Rebecca Deitsch

It is impossible to understand the cultures of the West without some knowledge of classical mythology. Not only are some myths wildly entertaining, they permeate popular imagination and life to this day. This course focuses on the evidence from ancient Greece and Rome but may also include material from other traditions. Class discussion explores some of the overarching themes contained within the myths themselves and how these stories have influenced modern culture through literature and art. At the same time, students have a chance to observe how the treatment of different myths changes from author to author, thus revealing what issues were important to the people who told them. This course fulfils a core course requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every year.

Knowledge of Latin opens the door to direct engagement with some of the greatest and most influential writings in Western culture without the obscuring filter of translation. The study of Latin also enhances students' ability to think analytically and to use the English language with greater understanding and sophistication. The benefit of these skills extends far beyond the study of Latin to all areas of life that demand critical thinking or effective oral and written communication. The aim of this yearlong course is twofold: (1) to give students a thorough knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary employed by Roman writers of the second century B.C.E. through the second century C.E., and (2) to have students read increasingly unadapted passages from those writers. After completing this course, students are prepared to read with good comprehension the works of great Roman writers such as Cicero and Vergil. Faithful attendance and timely completion of all work are essential to success in this course. There are daily assignments to prepare and frequent written homework, including translations from English to Latin. Classroom work focuses on understanding and practicing grammar and on reading Latin. Students also are introduced to the literary and cultural context of the readings. Progress is assessed by regular tests and frequent quizzes. There is a three-hour final examination in May. This course presumes no prior study of Latin. Students enrolled in this course are automatically added to LATN 102Y for the spring semester. This course can be counted toward fulfillment of the major. No prerequisite. Offered every year.

Knowledge of Latin opens the door to direct engagement with some of the greatest and most influential writings in Western culture without the obscuring filter of translation. The study of Latin also enhances students' ability to think analytically and to use the English language with greater understanding and sophistication. The benefit of these skills extends far beyond the study of Latin to all areas of life that demand critical thinking or effective oral and written communication. The aim of this yearlong course is twofold: (1) to give students a thorough knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary employed by Roman writers of the second century B.C.E. through the second century C.E., and (2) to have students read increasingly unadapted passages from those writers. After completing this course, students are prepared to read with good comprehension the works of great Roman writers such as Cicero and Vergil. Faithful attendance and timely completion of all work are essential to success in this course. There are daily assignments to prepare and frequent written homework, including translations from English to Latin. Classroom work focuses on understanding and practicing grammar and on reading Latin. Students also are introduced to the literary and cultural context of the readings. Progress is assessed by regular tests and frequent quizzes. There is a three-hour final examination in May. This course presumes no prior study of Latin. This course can be counted toward fulfillment of the major. Prerequisite: LATN 101Y. Offered every year.

In this course, students improve their skills in reading Latin and discuss scholarship on the author or authors being read during the semester. Each semester the readings change, so that LATN 301 and 302 can be taken, to the student's advantage, several times. Students are encouraged to inform the instructor if there is a particular genre, author or theme they would especially like to study. The list of authors regularly taught in this course includes Horace and Ovid; the comic poet Plautus; and great prose stylists such as Livy, Tacitus, Petronius and Augustine, to name just a few. This course can be counted toward fulfillment of the major. Offered every fall.