
Art History
100 or 242 or 243, History
231 (and, if time permits, History 230).
Also,
for Greek drama: Classical civilization
210/310 is recommended.
Recommended:
Education 308, World Languages Methodology.
Additional
study:
For
the required areas of subject matter knowledge listed that are not
covered
by your required
or other courses,
additional study will be needed.
This study provides a wonderful opportunity
for valuable, stimulating learning.
Please discuss your plan of study
with our Latin
and Classical
Humanities subject matter
advisor, Ray Starr, with your major
advisor, and with Ken Hawes.
Scholarships
available: The Classical Association of New England offers
teaching certification
scholarships. Please
see www.caneweb.org
