Welcome to the vibrant world of Latin studies at the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures! Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of a language that has shaped literature, philosophy, and culture for centuries. Our dedicated faculty is committed to fostering a dynamic learning environment where students not only master the intricacies of Latin grammar but also explore the rich tapestry of Roman history and literature. Join us on a journey of intellectual discovery and linguistic mastery, where the study of Latin opens doors to a deeper understanding of classical civilization and enhances your appreciation for the foundations of Western thought. Embrace the classical tradition and embark on a transformative academic experience with us!

Latin Specialty Program

We recently began to offer a specialization program on the study of the Ancient cultures of Europe and the Mediterranean, and are currently in the process of reforming it so that it will consist of fewer credits while at the same time increasing its rigor.

Being the study of cultures, the program is interdisciplinary in nature. As a result, it is a collaborative project by the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, The Department of History and The Department of Philosophy.

We also hope to include the Department of Anthropology, and to make connections with those studying premodern cultures in other regions (for instance, the Department of Chinese and the Department of Japanese Language and Literature).

At the same time, two newly hired Classicists in the DFLL will allow us to deepen our offerings by, for example, offering classes on the reuse of Classical literature in later authors from around the globe. Furthermore, a recent uptick in interest in Latin has allowed us to consider opening up Latin classes beyond the second year, which will be oriented around particular genres, periods, or themes.

Overall, the program contributes to the goal of increasing breadth by promoting and developing connections between faculty in different departments, while it also fosters greater depth by allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of cultures and literatures they usually meet only in passing.