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Academics

Language Department

Language Course Descriptions

Nova Fundamentalis Latina/NFL (411)

Prerequisite: None

The NFL course focuses on the connection between Latin and English. The students focus on learning how to form nouns in all of the declensions and verbs in all of the conjugations. Direct connections to the English language are highlighted in order to assist in the student’s understanding of the language. Information on Roman culture and daily life is also presented.

Latin I (415)

Prerequisite: None

Latin I is the first course of a three-year requirement in foreign language. The first-year course includes cultural material about Roman life, government, education, literature, and art – all of which influenced later civilizations. The principal emphasis is on the Latin language itself and its influence on the English language as well as on the Romance languages.

Honors Latin I (419)

Prerequisite: Previous Experience Required

Honors Latin I is the first course of a three-year requirement in foreign language. The first-year course includes cultural material about Roman life, government, education, literature, and art – all of which influenced later civilizations. The principal emphasis is on the Latin language itself and its influence on the English language as well as on the Romance languages. Honors Latin I assumes the mastery of the 1st and 2nd Declension nouns and adjectives (including ER adjectives) and the formation/translation of the present, imperfect, and future tenses of 1st conjugation verbs. For those interested in testing into Honors Latin I, a list of vocabulary, grammar and skills is available on the Languages website.

Altera Fundamentalis Latina/AFL (421)

Prerequisite: NFL (411)

The AFL course follows the NFL course. Students move into some of the more specific points of grammar and begin to move toward structured translations. All of the basics of the language itself are reviewed. By the end of the AFL course, students have completed work equal to that of the students who were enrolled in Latin I.

Latin II (425)

Prerequisite: Latin I (415)

Latin II includes a review of material learned in Latin I along with an inclusion of more grammar and syntax. The course is divided into three parts. The first reviews grammar and syntax learned in Latin I; the second part covers further grammar and vocabulary; the third, and most integral part of the course, promotes the translation of Latin to English with special emphasis on Latin constructions, using Jason and the Argonauts and Caesar’s Commentaries on the Gallic Wars.

Honors Latin II (429)

Prerequisite: Latin I (415)

Qualifications: Grade of B+ or better for the entire academic year in Latin I (415), excellent homework record, and teacher recommendation.

A student who has a B average may request to be placed into Honors Latin II. That request may be granted if the Latin I teacher, in consultation with the department Chair, feels that the student will be able to handle the pace of the course. This course consists of a thorough review of grammar along with the introduction of the subjunctive mood and all of its clauses. Students will then move into translation with a heavy emphasis on grammar and syntax. Students will read the Hercules stories, Jason and the Argonauts, and Caesar’s Commentaries on the Gallic Wars, Books 1 and 7. Individualized projects will incorporate other aspects of Roman culture into the course.

Latin III (435)

Prerequisite: Latin I (415) and Latin II (425 or 429)

Latin III features the following: CATILINE (one of the most intriguing coup d’ etats of all times), FABULAE ROMANAE (a series of stories that outline the history of Rome), FABULAE GRACECAE (myths of the early Greeks), CICERO (the greatest of all Roman orators), and OVID (a collection of mythology stories written in poetic form).

Honors Latin III (439)

Prerequisite: Latin I (415) and Latin II (425 or 429)

Qualifications: Grade of B+ or better for the entire academic year in Latin I (415) and Latin II (425 or 429), excellent homework record, and teacher recommendation.

Students are eligible for participation in this sequence if they have a average of “B” or better in both Latin I and Latin II. This course offers the student the challenge of learning with other top students in his field and provides him with the opportunity to improve his English language skills, especially grammar and vocabulary. The course covers material in an extensive and in-depth-manner. Authors to be studied include Cicero, Sallust, Pliny, and Ovid. In addition, students investigate various aspects of Roman life and society, including Roman sports, mythology, law, history, military tactics, etc.

AP Latin: Vergil (440)

Prerequisite: Latin I (415), Latin II (425 or 429), and Honors Latin III (439)

Qualifications: Grade of B+ or better in Honors Latin III, excellent homework record for three previous years and teacher recommendation.

This course is designed to cover material in an extensive and in-depth manner. At the same time, the course prepares the student for possible college credit via the national Advanced Placement Latin Exam. Epic Poetry tells a story. The Aeneid by Vergil is an epic poem describing the wanderings of Aeneas after the destruction of Troy, from which, according to tradition, he had come with a small band of followers and laid the foundations of the power which later became Rome. The advanced placement exam is required.

Latin IV (445)

Prerequisite: Latin I (415), Latin II (425 or 429), and Latin III (435 or 439) OR NFL (411), AFL (421), and Latin II (425)

Qualifications: Teacher recommendation

Livy is the only Latin author to tell the traditional stories about the founding and beginnings of Rome and Roman culture. He explores the legends of Romulus and Remus, the Cruel Tarquin the Proud, and the Heroism of Britain. Such heroes as Tullus Hostilius, Cincinnatus, Aeneas, and others are discussed. This course is designed as a finish to the study of Latin literature.

Honors Latin IV (449)

Prerequisite: Latin I (415), Latin II (425 or 429), and Latin III (435 or 439)

Qualifications: Grade of B or better in Honors Latin III (439) or grade of A- or better in Latin III (435) and teacher recommendation.

This course is designed to cover material in an extensive and in-depth manner. At the same time, the course prepares the student for possible college credit via the National Advanced Placement Latin Exam (optional). Lyric Poetry comes in a wide variety of styles and deals with many different topics. However, lyric poets, such as Catullus and Horace, discuss their feelings, loves, hates, and personal philosophies. The Latin lyric poets – Catullus and Horace – were the ancient song writers of their times – the reason that even today the words of songs are called “lyric.” This course allows the students to read selections from different Roman poets, such as Catullus and Horace. This course is open to all senior Latin students.

Honors Greek I (459)

Prerequisite: None

Qualification: Permission of the course instructor.

This course provides an introduction to the Greek language of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey through learning the Greek alphabet, basic grammar, and important vocabulary. In the second half of the course, students read passages from Homer’s Odyssey, one of the greatest adventure stories in Western literature. Students also investigate, on the basis of personal interest, various aspects of Greek life and culture.

Honors Greek II (469)

Prerequisite: Honors Greek I (459)

Qualification: Permission of the course instructor.

This course is a continuation of Greek I, in which further selections from Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad are read in the original Greek. Further investigation into various aspects of Greek society and its influence on the modern world is conducted, including such topics as Greek athletics, mythology, philosophy, law enforcement, history, etc.

Honors Greek III (479)

Prerequisite: Honors Greek I (459) and Honors Greek II (469)

Qualification: Permission of the course instructor.

Greek III deals with the transition from the Greek of Homer to that of Plato, Aesop, Herodotus and the New Testament. Cultural and historical investigations of Greek life are an integral part of this course, including, for example, the battle of Thermopylae, the Persian invasions, philosophy in Athens, the trial of Socrates, the wisdom of the fables of Aesop, and other topics as well.

Etymology (446)

Prerequisite: None

Qualification: None

The etymology course deals with the study of word origins. The student examines how words are made from Latin and Greek. The objective of this course is to improve the student’s working English vocabulary (this course is an excellent preparation for standardized tests like the SAT). The course will also cover terminology used in the legal and medical fields. (Junior/Senior Elective)

Classical Mythology (447)

Prerequisite: None

Qualification: None

This course examines stories and myths from ancient Greece and Rome based on classical texts. The Greek myths will be drawn from Homer (Iliad/Odyssey), Hesiod (Theogony), and the tragedians (Euripides, Sophocles, Aeschylus). Vergil’s Aeneid and Ovid’s Metamorphoses will provide the basis for the Roman myths. Other Greek and Roman authors will be referenced throughout the course. (Junior/Senior Elective)

French I (755)

Prerequisite: None

The student is introduced to Francophone cultures and will learn to perform basic linguistic functions in all four modes: speaking, listening, reading and writing but with an emphasis on speaking and listening. Some of the functions include greeting, thanking and taking leave of someone; making introductions, invitations, complaints, excuses and predictions; asking for, giving and restating information; agreeing, disagreeing, negotiating and insisting; expressing opinions, need, emotions, and intentions; ordering food and beverages, asking for prices, time and permission; describing daily routines, physical and character traits and family members; identifying nationalities and professions; and purchasing items.

Honors French I (759)

Prerequisite: Previous Experience Required

French II (765)

Prerequisite: French I (755)

Honors French II (769)

Prerequisite: French I (755)

The student will learn to perform intermediate linguistic functions in all four modes: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Some of the functions include writing invitations, postcards and letters, giving information, opinions, orders and directions, describing character, physical traits, past events, daily routines, talents and abilities, and intentions, making suggestions and predictions, comparing, reporting, hypothesizing and sequencing events. In addition to the regular French II curriculum, honors students will read, discuss and write about additional varied passages, select extra projects of interest, give oral exposés and in general treat topics in greater depth.

French III (775)

Prerequisite: French I (755) and French II (765)

Emphasis is continued on speaking French with a greater focus on reading and writing skills. Advanced grammar and the practice of these skills are organized around ten cultural themes: school and pastimes, relationships, the arts, careers and work, travel, technology and the environment, French culture, French history, French-speaking Africa, and health.

Honors French III (779)

Prerequisite: French I (755) and French II (765)

Emphasis is continued on speaking French with a greater focus on reading and writing skills. Advanced grammar and the practice of these skills are organized around ten cultural themes: school, work, storytelling and legends, friendship, nature, the press, the environment, government, the arts, and travel. The students will also be introduced to the basic concepts and terminology of textual analysis to develop the ability to read and analyze critically and to discuss perceptively representative works of Francophone literature.

French IV (785)

Prerequisite: French I (755), French II (765), and French III (775)

A set of four one-quarter courses:

Conversation and composition: a review of grammar and major cultural themes with guided practice in techniques for writing and speaking with a special focus on descriptions and circumlocution.
History of France: Prehistoric times, Antiquity, the Middle Ages, the Ancient Regime, and the 19th and 20th centuries.
Literature: a collection of representative short stories, plays, and poems from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Culture: an examination of how many French institutions (the State, school system, economy, art, language) have served to unify many diverse peoples and create a French identity. Writing and speaking with a review of grammar, and fluent conversational ability. Work is done on phonetics. Permission of instructor is required.

AP French Literature (790) (2008-2009 School Year)

Prerequisite: French I (755), French II (765), and French III (775)

The French Literature course is designed to introduce students who have advanced language skills to the formal study of a representative body of literary texts in French. This course is the equivalent of a third-year college level course (conversation and Composition or Introduction to Literature).
Classes will include close reading and extensive discussion of texts with particular attention to character and theme, structure and style, and to how these elements are related to overall interpretation. To reach these goals, students will learn the techniques of literary analysis as well as a basic vocabulary of critical terms, both of which they need to use appropriately when studying French literary texts. Class discussion and essay writing in French are important components of this course.
The French Literature course has the following objectives:

Proficiency in the fundamental language skills that enable the student to read and understand prose and verse of moderate difficulty and mature content, as well as to formulate and express critical opinions and judgments in correct oral and written French.
The ability to read and analyze critically and to discuss perceptively representative works of French literature.

The program is not to be construed as a formal survey of literary history, but rather as an introduction to representative works of prose, poetry, and drama from different periods. Students should, however, be aware of the cultural context of the works read. They will also acquire the basic concepts and terminology of textual analysis. By learning to identify and interpret the various elements that enter into the composition of a literary text and to perceive their relationships, students acquire a fuller understanding and appreciation of the art and significance of literature.

Honors French IV (791) (2009-2010 School Year)

Prerequisite: French I (755), French II (765), and French III (775)

Honors French IV is designed to introduce students who have advanced language skills to the formal study of a representative body of literary texts in French. Classes will include close reading and extensive discussion of texts with particular attention to character and theme, structure and style, and to how these elements are related to overall interpretation. To reach these goals, students will learn the techniques of literary analysis as well as a basic vocabulary of critical terms, both of which they need to use appropriately when studying French literary texts. By learning to identify and interpret the various elements that enter into the composition of a literary text and to perceive their relationships, students acquire a fuller understanding and appreciation of the art and significance of literature. Class discussion and essay writing in French are important components of this course.

AP French Language (789)

Prerequisite: French I (755), French II (765), and French III (775)

Students that enroll in AP French IV Language should already have a good command of French grammar and vocabulary and have competence in listening, reading, speaking and writing.
The course emphasizes the use of language for active communication and helps students develop the ability to understand spoken French in various contexts; a French vocabulary sufficiently ample for reading newspaper and magazine articles, literary texts, and other non-technical writings without dependence on a dictionary; and the ability to express themselves coherently, resourcefully, and with reasonable fluency and accuracy in both written and spoken French.
Course content reflects intellectual interests shared by the students and teacher (the arts, current events, literature, sports, etc.) Extensive training in the organization and writing of compositions is emphasized.

The advanced placement exam is required.

Spanish I (715)

Prerequisite: None

Spanish I is the first course of a three-year requirement in foreign language. Spanish I is proficiency-oriented. It is based on an integrative approach of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing within a cultural context allowing maximum interaction among students, and between students and teacher. The students have many opportunities to participate Spanish in simulated real life situations. Several methods are used: drills, cooperative learning activities, writing, listening and speaking and computer designed practice.

The student will be able to:

Listen and comprehend simple questions, commands and specialized vocabulary.
Read and speak with acceptable intonation and pronunciation.
Simulate real life situations using appropriate idioms, grammar and vocabulary.
Create sentences and write paragraphs using appropriate vocabulary and grammar/syntax.
Recognize and compare basic cultural differences between Hispanic culture and that of the United States.

Honors Spanish I (719)

Prerequisite: Previous Experience Required

Honors Spanish I is the first course of a three-year requirement in foreign language. Honors Spanish I is proficiency-oriented. It is based on an integrative approach of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing within a cultural context allowing maximum interaction among students, and between students and teacher. The students have many opportunities to participate Spanish in simulated real life situations. Several methods are used: drills, cooperative learning activities, writing, listening and speaking and computer designed practice. For those interested in testing into Honors Spanish I, a list of vocabulary, grammar and skills is available on the Languages website.

Spanish II (725)

Prerequisite: Spanish I (715)

Spanish II builds on the previously learned material by recombing vocabulary, grammar and syntax into new and creative mode of expression. The students learn to function as accurately as possible in situations they are most likely to encounter with Spanish speakers. In proficiency-oriented, integrative approach, the four skills and culture reinforce one another in an ever-widening spiral.
The student will be able to:

Understand spoken Spanish in sentence-length utterances consisting of recombined learned material.
Understand instructions and directions on familiar topics.
Participate in simple conversational situations.
Read and comprehend structured non-complex authentic text dealing with familiar topics.
Write simple messages and create simple dialogues or paragraphs.
Develop tolerance and appreciation for linguistic and cultural differences.
Be aware of the most important geographical and historical features of Latin America–and Spain.

Honors Spanish II (729)

Prerequisite: Spanish I (715)

Qualification: Students will have achieved a grade of at least an A- in Spanish I, demonstrate above average oral and written language skills, and receive the recommendation of their Spanish I teachers.
This course provides the opportunity for students who are highly proficient in Spanish I skills to be grouped homogeneously. Recommendation of the Spanish I teacher is required. The course work is similar to Spanish II, but more time is utilized in conversation and student interaction. Hispanic culture and influences will be emphasized through projects and essays. A more in-depth approach of content and culture will be taken in regard to the performance objectives of Spanish II, as developed by the Modern Languages Department of Saint Ignatius High School.

Spanish III (735)

Prerequisite: Spanish I (715) and Spanish II (725 or 729)

This course will review and present new grammar elements in a contextual inter-related setting. This course will continue to use the communicative interactive approach. Receptive skills received additional emphasis and culture becomes the centerpiece of instruction.
The student will be able to:

Understand, speak, and write Spanish in sentence-length utterances consisting of learned material.
Participate in complex conversations that have more than one idea or concept.
Understand and relate instructions, directions, and commands on familiar subjects.
Read and comprehend authentic and historical features of Spain, Mexico, and Latin America.
Read and comprehend authentic text.
Be exposed to and develop an appreciation of the Hispanic world.

Honors Spanish III (739)

Prerequisite: Spanish I (715) and Spanish II (725 or 729)

Qualification: Students must have achieved grades of A- or better in their previous Spanish classes, demonstrate an excellent ability in the language, and receive the recommendations of their previous Spanish teachers.

This course is designed to help students achieve the intermediate level of proficiency in the four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking within a cultural context. Selection of the students for this course is based on a strong recommendation by their Spanish teachers. The course goes beyond the performance objectives outlined in the Rubrics of Spanish III in terms of the depth and the extent of the content. For example, the students must complete summer reading assignments; give an extensive report on Hispanic culture, and meet the performance objectives based on the functions listed in the textbook Somos Asi, Ya! (chapters 1 through 10).

Spanish IV (745)

Prerequisite: Spanish I (715), Spanish II (725 or 729), and Spanish III (735 or 739)

This course is to help students to develop practical communicative skills in Spanish and familiarize them with Hispanic culture through authentic literary reading and relevant contemporary sociocultural information. Grammar will be fully integrated within a cultural context and presented both as a review and as an introduction to the more advanced structures of the language.
The student will be able to:

Reinforce and further his knowledge of other disciplines through the study of Spanish.
Demonstrate understanding of his own culture through comparisons of cultures and their own.
Understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
Present information, concepts, and ideas in written and spoken form.

AP Spanish Language (750)

Prerequisite: Spanish I (715), Spanish II (725 or 729), and Honors Spanish III (739)

AP Spanish provides students with the opportunity to pursue college-level work and receive college credit. Students will be exposed to a large variety of materials and genres that will help them expand their knowledge of formal and informal Spanish, both in oral and written form. The course will include a structured review of grammar with emphasis on finer points of distinction; creative listening, speaking and writing practice, and a variety of readings of literary and cultural significance. Permission of the instructor and department chairperson is required.
The student will be able to:

Understand spoken Spanish in a variety of informal and formal contexts.
Understand both direct and inferred meaning form a variety of media: newspaper and magazine articles, letters, instructions, short stories, poetry, and short plays.

Perform both in speaking and in writing, formal and informal functions, such as give instructions, request information, narrate, argue, convince, apologize and describe.

The advanced placement exam is required.

Spanish IV (745)

Prerequisite: Spanish I (715), Spanish II (725 or 729), and Spanish III (735 or 739)

This course is to help students who have advanced language skills to develop practical communicative skills in Spanish and familiarize them with Hispanic culture through authentic literary reading and relevant contemporary sociocultural information. Grammar will be fully integrated within a cultural context and presented both as a review and as an introduction to the more advanced structures of the language. There will be a more extensive literary component to this course, which will incorporate knowledge of vocabulary, advanced grammar and writing skills, and discussion as well as literary analysis in the target language.
The student will be able to:

Reinforce and further his knowledge of other disciplines through the study of Spanish.
Demonstrate understanding of his own culture through comparisons of cultures and their own.
Understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
Present information, concepts, and ideas in advanced written and spoken form.

Jesuit Virtual Learning Academy (JVLA)

The JVLA is a "virtual school" located in Omaha, Nebraska. The JVLA serves only students registered in Jesuit high schools. It offers AP and other courses which most Jesuit high schools are unlikely to offer as part of their regular curricula. Students may elect to take these courses for personal enrichment or to prepare themselves to seek college credit through the AP testing system. As you can see from the Course Catalog (which can be found on the JVLA's homepage), the courses are taught by well-qualified faculty members of Jesuit high schools all around the country.

None of the JVLA courses may be taken to replace a regular Saint Ignatius High School course. The course will not count toward the total number of required courses for any given academic year. The same policies regarding course add/drop/withdrawal will be applicable. However, for students who wish to expand their academic horizons or build stronger academic resumes to increase their chances of success in the quest for university admissions and financial aid, these courses may prove a perfect match. All courses taken will appear as part of students' Saint Ignatius High School transcripts and the grade for the course will be calculated into the GPA.

Whenever possible, we will make school computer resources available to students taking JVLA courses during the school day, as well as before and after regular classes.

Families will be asked to pay Saint Ignatius High School the tuition that JVLA charges for their courses as listed. This is in no way a money-making venture. Students will register for the course(s) they desire through their counselor (not directly through the JVLA). The JVLA will bill Saint Ignatius High School for all of our students who are registered with them and Saint Ignatius High School will simply transfer to the JVLA the funds paid to us by families. Tuition fees will need to be paid in full before Saint Ignatius High School directs JVLA to register a student in a course. Please understand that textbook costs are separate from tuition for these courses. If you have any questions, please contact your student's counselor.

700JVLA-1 Chinese IA: Beginning Mandarin 101

Instructor: Ching-ling Tai– Ph.D., Chinese. Department of Foreign Language, Saint Louis University High School; St. Louis, MO

Available to: Juniors and Seniors

Course Listing: Languages Department

This course combines the study of the Chinese language with an introduction to Chinese culture. Students will gain practical experience in speaking Mandarin with proper pronunciation using the pinyin system to acquire basic conversational skills. Students will learn basic vocabulary and sentence patterns used in daily life and social interaction. Culture notes will be given along with speaking practice necessary for interpersonal communication. In addition, a certain amount of Chinese written characters are studied with a fun approach. Teacher and students will communicate using Gong, a podcasting software.

700JVLA-2 Beginning Arabic 105

Instructor: Basel Pio -B.A. in Mathematics; native Arabic speaker. Department of Mathematics, University of Detroit High School Detroit, MI

Available to: Juniors and Seniors

Course Listing: Languages Department

This yearlong course (for students with little or no prior knowledge of Arabic) combines the study of the Arab language with an introduction to Arab-speaking cultures. Students will gain practical experience in speaking Arabic with proper pronunciation to acquire basic conversational skills on topics, such as, greetings, shopping, and travel. Moving from an English language-centered to an Arabic-centered class, students will learn basic vocabulary and sentence patterns used in daily life and social interaction. Cultural notes will be given along with speaking practice necessary for interpersonal communication.