Latin (LAT)

LAT 101. Elementary Latin I. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course students will begin their study of the magnificent Latin language by focusing on vocabulary, morphology, and syntax. The study of Latin will enhance students' understanding of the workings of language in general, and of English in particular, and will demonstrate for the students the indebtedness of English vocabulary to Latin. Through initial engagement with the literature of ancient Latin authors, students will develop an appreciation for the history, culture, and artistic contributions of ancient Rome and for the enduring legacy of Rome in our modern world.

LAT 102. Elementary Latin II. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course, students will continue their study of the magnificent Latin language by focusing on vocabulary, morphology, and syntax. The study of Latin will enhance students' understanding of the workings of language in general, and of English in particular, and will demonstrate for the students the indebtedness of English vocabulary to Latin. Through continuing engagement with the literature of ancient Latin authors, students will develop an appreciation for the history, culture, and artistic contributions of ancient Rome and of the enduring legacy of Rome in our modern world.

Prerequisite: LAT 101 or equivalent.

LAT 201. Intermediate Latin I. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course students will deepen their knowledge of Latin by reading selected texts of ancient Latin poetry and prose. The central goal of this course is for students to learn to read unadapted ancient Latin with increasing accuracy and facility. In addition to developing their understanding of central features of Latin vocabulary, morphology, and syntax, students will also learn to identify rhetorical literary figures that are essential to the eloquence of ancient Latin poetry and prose and that underscore the importance of encountering great literature in its original language. Close study of Latin literature will augment students' appreciation for the larger cultural contexts within which ancient Latin writings were composed.

Prerequisite: LAT 102 or equivalent.

LAT 202. Intermediate Latin II. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course students will deepen their knowledge of Latin by reading selected texts of ancient Latin poetry and prose. The central goal of this course is for students to learn to read unadapted ancient Latin with increasing accuracy and facility. In addition to developing their understanding of central features of Latin vocabulary, morphology, and syntax, students will also learn to identify rhetorical literary figures that are essential to the eloquence of ancient Latin poetry and prose and that underscore the importance of encountering great literature in its original language. Close study of Latin literature will augment students' appreciation for the larger cultural contexts within which ancient Latin writings were composed.

Prerequisite: LAT 201 or equivalent.

LAT 303. Intro to Latin Literature: Prose. 3 Credit Hours.

Students will learn to read more extensive selections of ancient Latin by a variety of prose authors, including Cicero, Caesar, Livy, Pliny, and others. Students will deepen their understanding of the central components of Latin, complemented by attention to the finer details of ancient prose and by analysis of unfamiliar grammatical constructions. Students will develop strategies for encountering multiple different authors, will learn to identify important markers of various genres of ancient Latin prose (e.g., essay, court oration, history, and the epistle), and will analyze how these ancient examples compare to their modern equivalents. Throughout the course students will learn about the larger contexts for each of the ancient prose selections, developing an appreciation for historical, political, and cultural aspects of ancient Latin writings.

Prerequisite: LAT 201.

LAT 304. Intro to Latin Literature:Poetry. 3 Credit Hours.

In this course students will continue to hone their understanding of Latin vocabulary, morphology, and syntax through close study of select passages of poetry by authors including Catullus, Martial, Ovid, Propertius, Tibullus, and Vergil. Students will develop their skills at reading extensive selections of ancient Latin poetry and will learn how to scan and recite various poetic meters. Students will learn to identify poetic and rhetorical literary figures as used in ancient Latin and in modern English and will consider the challenges involved in translating ancient Latin poetry into English, evaluating the translation choices made by students and by professional translators. Students will learn about the indebtedness of ancient Latin poetry to earlier Greek literature and will become attuned to the interplay between artistry and history, between poetry and politics.

Prerequisite: LAT 201 or equivalent.

LAT 315. Golden Age Prose. 3 Credit Hours.

Selected readings designed to introduce the student to the prose literature of typical Golden Age authors, including: Caesar, Cicero, Livy, and Sallust. In any given semester, authors and selections read will be based on student interest and program needs.

Prerequisite: LAT 201 or equivalent.

LAT 316. Silver Age Prose. 3 Credit Hours.

Selected readings designed to introduce the student to the prose literature of typical Silver Age authors, including Suetonius, Seneca, Petronius, Tacitus, and Pliny. In any given semester, authors and selections read will be based on student interest and program needs.

Prerequisite: LAT 201or equivalent.

LAT 390. Independent Study. 1-3 Credit Hours.

A student who wishes to pursue an independent study project for academic credit must submit, prior to registration, a proposed plan of study that includes the topic to be studied and goal to be achieved, the methodology to be followed, schedule of supervision, end product, evaluation procedure and number of credits sought. The proposal must be approved by the supervising faculty member, the department chair and the academic dean. It will be kept on file in the academic dean's office. Credit and hours by arrangement.