Courses of Instruction

LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (LAT-Arts and Science; Department of Classics)

Note: LAT 101, 102 are not open for credit to students who have completed two or more units of high school Latin except with permission of chair, Department of Classics.

101/102 Beginning Latin (4, 4)

Essentials of Latin language including basic principles of grammar, acquisition of a basic vocabulary, and practice in reading and writing. (102) Continuation of LAT 101 culminating in readings selected from appropriate Latin authors. Prerequisite: (102) completion of LAT 101 or equivalent.

121 Review Latin (5)

Intensive review of basic Latin grammar with practice in reading and translation. Readings include Cicero's In Catalinam I (or another speech by Cicero) and selections from Catullus. Fulfills prerequisite for 202; should be taken if students feel that their previous preparation has not prepared them for 201. Prerequisite: at least two years of high school Latin or equivalent. Full credit toward graduation will not be awarded for LAT 121 if student earned credit in LAT 101, 102, and/or 201.

Advanced Courses

Note: LAT 202 or its equivalent or permission of instructor is the prerequisite for all advanced courses 300 and above.

201 Intermediate Latin (3)

Review of essentials of Latin grammar with immediate emphasis on reading. Readings selected from major figures in Latin poetry: recent offerings included Catullus, Ovid, Martial. Prerequisite: LAT 102 or two years of high school Latin.

202 Intermediate Latin (3)

Reading and analysis of selections from such authors as Vergil and Cicero. Prerequisite: LAT 121 or 201 or three years of high school Latin. CAS-B-LIT or CAS-A (not both).

310 Special Topics in Latin Literature (3; maximum 12; may be repeated when content changes)

Study of selected authors or special topics in Latin literature. Prerequisite: LAT 202. CAS-B-LIT. Recent offerings included:

310B Vergil's Aeneid.

Reading and analysis of major portions of the epic with particular emphasis on Vergil's achievement in transforming the epic genre and in offering a penetrating commentary of the Augustan age.

310C Vergil's Non-epic Poetry.

Selected readings from Eclogues, Georgics, and Appendix Vergiliana with particular emphasis on Vergil's development as a poet and his achievement in recreating the Greek genres of pastoral and georgic with uniquely Roman themes and styles.

310E Catullus and Horace.

Reading and analysis of the chief geniuses of Roman lyric. Exploration of the meaning of lyric for each, their relation to earlier models, their handling of complex meters, their individual poetic vision.

310F Cicero.

An attempt to assess the extraordinary range and achievement of this giant of Roman literature. Emphasis varies, but some attention devoted to his practice and theory of oratory, his poetic experiments, his efforts in philosophy, and his superb handling of the epistolary form.

321 Latin Prose Composition and Syntax (3)

Intensive review of grammatical principles. Exercises in sight translation and exploration of the art of translation. Introduction to elementary prose composition. Prerequisite: LAT 202.

404 Medieval Latin (3)

Christian Latin literature from the fall of Rome to Renaissance. History, anecdote, drama, argument, lyric, pastoral, and satire verse. Special attention to the nature of medieval Latin and its relation to romance languages. Prerequisite: LAT 202. CAS-B-LIT. Offered infrequently.

410 Latin Seminar (3; maximum 12)

Intensive reading of a selected author or in a specific topic. Advanced reading level and comprehension are assumed. Individual research and reports required. Specific study of current scholarship. Prerequisite: one semester of Latin at 300 level or permission of instructor. CAS-B-LIT. Recent offerings included:

410A Roman Comedy.

Reading and analysis of plays by Plautus and/or Terence with emphasis on relation to Greek models and uniquely Roman elements.

410D Ovid.

Reading from the works of Ovid. Study of literary types found in Ovid. Life of the author and his influences, and his relationship to Augustan Age.

410E Lucretius.

Reading and analysis of De Rerum Natura with particular emphasis on the role of Lucretius in Greek and Roman epic tradition, his place in the history of Epicurean thought, and his extraordinary achievement as a poet.

480 Independent Reading for Departmental Honors (3)

Reading centered upon a major topic of Roman literature and thought, normally culminating in an independent essay. Prerequisite: normally completion of LAT 201 through at least one semester at 400 level.

630 Directed Study in the Latin Language (1-4; maximum 12)

Graduate standing and permission of department chair and instructor required

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