Bonnie A. Catto
Address:Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures
Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609
Tel. 508-767-7591, E-mail: .
Dept. office 508-767-7260. Home: 413-533-7945,
10 Silverwood Terrace, South Hadley, MA 01075
EducationPh.D. in Classics, University of Pennsylvania, May 1981
Graduate:Dissertation: The Concept of Naturain the De Rerum Natura of Lucretius and the Georgics of Vergil: Its Characteristics, Actions, and Effects upon the Earth, Man, and Man’s Labor. (Diss. Abs. March 1982, Vol. 42, No. 9A). Director: Dr. Phillip H. DeLacy
Doctoral Examinations: Greek Literature, Latin Literature, Greek History, Roman History, Special Author: Lucretius.
Language Examinations: French, German.
M.A. in Classics, University of Pennsylvania, December 1976
Undergraduate:A.B. magna cum laude, Mount Holyoke College, May 1973
Majors: Greek and Latin. Thesis: Furtivi Amores: Some Themes in Latin Love Elegy.
Amherst College, Exchange Student, 1970-71
Wayland High School, Wayland MA., graduated May 1969
Other Studies:Faculty Seminar on Homer's Iliad and the liberal arts with Professor Bainard Cowan, Assumption College, Spring 2008
Workshop on Webpage Authoring, Assumption College, July 16-18, 2000. Workshop on Web-browsing, Assumption College, August 16, 2001.
Workshop on Macs and the Internet, Assumption College, April 16, 1996
Technology of Teaching Workshop, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, October 19, 1995
Foreign Language Technology Workshop, Assumption College, December 18, 1995
National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar on The Question of Tradition, Assumption College, July 1991
Language Acquisition Workshop with Dr. George Aubin, Assumption College, May 1990
Computer Assisted Language Learning Workshop with Dr. David Wyatt, Mount Holyoke College, February 1984
Introduction to Computers Faculty Development Course, Mount Holyoke College, May-June 1983
Teaching:Assumption College: Professor, Fall 1997- present; Associate Professor, Fall 1989 - Spring 1997. Tenured, Spring 1992. Sabbaticals, 1995-96, 2002-03, 2009-10.
Courses:Greek 101 & 102, Greek 201: Plato’s Apology, Greek 202: Tragedy; Greek 310 Homer; Plato; Greek Tragedy: Greek Comedy. Greek 390: The Bible; Homer’s Iliad; Homer's Odyssey; Lucian; Greek Lyric Poetry; Eschatology, Ancient Prophecy, The Afterlife.
Latin 101 & 102, Latin 201 & 202: Intermediate Prose and Poetry, Latin 310: Advanced Readings: Cicero; Epic; Private Lives; The Late Republic (twice with different readings); The Early Empire; Golden Age Poetry; Augustan Poetry; The Silver Age; Ovid; Plautus; Lucretius; Epistles; Roman Comedy; Historians; Letters; Roman Philosophy; Lyric Poetry; The Comic Touch, Metamorphosis. The Golden Age, The Silver Age. Independent Study in St. Augustine.
In translation: Honors 300: Honors Seminar, Fall 2008: Human Progress or Regress?; LTC 140 (Comparative Literature 140): Beginnings of Western Poetry (Writing Emphasis Course Fall 1990, 1992, Spring 1991; Honors Fall 1999, Fall 2000; Fall 2012- with co-listing as CLT205: Literary Foundations of the West I; Comp. Lit. 210 Classical Mythology; Comp. Lit. 211: Myth in Epic, Comp. Lit. 212: Myth in Tragedy, Comp. Lit. 213: Greek and Roman Comedy (also taught on exchange at Clark University, Fall 1999).
History 202: Ancient Rome.
Coordinated Latin 104: Roman Philosophy.
Numerous independent studies, particularly in Greek but also in Latin language, including beginning Latin in years when it wasn't offered.
Advisor for students' Honors Projects: 1) the composition of a musical work depicting the Orpheus myth, 2) the use of film as a pedagogical tool in teaching mythology and the classics
Contributions to Classics Program: As Divisional Advisor in Classics I reinstituted Majors in Classics with four separate concentrations (see report on the new program in The New England Classical Newsletter and Journal 20.2, December 1992, 13); revised the Minor in Classics; instituted a tutoring program in Classics; added a new part-time faculty position in Classics; established a regularly rotating sequence of Classics and Comparative Literature courses; coordinated Classics offerings with offerings in related fields. Faculty Advisor to Classics Club 1998-; Advisor to Eta Sigma Phi (National Classics Honor Society) 2002-. Numerous offerings of "Learn Greek in 50 minutes" as a promotion for the Department's offering of Greek 101 (last given March 19, 2012). Organized lecture and dinner discussion: Dr. Edward McCrorie on "A Challenge: Homer" How about translating ALL of the Original?", cosponsored with the Foundations Program, Nov. 5, 2013.
Departmental Service: Member, Departmental Program Assessment Committe 2010-12; Chair, Search Committee for Sabbatical Replacement in Classics, 2009. Chairman, Department of Foreign Languages, Spring 2000-02; Search Committee, Spanish 2004-05; Chair, Search Committees in Italian, 2000-01, 2001-02; Instituted and ran Assumption College High School Foreign Language Day 2001, 2003; Chair, Search Committee for Visiting Assistant Professor of Classics, 2000; Organizing Committee for Foreign Language Day (1993, 1996); Departmental Representative to The Faculty Senate, 1990-91, 1996-97, 1998-99, 2010-12.
College Service: Member of Core Curriculum Revision Committee, Subgroup IIa (2012-); Member of Core Curriculum Revision Committee (2007-09); Member of Foundations Program (2007-); Advisor to project “Cancer in our Society,” Living/Learning Center, 1999-2000; Faculty Development Committee, 1998-99; Search Committee for position in Modern Poetry, English, 1998-99; Curriculum Review Committee, 1997–98; Committee for the Joseph E. Sheerin Merit Award in Classics, 1994–; Sabbatical Review Committee, 1997–98; Dean of Admissions Search Committee, 1997; Planning Committee Programs Task Force, 1994-95; Writing Emphasis Committee, 1990-95, 1996-98; Student Life Policy Committee, 1991-92, 1994-95; Presidential Appointment to Search Committee for Associate Dean of the Faculty/Vice President for Academic Affairs, 1992-93; Presidential Appointment as Chair, Consultation Committee for acceptance of a faculty member into a tenure-track position, 1993; Search Committee for position in Biology, 1992-93, 1990-91; Curriculum Committee, Spring 1992; Evaluation Committee Substitute, Spring 1992; Search Committee for positions in Spanish and French, 1989-90; United Way Representative, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998 - 2001; Freshman Advisor 1990-2010 (except during sabbatical years). Advisor to Classics majors and minors.
Consulting: for Lyceum, Amherst, MA.: presented Adult Education Seminar on Homer’s Iliad, Spring 1988.
Middlebury College: Visiting Associate Professor, 1988-89.
Courses: Advanced: Plato’s Symposium, Lucretius, Ovid. Intermediate: Vergil’s Aeneid 1-6. In translation: Ancient Epic, History of Classical Literature. Winter Term: Euripidean Heroines on Film.
Mount Holyoke College: Associate Professor of Classics, 1987-88; Assistant Professor, 1981-87; Instructor, 1978-81.
Courses: Advanced: Greek Drama (two semester course), Lucretius, Aeneid (two semester course), Senior Seminar. Intermediate: Intermediate Greek Prose (Attic Orators, Lucian, Plato), Catullus and Cicero, The Latin Elegiac Poets, Latin Composition and Sight Translation (two semester course), Aeneid 1-6, Ovid. In translation: Development and teaching of Greek and Roman Drama, Western Literary Contexts: The Classical and Biblical Heritage (interdepartmental), A Classical Garland (lyric, elegy, pastoral, didactic, the novel).
Winter Term: Development and teaching of Workshop in Greek and Latin Meters, Greek Tragedy: Interpretations on Film, Atoms: Ancient to Modern (interdepartmental).
Thesis Supervision: “To See Dark Tartarus Twice: The Catabatic Journeys of Odysseus and Aeneas” (1987), “Women in Hellenistic Sculpture” (Hampshire College, 1982), “The Objects of Their Devotion: Catullus’ Lesbia and Ovid’s Corinna” (1981). Reader for theses on Thucydides, Plautus, Sophocles, Zeus in Mythology, The Origins of Minoan Palatial Architecture.
Independent Study Supervision: Latin Prose Composition; Homer’s Iliad.
Departmental Service: Library Order Representative, Sloan Foundation Computer Grants Representative, Major and Minor Advisor.
Mount Holyoke College Committees: Academic Administrative Board, Council on Student Affairs, Modern Language Advisory Board (planned and oversaw development of new Language Learning Center with computers, interactive video, satellite), Hiring Committee and Outside Review Committee for Physical Education, Orchards Golf Course Executive Board (Secretary, 1987-88), Secretary of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa Prize Committee, Skinner Invitational Alumnae Golf Tournament, Sloan Foundation Computer Grants Committee, Student Evaluation of Faculty Teaching, Style and Revision of Faculty Legislation, Ultrachallenge Organizing Committee, Undergraduate Academic Advisor.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst: Visiting Lecturer, Spring 1978.
Courses: Beginning Latin (two sections), Greek and Latin Elements in English.
University of Pennsylvania: Teaching Fellow, 1975-77.
Courses: Introductory Latin, Intermediate Latin, Latin Literature in Translation.
Research Assistant to:
Dr. Lloyd W. Daly, University of Pennsylvania, 1974-75. Assisted in publication of Iohannes Philoponus, On the Accent of Homonyms. Catalogued University Library photographic collection of Greek manuscripts.
Thomas C. Peebles, M.D., Assistant Chief of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, 1973-74.
Awards:
Dean's Grant for Outcomes Assessment in Foreign Language Placement (Summer, 2006)
Faculty Development Grant from Assumption College for summer work on new textbook, Latina Mythica II. (Summer 2006)
Listed in Who’s Who in America, 2002-; Who’s Who in America’s Teachers 2003-; Who’s Who in American Women, 2003-
Elected to honorary membership Eta Sigma Phi, national Classics honor society, 2002
Elected to Omicron Delta Kappa, leadership honor society, 1999
Awarded competitive, fully-funded sabbatical from Assumption College for 1995-96
Sloan Foundation Computer Grant for introduction of Latin software into the curriculum, Mount Holyoke College, 1986
Fellowship for work on the dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1977-78
Phi Beta Kappa, 1973
Mary Lyon Scholar, 1973; Sarah Williston Scholar, 1971, Mount Holyoke College
Waltham (MA) Musical Club Scholarship, 1969
National Honor Society, 1968
Professional Memberships:
American Classical League, Archaeological Institute of America, American Philological Association, Classical Association of Massachusetts, Classical Association of New England, Pioneer Valley Classical Association, The Vergilian Society.
Professional Service:
Judge for Undergraduate Paper Prize sponsored by Eta Sigma Phi and for Eta Sigma Phi Panel at The Classical Association of the Midwest and South Annual Meetings (2007-14) and the American Philological Association Annual Meetings (2009-12) - Chair 2010-11.
Nominating Committee, The Classical Association of New England, 2009-10.
MTEL (Massachusetts Teachers' Education Licensure) Workshop for Latin and Classical Humanities, review (setting scoring parameters) of Latin MTEL exam, March 24, 2010.
Member, Barlow-Beach Award Committee, The Classical Association of New England, 2001-2003
President, The Classical Association of New England, 1997–98, Past President, 1998-1999, President-Elect, 1996-97.
Chairman, The Edward Phinney Fellowship for the promotion of Greek in the High Schools, administered by CANE, 1998-2000. As CANE President set up the fellowship in negotiations with the donor’s lawyer.
At-Large Member of the Executive Committee, The Classical Association of New England, 1993-96
Editorial Board, The New England Classical Journal, 1993-99, 2002-
Review of papers on Lucretius and Vergil for NECJ, 2003-04
Review of paper on Lucretius for possible publication in Illinois Classical Studies, 1996
Advisor for M.A.T. Student Project on Lucretius, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1995-96
Coordinator, Classics in Crisis Committee, The Classical Association of New England, 1992-93
Steering Committee, The Central Mass. Foreign Language Alliance, 1990-91
Organizing Committee for Smaller Classics Departments, American Philological Association, 1990-91
President, 1987-88, Secretary-Treasurer, 1986-87, The Pioneer Valley Classical Association: organized meetings for area classicists and ran annual Classics Day for 500 area high school students.
Advisory Council, The American Academy in Rome, 1983-88
Managing Committee, The American School of Classical Studies in Athens, 1983-88
Testing for Latin Achievement Test, Educational Testing Service, 3 years
Publications:
Review of David Slavitt (tr.), De Rerum Natura. The Nature of Things. A Poetic Translaton (U. of California Press, 2008), The New England Classical Journal 36.4 (November 2009), 289-92.
Review of Stuart Gillespie and Philip Hardie (edd.), the Cambridge Companion to Lucretius (Cambridge U. Press, 2007), New England Classical Journal 36.3 (August, 2009), 215-17.
Revised edition of Lucretius. Selection from De rerum natura (Bolchazy-Carducci, fall 2007).
"Exploring the Myth of the Trojan Horse," invited chapter in new Latin textbook for high school students, Latin for the New Millennium, authored by Milena Minkove and Terence Tunberg (Bolchazy-Carducci, 2008), 214-16.
Scholarly contribution acknowledged by Dr. George F. Aubin in "The Negative Future IMperative in Algonquin," Papers of the Thirty-Eigth Algonquian Conference (U. of Manitoba, 2007), p. 7
Latina Mythica, Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers 2006. (xiv + 201 pp.) ISBN 0865165998). A reader of gradually increasing difficulty featuring the major Greco-Roman myths prior to the Trojan War.
Review of Eve Adler, Vergil’s Empire. Political Thought in the Aeneid (2003), The New England Classical Journal 31.2 (May 2004), 181-83.
“Juno to Jupiter,” original poem in rhymed couplets based on Ovid’s Heroides, The Classical Outlook 81.1(Fall 2003), 24.
“Lucretian Illuminations of Roman Life,” The New England Classical Journal 26.5 (Aug. 1999), 22-24.
“The Labors of Hercules,” original Greek passage, Athenaze Newsletter (Fall 1998), 15.
“Two Activities,” assignment related to the Worcester Art Museum classical collection, Athenaze Newsletter (Fall 1998), 20-21.
Review of Lucy Hutchinson’s Translation of Lucretius: De Rerum Naturaˆ(1996), ed., Hugh de Quehen, The New England Classical Journal 26.1 (Aug. 1998), 46-49.
Lucretius. Selections from De Rerum Natura. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Wauconda, IL. 1998. (xxx + 272pp.) ISBN 0-86516-399-5.
“Lucretian Light: Bacon’s Debt to Lucretius and Epicurus,” New England Classical Journal 25.3 (Feb.1998), 71–76.
“The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis”, an original Greek passage, Athenaze Newsletter, Spring1997, 8–10.
Selections from Lucretius’ De Rerum Natura, Fall 1996, part of The Classical Association of New England’s Series, Short Greek and Latin Texts for Students, xxii + 273 pages; also a Literal Translation Key for Teachers, 25 pages.
Review of William C. Scott, Musical Design in Sophoclean Theater (1996), The New England Classical Journal 24.1 (August 1996), 36-37.
“Duals,” AthenazeNewsletter, Fall 1994, 10.
“The Story of Jason,” an original Greek passage, Athenaze Newsletter, Fall 1993, 25-27.
Sample Quiz and original prose passage in Greek for final exam, Athenaze Newsletter, Spring 1993, 18-20.
“The Fear of Mockery: A Tragic Motivation,” The Classical Bulletin 67.1 (1991), 17-26.
“Labor, The Fundamental Requirement for Vergilian Man and Society,” Abstract of paper delivered March 31, 1990, The Classical Association of New England Annual Bulletin 85 (1990), 32.
“Vergilian Inversion of Lucretius in Anchises’ Exposition of the Soul,” VERGILIUS 35 (1989), 60-69. This article was quoted and referenced several times in “Patria Praecepta: Lucretius and Vergil in the Underworld,” by John Warden, Vergilius 46 (2000), 83-92.
“Lucretian Influence on Aeneid 6.724–51,” American Philological Association Abstracts (1989), 95; abstract of paper delivered January 7, 1989.
Editorial letter on Vergil, Aeneid 7.109-116 and the history of pizza, Natural History (April 1989), 6.
“Venus and Natura in Lucretius: De Rerum Natura 1.1-23 and 2.167-74,” The Classical Journal 84.2 (1989), 97-104.
“The Labyrinth on the Cumaean Gates and Aeneas’ Escape from Troy,” VERGILIUS 34 (1988), 71-76.
“Lucretius, Shakespeare and Dickens,” The Classical World 80.6 (1987), 423-27.
Review of C.A. Trypanis, Sophocles. The Three Theban Plays (1986), The New England Classical Newsletterand Journal 15.1 (1987), 40-41.
“Lucretian Labor and Vergil’s Labor Improbus,” The Classical Journal 81.4 (1986), 305-18. Referred to by Scott Goins in his article on Labor in The Classical Journal 88.4 (April/May 1993), 375 & 381-82.
Review of William C. Scott, Musical Design in Aeschylean Theater (1986), The New England Classical Newsletterand Journal 14.1 (1986), 26-27.
The Concept of Natura in the De Rerum Natura of Lucretius and the Georgics of Vergil, Ann Arbor, Michigan: University Microfilms International (1981), #8117765.
“Medea in Literature,” Abstract of lecture delivered May 3, 1980, CAMel Courier (September 1980), 7-8.
Publications In Progress:
Latina Mythica: Troia Capta graded textbook/reader featuring myths from the Trojan War and its aftermath. Intended as a Latin Iliad to give students essential mythical background in preparation for reading Vergil's Aeneid. Grammar is geared to the Latin for the New Millennium text. At the press.
Future publication projects:
Translation of Lucretius’ epic poem, De Rerum Natura
Revision of lecture on labor in Vergil for publication.
“A Double Binding in Prometheus Bound,” under revision.
“Catullus and the Language of Betrayal,” under revision.
Continuing work on Lucretian influence on the Aeneid, to be combined with earlier research on the Georgics to form a monograph on Lucretian influence on Vergil.
Webinar: "How to Teach Lucretius," sponsored by Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, July 10, 2008, 3-5 p.m. Central Time and Nov. 6, 2008. Participants earned professional development points.
Lectures and Presentations:
Aristoi Achaion: Best of the Achaeans, revised paper presented at the Classical Association of New England Annual Meeting, March 8, 2014, St. Anselm's College, Manchester, N.H.
"Illuminations of Roman Life through the Eyes of the Poet Lucretius" two 50" sections of illustrated lecture to the Massachusetts Junior Classical League, Dec. 6, 2013, Boston University
"Aristoi Achaion: The Best of the Achaeans" paper presented at colloquium on Epic Excellence, Assumption College, March 22, 2013
Guest lectures at the Marlborough Academy of Math and Science on Nov. 17, 2011:
1) Latina Mythica and the Joys of Mythology" to two ninth grade classes
2) "The Attraction of Lucretius" to 5 classes of Latin 1 students in 7th grade
Guest lecture at Prof. Anthony Zielonka's class "War in Film and Literature", Thursday, Sept 15, 2:30-3:45. Spoke on the difference between ancient and modern warfare. Showed slides. Led discussion.
Guest presentation "Learn Greek in 50 minutes" to Prof. Patrick Corrigan's Philosophy seminar, 2010.
Presentation of research and production of Latin Mythica II to English Department and Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Departments, Oct. 29, 2010.
"The Relevance of Lucretius," Wachusett Regional High School, Dalton, MA, May 12, 2009.
"Is the Past Relevant to Our Future?" lecture/converstaion with Assumption students and faculty, Jan. 31, 2007.
“Enlivening the Latin Classroom,” day-long workshop at Wachusett Regional High School, March 19, 2004.
“Hector: Hero, Bully, or Both?,” The Classical Association of New England Annual Meeting, University of Storrs, CT, March 22, 2003.
“Women in Greek Mythology,” Adult Religious Education Seminar, First Parish Church, Wayland, MA, March 22, 2001
“An Accident of History, or Why the New Testament is written in Greek,” Adult Religious Education Seminar, First Parish Church, Wayland, MA, February 15, 2001.
“A Cornucopia of Resources: Art in the Classroom,” hour-long invited workshop, Classical Association of New England Annual Meeting, Providence College, March 3, 2000.
“Lucretian Illuminations of Roman Life,” illustrated, Classical Association of New England Annual Meeting, St. Anselm College, March 6, 1999. Abstract pubished, Classical Association of New England Annual Bulletin 94 (1999), p. 11.
“Roman Life through a Lucretian Lens,” illustrated, Wahconah Regional High School, (Dalton, MA), October 13, 1998.
“The World of Homer,” illustrated, Wachusett (MA) Regional High School, October 21, 1997.
Seminar “On Teaching Lucretius,” to M.A.T. Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, November 2, 1995.