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Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
48
Latin
COURSE CODE:
PLACES 2012:
POINTS 2011
DEGREE AWARDED:
TR001 (TSM)
10
420-535*
B.A.
TSM points:
See page 27
Special Entry Requirements:
Leaving Certificate
HC3
In Latin or in a
language other
than English
Advanced GCE (A-Level)
Grade C In Latin or in a
language other
than English
Latin (TSM) cannot be studied as a single honor course.
It must be combined with one other subject within the two-
subject moderatorship (TSM) programme. TSM is a joint
honor programme. An honors degree is awarded in both
subjects.
For subjects that combine with Latin see page 36.
Latin may be studied from either beginners’ or a more
advanced level.
Latin and Greek may be studied together in the single
honor degree Classics – TR021 (see page 43).
Course overview
The study of Latin is concerned with the language, literature and
thought of ancient Rome. Through the reading of literature in
the original Latin and the examination of key aspects of ancient
history you will develop a thorough knowledge of the classical
world and a critical approach to textual and material culture.
Is this the right course for you?
Trinity College is the only university in Ireland with a Chair in
Latin, and it has a long and distinguished tradition in teaching
and research in Classics. If you are interested in studying the
language, the poetic imagination, and the historical value of a
civilisation that shaped the Western world, you will enjoy this
course.
Course content
Over the four years you will read texts in a wide variety of
genres, including epic, comedy, love poetry and historiography.
Whether you are continuing your language studies or taking
Latin as a beginner, you will engage with ancient texts both as
literature and as a gateway into culture and thought. Through the
critical study of ancient history, myth and religion you will acquire
a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on classical
culture. For all of your language-based courses the groups will
be small, stimulating lively discussion, analytic skills, and the
development of independent thinking.
The Freshman years
In the Junior Freshman (first) year you will be introduced to
the critical study of ancient history, culture and literature. The
language-based courses you take depend on whether you
have studied Latin before or are taking it up as a beginner; your
choice of a topic in ancient history and culture depends on your
TSM combination. In your Senior Freshman (second) year,
you continue the study of Latin language, literature and history.
Courses are taught by lectures and small-group seminars. There
are six to eight contact hours per week.
n
Greek and Roman history
– an introductory survey of the
Greek and/or Roman world, from the Greek Archaic age to
the early Roman Empire. The course covers topics such
as politics and power, Athenian democracy, the conquests
of Alexander, the emergence of Rome as a major imperial
power, colonisation, war and conflict.
n
Mythology and religion
– an introduction to the major
myths and religions of the classical world using both literary
and material evidence. The course also explores theories
of myth and the functions of myth within society.
n
Sources and evidence in history and archaeology
– an
introduction to the materials, methodologies and theories
employed by historians and archaeologists.
Latin for beginners
n
Elementary Latin
– an intensive introduction to the Latin
language. By the end of the year you will be ready to read
original texts and your command of the language will be
at the same level as those who have studied Latin before
entering university.
Latin for non-beginners
n
Latin authors
– text-based courses introduce you to the
critical reading of Latin literature through a close examination
and contextualisation of Roman poetry and prose from the
early republican to the imperial period. Texts include the
comedies of Plautus and Terence, Cicero’s famous speech
On Behalf of Caelius, Virgil’s Aeneid, the love poems of
Catullus and Ovid, and the letters of Pliny the Younger.
n
Latin language
– this course allows you to practice your
translation skills and to study the language of authors not
covered in the text-based courses.
The Sophister years
In the Sophister (third and fourth) years you will progress to an
in-depth study of topics in Roman literature, history and culture.
You will refine your analysis of texts in their literary and cultural
context through more specialised skills and methodologies, such
as textual criticism, linguistics and literary theories. Topics may
include Augustan poetry, Latin historians, Satire, Desire and the
body. In your Junior Sophister (third) year you will continue to
study ancient history, while separate language classes provide
additional assistance in improving your fluency and accuracy in
reading and interpretation. In the Senior Sophister (fourth) year
you will also study a special topic in Classical culture and write a
thesis on a subject of your choice. The thesis is an opportunity to
do research which will allow you to develop independent ideas
and acquire critical skills while investigating in great depth an
area that particularly interests you.