Latin

Latin is taught by the Department of Classics and Ancient History within the School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry (SOPHI).

The department of Classics and Ancient History offers three separate majors in ancient world studies: Ancient History, which has a history-centred disciplinary approach to the ancient world, and Latin and Ancient Greek, language-based majors which allow for progression from complete beginners to an advanced mastery of the language and literature. Students are encouraged to supplement the focus of their particular major by drawing on the wide range of units of study available within the department (and in related departments, such as Archaeology and Philosophy) to build an Arts degree with a deep, cross-disciplinary grounding in the ancient world.

Units of study in Latin deal with various aspects of Roman language and culture. The Latin 1600 units of study assume no previous knowledge of Latin and aim to provide students with a basic knowledge of the language. Those who have achieved the appropriate level of Latin at the HSC or equivalent examination will be granted senior status and admitted to Latin 2600. Senior units focus on a variety of literary genres from both the Republic and the Empire. Study of the language is regarded not merely as an end in itself but as a critical tool for the understanding of Latin literature, history and society.

Honours in Latin
Qualifying for Honours
If you are considering an Honours year in Latin, it is best to seek early advice on all the pathways open to you and the skills you will need to do your best. Our formal prerequisites are a credit or better average in 42 senior credit points of Latin including two of LATN3603, 3604, 3605, 3606 plus 6 additional senior credit points of Greek, Latin, or Ancient History. The Honours Coordinator can advise you on acceptable equivalents to our standard requirements.

Undertaking Honours
An extra year of Latin allows students to specialise in a particular field and to write a major piece of research. The honours year can be the culmination of your study of Latin or a pathway to further research in our postgraduate program (though in this case you should also consider doing at least two years of Ancient Greek). Our program consists of two seminars, an unseen translation exam and a thesis of 15,000 words on a topic decided by you in consultation with your supervisor.

Full details of the program, its prerequisites and its relationship to other majors taught by the department may be found on the departmental website at sydney.edu.au/arts/classics_ancient_history

Honours in Classics (joint Greek and Latin)
Qualifying for Honours
If you are considering an honours year in Classics it is best to seek early advice on all the pathways open to you and the skills you will need to do your best. Our formal prerequisites are EITHER credit average in 36 senior credit points of Latin including two of LATN3603, 3604, 3605, 3606 plus 18 additional senior credit points of Greek OR credit average in 36 senior credit points of Greek including two of GRKA3603, 3604, 3605, 3606 plus 18 additional senior credit points of Latin. The Honours Coordinator can advise you on acceptable equivalents to our standard requirements.

Undertaking Honours
An extra year of Classics allows students to specialise in a particular field and to write a major piece of research. The honours year can be the culmination of your study of Classics or a pathway to further research. Our program consists of two seminars, an unseen translation exam and a thesis of 15,000 words on a topic decided by you in consultation with your supervisor.

Full details of the program, its prerequisites and its relationship to other majors taught by the department may be found on the departmental website sydney.edu.au/arts/classics_ancient_history

Cross-listing (units of study from other subject areas)
Please check the cross-listing schedule located on the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences website.

Contact/further information
Students seeking further information about units of study, or about the books recommended for study, should call at the School office on level 3 of the Quadrangle, phone +61 2 9351 2862 or visit our website at sydney.edu.au/arts/classics_ancient_history