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NEWS

West Virginia University at Parkersburg 300 Campus Drive Parkersburg WV 26104 Phone:  304-424-8203 | Fax:  304-424-8315

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CONTACT:  R.A. Oldaker, coordinator of the Department of Foreign Languages, (304) 424-8246.

On the schedule are courses in Beginning Ancient Greek I and Beginning Latin I, as well as a Spanish Theater Seminar.

Latin I, which includes the study of both classical and ecclesiastical pronunciations, and Greek I, which includes vocabulary, grammar, and readings from classical, Septuagint, koiné, and Byzantine sources, offer area residents an opportunity to develop an appreciation for the languages and more. 

"The students of both courses will learn not only the language, but also something of the culture of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds: songs, history, daily life, religion, education, and food," noted R.A. Oldaker, coordinator of the Foreign Language Department.  "Since both are beginners' courses, no previous knowledge of the languages are necessary," he added.

The Latin I class (FLAN 297) will be offered during the eight-week summer session (June and July), two nights per week (Monday and Wednesday, 6:00-8:45 p.m.). In the Latin I class, students will learn how to read simple Classical and Biblical texts, how to pronounce Latin correctly in both Classical and Ecclesiastical styles, and will learn the most common Latin phrases that are still used today.

The Greek I class (FLAN 297) will be offered also during the eight-week summer session, two nights per week (Tuesday and Thursday, 6:00-8:45 p.m.).  Students will learn how to read the Greek alphabet, will master a working vocabulary, learn how to make sentences, and will do actual readings in Greek from Classical, Old Testament, and New Testament sources as well as selections from the Byzantine Era.

The Seminar in Spanish (SPAN 295) will be offered during the first four-week summer session Monday through Thursday from 6:00-8:45 p.m.  The course is open to anyone who has had at least two semesters of Spanish or who speaks it as a native language, Oldaker noted.  The course will be taught in Spanish as a kind of immersion experience. Students will study drama and produce a play for the stage. They will learn stage directions in Spanish as well.

Summer classes begin June 6 for the first four-week term and eight-week semester.  A second four-week term gets under way July 5.

Registration is currently open for the summer terms. Additional information about the foreign language courses is available by contacting Oldaker, 424-8246, or the Humanities Division, 424-8301.