This course is an introduction to the Latin language, history, and culture of ancient Rome. Language structures are learned by the reading method. The first semester focuses heavily on vocabulary building and will include an introduction to the grammar from each chapter. The second semester includes both grammar and continued vocabulary building. Basic grammatical features include the morphology of nouns, active verbs in the present, future, imperfect, and perfect tenses; adjectives, pronouns, dependent clauses, and participles. Emphasis is on basic vocabulary, translation, and comprehension as a preparation for the ultimate goal of reading classical Latin literature.