Latin&Greek

Greek 101 introduces students not only to the language and literature of the ancient Greeks, but also to their history, culture, and society, as the former cannot be appreciated fully without the latter. The objectives for Greek 101 are to learn content, specifically vocabulary, morphology, and syntax; to learn to translate Greek accurately and efficiently; and to come to a deeper appreciation of the culture that helped to shape not only ancient Greek literature but also the literature of the western world. This course is designed to prepare students to read the Classical poets (e.g. Homer, Sappho, Aristophanes, and Euripides), historians (Herodotus, Thucydides), orators (Lysias, Demosthenes), and philosophers (Plato, Aristotle) as well as the New Testament in the original Greek.

GREK 102. Elementary Ancient Greek II (3 credits)

Recommended prerequisite: GREK 101 completed within one calendar year, or 2 years of high school Ancient Greek or consent of instructor.

Greek 102 is a continuation of Greek 101.

GREK 201. Intermediate Ancient Greek I (3-3-0)

Recommended prerequisite: GREK 102, its equivalent, or permission of instructor.

Greek 201 builds upon the fundamental grammar introduced in Greek 101 and 102. It comprises both an extensive review of Greek grammar and a close study of selected works of Greek prose within their literary, historical and cultural contexts.

GREK 295. Special Topics (3-3-0)

Topics vary, determined by the special interests and needs of students and the expertise of faculty.

The Minor Degree in Latin (18 credits)

Latin language and literature are among the very foundations upon which western civilization rests. Not only is Latin the mother tongue of all the romance languages, it also serves as one of the sources from which a significant portion of English vocabulary is derived; and in the post-Classical period, Latin became the standard language for philosophers, theologians, physicians, scientists and mathematicians, who wanted to share their ideas with colleagues across the western world. In addition, Latin texts exerted a profound influence on the development of literature in the west, from medieval courtly romance, to the epic and pastoral poems of the Renaissance, to more recent works such as Derek Walcott’s critically acclaimed Omeros.

Roman Arch

Given the significance of Latin in western culture, particularly in the spheres of language and literature, a minor in Latin will be especially useful for students who wish to pursue degrees in Modern Languages, English, History, Philosophy and Religious Studies, as well as for students pursuing degrees in math or the sciences who wish to study the historical background of their disciplines in greater depth.

The Latin minor is designed to provide students with mastery of Latin grammar and syntax as well as the skills necessary for translating original Latin texts from all time periods accurately and efficiently; upper-level courses will also provide instruction in the criticism and interpretation of ancient Latin texts. Supplementary courses in Greco-Roman literature, culture, and history will provide a wider background for understanding Latin literature in its context.

The curriculum for the Latin minor is as follows:

1) Four LATN classes at the 200-level or above;

2) Select two electives from the following:

LATN: any 300 level or above

CLST: any 200 level or above

GREK: any course

HIST 302 Roman History

A minimum grade of C- is required in all courses that are to be counted toward the completion of the minor program in Latin.

The Curriculum in Latin

LATN 101. Elementary Latin I (3-3-0)

Students with 3 or more years of high school Latin are encouraged to enroll in LATN 200.

Latin 101 introduces students not only to the language and literature of the ancient Romans, but also to their original historical, cultural, and societal contexts. The objectives for Latin 101 are to learn content, specifically vocabulary, morphology, and syntax; to learn to translate Latin accurately and efficiently; and to come to a deeper appreciation of the culture that helped to shape not only ancient Latin literature but also the literature of the western world.

LATN 102. Elementary Latin II (3-3-0)

Recommended prerequisite: LATN 101 completed within one calendar year, or 2 years of high school Latin or consent of instructor.

Latin 102 is a continuation of Latin 101.

LATN 195. Special Topics (3-3-0)

Topics vary, determined by the special interests and needs of students and the expertise of faculty.

LATN 200. Latin and Its Living Legacy. (3-3-0)

Recommended prerequisite: LATN 102, or 3 years of high school Latin, or consent of instructor.

In Latin 200 students build translation skills while exploring the rich, cultural heritage of the Latin language and culture. The course begins with a thorough review of Latin morphology, syntax, and vocabulary, as well as a review of the methodology of translation. The course then focuses on the translation and interpretation of selected passages of Latin texts, ranging from the literature of the ancient Romans, to Christian texts, to the works of the Renaissance humanists and beyond.

LATN 202. Intermediate Latin II (3-3-0)

Recommended prerequisite: LATN 200, or 3 or more years of high school Latin, or consent of instructor.

In Latin 202 students read Ovid’s Ars Amatoria, an elegiac poem that purports to offer the youth of Rome instructions on “The Art of Love”, or more specifically on how to begin and subsequently maintain a successful love affair. In this course students continue to master Latin morphology and syntax and refine their translation skills, learn to scan elegiac poetry accurately and read it aloud metrically, and analyze the content of the Ars Amatoria both within its original cultural context and within the context of the modern American “relationship”. The course will conclude with an examination of the influence of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria on later literature, particularly the medieval poetry of “courtly love”.

LATN 295. Special Topics (3-3-0)

Topics vary, determined by the special interests and needs of students and the expertise of faculty.

LATN 301/401. The Lyric Poetry of Catullus and Horace (3-3-0)

LATN 301: Recommended pre-requisite: LATN 202, 4 or more years of high school Latin, or permission of instructor; LATN 401: Required Prerequisite: one LATN course at the 300-level or permission of instructor. Students who complete the course at one level may not take the course for credit at the other level.

This course is a thorough introduction to the genre of lyric poetry in Late Republican and Augustan Rome. We will begin with the poetry of Catullus, who paved the way for Latin lyric poets with the raw emotion of his verses on love, loss, and the art of being “cool”. We will then move on to an examination of Horace’s Odes, in which lyric poetry serves not simply as an emotional outlet but also as an appropriate medium for the dissemination of political and philosophical ideals as well as an “artifice of eternity” that immortalizes both the poet and those who inhabit his verses. In addition to improving upon their metrical and translation skills, students will analyze the verses of Horace and Catullus both within their original cultural and literary contexts and within the theoretical framework of modern scholarship on Greco-Roman lyric poetry. Students taking this course at the 400-level will be required to write a final paper analyzing a topic of their own choosing in addition to completing the other assignments listed on the syllabus.

LATN 302/402. Roman Historians (3-3-0)

LATN 302: Recommended prerequisite: LATN 202, 4 or more years of high school Latin, or permission of instructor; LATN 402: Required prerequisite: one LATN course at the 300-level or permission of instructor. Students who take the course for credit at one level may not take the course for credit at the other level.

This course covers the works of a variety of ancient Roman historians, including but not limited to Sallust, Livy, and Tacitus. In addition to increasing their ability to translate, parse, and appreciate Latin prose, students will engage in the analysis and interpretation of texts within the appropriate philological, historical, aesthetic, and cultural contexts. Students taking this course at the 400-level will be required to write a research paper in addition to completing the other assignments listed on the syllabus.

LATN 303/403. Roman Orators (3-3-0)

LATN 303: Recommended prerequisite: LATN 202, 4 or more years of high school Latin, or permission of instructor; LATN 403: Required prerequisite: one LATN course at the 300-level or permission of instructor. Students who take the course for credit at one level may not take the course for credit at the other level.

This course focuses primarily on Cicero's orations, but other works of Latin literature relevant to the topic of Roman oratory may be introduced. In addition to increasing their ability to translate, parse, and appreciate Latin prose, students will engage in the analysis and interpretation of texts within the appropriate philological, historical, aesthetic, and cultural contexts. Students taking this course at the 400-level will be required to write a research paper in addition to completing the other assignments listed on the syllabus.

LATN 304/404. Vergil (3-3-0)

LATN 304: Recommended prerequisite: LATN 202, 4 or more years of high school Latin, or permission of instructor; LATN 404: Required prerequisite: one LATN course at the 300-level or permission of instructor. Students who take the course for credit at one level may not take the course for credit at the other level.

This course will provide students with a thorough introduction to the works of Vergil and to the literary climate of the early Augustan period. Students will translate selected passages from the Eclogues, Georgics, and Aeneid. Emphasis will be placed on translation, meter, and interpretation.

LATN 305/405. Silver Age Latin (3-3-0)

LATN 305: Recommended prerequisite: LATN 202, 4 or more years of high school Latin, or permission of instructor; LATN 405: Required prerequisite: one LATN course at the 300-level or permission of instructor. Students who take the course for credit at one level may not take the course for credit at the other level.

This course introduces students to Silver Age Latin authors such as Martial, Juvenal, and Lucan, but other relevant works of Latin literature may be introduced. In addition to increasing their ability to translate, parse, and appreciate Silver Age Latin, students will engage in the analysis and interpretation of texts within the appropriate philological, historical, aesthetic, and cultural contexts. Students taking this course at the 400-level will be required to write a research paper in addition to completing the other assignments listed on the syllabus.

LATN 306/406. Epistles (3-3-0)

LATN 306: Recommended prerequisite: LATN 202, 4 or more years of high school Latin, or permission of instructor; LATN 406: Required prerequisite: one LATN course at the 300-level or permission of instructor. Students who take the course for credit at one level may not take the course for credit at the other level.

In this course students read a selection of Latin epistles written during the Republic and Empire. In addition to increasing their ability to translate, parse, and appreciate Latin epistolary prose, students will engage in the analysis and interpretation of texts within the appropriate philological, historical, aesthetic, and cultural contexts. Students taking this course at the 400-level will be required to write a research paper in addition to completing the other assignments listed on the syllabus.

LATN 395. Special Topics (3-3-0)

Recommended prerequisites: LATN 202, 4 or more years of high school Latin, or permission of the instructor.

Topics vary, determined by the special interests and needs of students and the expertise of faculty. Students may take this course multiple times for credit with the consent of the instructor.

LATN 495. Special Topics (3-3-0)

Recommended prerequisites: LATN 202, 4 or more years of high school Latin, or permission of the instructor.

Topics vary, determined by the special interests and needs of students and the expertise of faculty. Students may take this course multiple times for credit with the consent of the instructor.