Latin
About the major
A Latin major allows you to read works of immense cultural and literary significance by the great writers of ancient Rome in their language. It offers an intellectual foundation for anyone interested in exploring the Classical past or navigating the present. Latin is the direct ancestor of nearly fifty modern languages and a major contributor to the vocabulary of many others, including English. It was the language of European literature, history, science, medicine, diplomacy, and law for nearly two thousand years.
A Latin major gives you an advanced ability to read and analyse significant works in the language of the Romans. You will study a wide selection of literary masterpieces in Latin, and thereby gain an appreciation of their contribution to culture and society. Your linguistic ability will develop as you progress through a series of units that introduce, practise and then analyse Latin morphology and syntax. You may begin either at 1000 level, if you have no prior knowledge of Latin, or at 2000 level, if you have previously studied Latin to HSC-level (or equivalent). On attaining your major, you will have met many of the most famous works of Latin literature and will better understand their cultural, linguistic and historical significance.
The Latin major opens pathways to careers in journalism, law, publishing, teaching, government and research, among others.
Requirements for completion
The Latin major and minor requirements are listed in the Latin unit of study table.
There are two pathways through a major or minor in Latin: one if you have not studied Latin to HSC-level, or equivalent (the non-HSC stream); and one if you have studied Latin to HSC level (the ex-HSC stream). Non-HSC students begin at 1000-level in their first year; ex-HSC students at 2000-level.
Learning outcomes
| No. | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate a confident and extensive knowledge of Classical Latin literature and critical approaches to it, and of the morphology, grammar and syntax of the Latin language. |
| 2 | Demonstrate an intimate familiarity with grammatical concepts and terminology commonly used to discuss the Latin language and a broad knowledge of important and influential works of Latin literature in the original language. |
| 3 | Demonstrate the ability to write grammatically correct Latin and to read, translate and discuss the grammatical features of Latin prose and poetry of the Roman republic and empire, from the third century BC to the second century AD (and beyond). |
| 4 | Demonstrate competency in the critical terminology and theory used in the academic study of Latin literature, and an understanding of the ways in which Latin literature reflects the cultural and political concerns of Roman society. |
| 5 | Critically analyse complex works of Latin literature in a range of genres, with the confidence to work with personal integrity both independently and collaboratively. |
| 6 | Construct and defend a valid argument about Latin literature and its interpretation in written and oral form. |
| 7 | Demonstrate dexterity and integrity in handling diverse cultural materials and the ability to explain these materials in collaborative contexts to diverse audiences. |
| 8 | Apply the theories and methods of other disciplines to their own work and utilise the skills and knowledge of students of Latin language and literature to address issues encountered in an interdisciplinary context. |
Advanced coursework
A fourth year of Advanced Coursework is not offered in Latin, but a major in Latin, and the completion of a second major, will permit students to undertake Advanced Coursework in Ancient History.
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. Our program consists of 2 seminar units – Research Skills in Latin Poetry and Research Skills in Latin Prose Literature – and a thesis of 18-20,000 words.
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.
The Honours Coordinator can advise you on acceptable equivalents to our standard requirements.
Honours admission requirements
Admission to Honours is via the Bachelor of Advanced Studies and requires the completion of a major in Latin with an average of 70% or above.
Prior to commencing honours, you will need to ensure you have completed all other requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or other bachelor degree, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units and a second major.
Requirements and units of study for honours can be found on the Latin honours units of study page.
Honours in Classics (joint Greek and Latin)
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, and a thesis of 18-20,000 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 can be found on the Departmental website at http://sydney.edu.au/arts/classics_ancient_history
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.
The Honours Coordinator can advise you on acceptable equivalents to our standard requirements.
Honours admission requirements
Admission to Honours in Classics is via the Bachelor of Advanced Studies and requires -
- a major in Latin with an average of 70% or above plus 18 additional senior credit points of Greek (including GRKA2601 Intermediate Greek 2); or
- a major in Ancient Greek with an average of 70% or above plus 18 additional senior credit points of Latin (including LATN2601 Intermediate Latin 2); and
- completion of all other requirements of the Bachelor of Advanced Studies, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units and a second major, prior to commencing Honours.
Contacts and further information
More information and current contact details for academic coordinators may be found at:
http://sydney.edu.au/arts/classics_ancient_history
The Department of Classic and Ancient History is administered by the School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry (SOPHI).
Example pathways
Sample Pathways - Latin major (non-HSC stream)
You can enter this stream either as a first-year student (and complete the junior units coded LATN1600 Introduction to Latin 1 and LATN1601 Introduction to Latin 2) or as a second- or third-year student. The latter option allows students who have decided to major in ancient history, classical archaeology, philosophy and other fields to gain the competence in Latin that they need to complete or complement their own studies.
| Non HSC pathway | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Semester | Units of Study | |||
| 1 | 1 | Latin major LATN1600 Introduction to Latin 1 |
Elective | Elective | minor / Table S major 2 |
| 2 | Latin major LATN1601 Introduction to Latin 2 |
Elective | Elective | minor / Table S major 2 | |
| 2 | 1 | Latin major LATN2600 Intermediate Latin 1 |
Open Learning |
Elective | minor / Table S major 2 |
| 2 | Latin major LATN2601 Intermediate Latin 2 |
Open Learning Environment units |
Elective | minor / Table S major 2 | |
| 3 | 1 | Latin major 3000 level unit |
Latin major 3000 level unit |
Table S major 2 / elective | minor / Table S major 2 |
| 2 | Latin major 3000 level unit |
Latin major LATN3999 project unit |
Table S major 2 / elective | minor / Table S major 2 | |
Sample pathway – Latin Major (ex-HSC stream)
If you have studied Latin to HSC-level, you enter straight into the 2000 level units of Latin study. The core units that you complete in your first year are LATN2600 (Intermediate Latin 1) and LATN2601 (Intermediate Latin 2).
| HSC pathway | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Semester | Units of Study | |||
| 1 | 1 | Latin major LATN2600 Intermediate Latin 1 |
Elective | Elective | minor / Table S major 2 |
| 2 | Latin major LATN2601 Intermediate Latin 2 |
Elective | Elective | minor / Table S major 2 | |
| 2 | 1 | Latin major 3000 level unit |
Open Learning |
Elective | minor / Table S major 2 |
| 2 | Latin major 3000 level unit |
Open Learning Environment units |
Elective | minor / Table S major 2 | |
| 3 | 1 | Latin major 3000 level unit |
Latin major 3000 level unit |
Table S major 2 / elective | minor / Table S major 2 |
| 2 | Latin major 3000 level unit |
Latin major LATN3999 project unit |
Table S major 2 / elective | minor / Table S major 2 | |
Sample Pathway - Majors in Latin and Ancient Greek, Honours in Classics
| Honours - Classics: 2nd major Latin | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Semester | Units of Study | |||
| 1 | 1 | Latin major | Elective | Elective | Ancient Greek major |
| 2 | Latin major | Elective | Elective | Ancient Greek major | |
| 2 | 1 | Latin major | Open Learning Environment units |
Elective | Ancient Greek major |
| 2 | Latin major | Open Learning Environment units |
Elective | Ancient Greek major | |
| 3 | 1 | Latin major | Latin major | Ancient Greek major | Ancient Greek major |
| 2 | Latin major | Latin major | Ancient Greek major | Ancient Greek major | |
| 4 | 1 |
Classics Honours 4000 level seminar unit |
Classics Honours 4000 level seminar unit |
||
| 2 |
Classics Honours 4000 level seminar unit |
Classics Honours 4000 level seminar unit |
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