Lucretius, Latin 308
Policy concerning the use and misuse of translations


You will be asked to read all of De Rerum Natura in English. There are, however, many good reasons for you not to consult translations to prepare your assignments in Latin in this course. They include the following:

  1. Presumably you are trying to learn Latin (and to learn to use the tools for learning it); you are not just trying to provide translations of De Rerum Natura.

  2. Producing translations in class or on exams that you have generated by consulting published translations is, in effect, presenting someone else's work as your own—in other words, a violation of MHC's principles of academic responsibility.

  3. Writing out your own translations and studying them to prepare for an exam or quiz or recitation in class is not likely to promote the growth of your skills in Latin. It is also the waste of precious time that you could use to reread a passage.

So, unless otherwise instructed, do not consult any translation of the passages you are to translate for class. If you have difficulties, turn to the many tools at your disposal, and ask questions in class or consult me outside of class.