The University at Buffalo, SUNY (UB) Department of Classics will host a three-day spoken Latin workshop for Latin instructors and others interested in conversational Latin on the UB north campus from June 27-29, 2012.
The Conventiculum Buffaloniense offers an integrated, immersive experience in which participants practice speaking on a set of topics, then apply these skills through creative and engaging activities. Topics are chosen for their suitability for beginning Latin speakers and utility in teaching settings. A closing session will provide the opportunity for group discussion of active Latin pedagogy. The
workshop welcomes anyone with the equivalent of two years or more of college Latin. Participants need not have any previous experience speaking Latin, though the workshop is also suitable for those with some speaking experience who want to improve their skills.
This year, Conventiculum Buffaloniense offers Animalia Antiqua: a glimpse into how Latin speakers regarded our fellow sentients in the past and how active Latin speakers might consider them today.
The workshop moderators are:
- Neil Coffee, Chair and Associate Professor of Classics at UB
- Scott Ettinger, Riverdale Country School in the Bronx, NY, winner of the 2003 APA Award for Excellence in the Pre-collegiate Teaching
- Catherine Nicastro, Williamsville South High School, Williamsville, NY
Dr. Coffee, Mr. Ettinger, and Miss Nicastro have several years of experience speaking Latin and leading spoken Latin groups. Their combined experiences include previous Conventiculum Buffaloniense workshops, Reginald Foster’s Summer Latin In Rome, the Kentucky Conversational Latin Seminars of Terence Tunberg, and SALVI’s Rusticatio Virginiana. All of the moderators are working with active Latin exercises in their classrooms.
After a reception Wednesday evening, sessions will take place through the day on Thursday and Friday. There will be a participation fee of $95 to defray the cost of meals and materials (continental breakfast and lunch will be provided both days). Weather permitting, an optional excursion to the Buffalo Zoo will take place on Saturday morning at a modest additional cost. The fee will be reduced for student participants and subventions are available for instructors whose institutions do not provide funding. Arrangements will be made for teachers to receive professional development credit.
For further information, please visit http://classics.buffalo.edu/events/buffaloniense/.
Questions should be directed to Neil Coffee at ncoffee@buffalo.edu.
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