Roman Comedy, a project of VRoma

GROUP MEMBERS: Sue Bonvallet, Judith de Luce, Steve Nimis

AIMS:

1) to design supplementary teaching materials to support the study of Roman comedy
2) to design and pilot the use of these materials and the MOO interface in a collaboration between an undergraduate college Latin course and a high school Latin course
3) to promote interest in the Latin language and Roman culture and civilization
4) to help students use the internet effectively for research and learning

OUTCOME GOALS FOR THE PROJECT:

1) production of web site containing a Latin text of Plautus's Aulularia with hyperlinks to various types of cultural materials, visual images, literary commentary and an audiorecording of the Latin
2) implementation of an effective collaboration between Miami University and Wellington School students using such methods as interactive sessions on the MOO, a MOO building project, a joint class on the MOO with a guest lecturer, etc.

LEARNING GOALS FOR STUDENTS:
Students will be able to

• read and translate the Aulularia from Latin to English
• recite in meter a selection from the Aulularia
• identify and analyze the conventions of Plautine comedy in the Aulularia
• compare and contrast comic performance in three different cultural contexts
• analyze the origins of Roman comedy and its subsequent influences
• use VRoma resources both individually and collaboratively to fulfill the learning goals of the course
• contribute to the database of resources available in VRoma

TEACHING/ASSESSMENT PLAN:

In the Spring of 1998, Judith de Luce and Steve Nimis will offer an undergraduate course in Roman Comedy; Sue Bonvallet will collaborate with them during the period while her Latin 5 students study the Aulularia (January and February). Both courses will make extensive use of VRoma materials, including the web and the MOO.

Assessment Methods:

• detailed records of the structure and methods used in the collaboration, with reflections on their effectiveness
• comparison of the teachers' responses to the various methods and activities of the courses
• student assignments keyed to the above learning goals
• evaluation of effectiveness of student projects
• student surveys
• evaluation of VRoma resources produced by students

Assessment
VRoma Home Page
McManus Home Page
Barbara F. McManus, Director of Assessment