Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Latin is the Bomb

I wanted to interrupt my regularly scheduled nonsense for a serious moment.

DEFEAT THE CONSPIRACY!

They, who shall remain unmentioned, don't want IWU students to know that Latin is being offered this Fall! Knowing that the best way to defeat the forces of evil is a good knowledge of Latin, they have clouded the minds of students into thinking IWU doesn't even offer Latin.

This is an actual conversation:

"Dr. Schenck, it's really sad that IWU doesn't offer Latin," said the summer student.

"But it does; I'm actually teaching it this Fall," said Ken Schenck.

"Is there even anyone here who could teach Latin?"

"Dude, didn't you hear me? I'm teaching Latin," shouted Schenck.

"Too bad. Because Latin is, like, the bomb," said the student, walking away.

Well actually, only the first two sentences really happened, but it sounds more interesting if there's a conspiracy.

There are only two and a potential third student signed up for Latin! Surely this is my failure to advertise the class. The class will happen regardless.

Spread the word! It is not too late to switch your schedule to Latin! Then you'll be able to understand what they're saying with all those spells in Harry Potter (and of course read what Augustine really said in his Confessions).

We now resume our regularly non-scheduled blogging.

9 comments:

theajthomas said...

Speaking of Latin and Augistine - Have you read the new translation of Confessions by Gary Wills? If so what did you think?

Ken Schenck said...

I haven't. Is it good, do you think? Most patristic translations are so old they're horrible.

stephendcady said...

It is too bad every class that I would ever like to take is at the same time. I guess it is nice that I have mornings and T/Th free.

Kevin Beck said...

Maybe you could publish a book (on LuLu?). A take off on NT Wright's book. You could entitle it, "What ST. Augustine Really Said."

theajthomas said...

I haven't actually read it. I had thought about it before but most translations eren't much clearer than the latin. I have read a couple of other books by Wills though and I expect it would be good. He's a pretty good author.

Scott D. Hendricks said...

Good post. Yeah, we should've been advertising sooner. Maybe you could try posters around campus on Sept. 1, the Friday that most students are officially allowed to start moving in. Some are already on campus unofficially.

Posters, I say, posters!

Or, you know, you can advertise on Facebook for $5 a day! That's the way to go . . . Facebook posters!

Ken Schenck said...

The Harry Potter books are really J. K. Rowling's way of doing therapy from sixth form Latin. She's getting back at her teachers: "arresto momentum" ...

Scott D. Hendricks said...

Latin was one of my best memories from high school next to caroling with the vocal ensemble.

Latin truly is the bomb, it can change your life . . . turn you into an analytical word nerd, an etymological gumshoe. Yessir, it really makes people think you are smart. Which will keep your humility on its toes.

Anonymous said...

Latin????? You're teaching Shakira and Ricky Martin? Go bust a move prof. Schenck, and shake what your mama gave ya.