Latin Students Use 21st Century Computer Technology, Connecting to Like-Minded Students Across the Country
December 8, 2010
University of Southern Maine Latin students now have access to resources available to classics programs throughout the country thanks to the online consortium named after an alliance of Greek cities that revolted against the Athenian empire in 428 B.C.: Sunoikisis.
This fall, the USM Classics Program, led by professors Jeannine Diddle Uzzi and Peter Aicher, participated for the first time in the collaborative, online language courses administered by Harvard University’s Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington D.C. Advanced Latin students are in a blended format course combining classroom sessions with online instruction delivered through the Harvard Center. At the first online session in September, USM students interacted with students and faculty from Colorado College, Agnes Scott College (Ga.), Washington and Lee University (Va.) and other schools across the country.
By participating in this online consortium, small classics programs throughout the country can interact with 8-10 faculty members and an additional 25-35 students per semester, making the experience richer for all. The culmination of the course was a lecture given by Richard Tarrant, Pope Professor of Language and Literature at Harvard University, on the tragedy “Thyestes,” written by the Stoic philosopher, Seneca.
Other 21st century innovations employed by this small program are the USM Classics Facebook page and Uzzi’s tweets, which can be followed at “jdiddleuzzi.” USM media studies major Brandon Baines, who is studying the Roman World for a minor, created a YouTube video about the program that can be viewed at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBTGqSnWjLY&feature=share. Baines of Scarborough is also a competitive yoyo champion.
Using 21st century technology enriches the teaching and learning experiences of classics disciplines that many believe are relevant today because classical studies develops students’ critical thinking, reading and writing skills. Classics degrees prepare students for careers in k-12 education and academia, while the study of Latin is important for students who plan careers in the sciences.
