Did you know that most scholars believe between 70 and 85 percent of the English language is derived from Latin?
Understanding Latin impacts your ability to understand other languages, including English. But it is also important for better understanding a range of academic disciplines, including those related to healthcare, history, religion and theology, mathematics, and other fields.
Latin was the main language of academics and clerics in medieval times through the Renaissance. Although the use of Latin in the church has diminished, it remains the official language of the Roman Catholic Church and the official language of the Holy See in Vatican City.
Why study the classics at Marian?
The Department of Languages and Cultures offers a four-semester sequence of courses to guide you in reading Latin.
- For Latin 101 through 200, Latin is presented through the text Lingua Latina: Familia Romana, an engaging ongoing story that takes place in the Roman imperial era.
- In LAT 201, readings are tailored to your interests and skill level, and can cover anything in Latin literature adaptable to an intermediate college reading level.
What will you study?
Language is inseparable from the culture speaking it, so if you want to go deeper into the classical world start with these courses.
| LAT 101 | This introduction to the Latin language is illustrated through a continuing narrative where you'll encounter vocabulary, grammar, the meanings or words, and the rules of grammar in context using the immersion-induction method. (Every fall semester; four credit hours; no prerequisite.) |
| LAT 102 | Build on LAT 101. You'll learn vocabulary and syntax in the context of the narrative. Language from readings is reinforced through applying what was understood through readings. (Every spring semester; four credit hours; prerequisite is LAT 101 or placement.) |
| LAT 200 | Finish all the basics you need to know by continuing to study the vocabulary and syntext in the context of the narrative. Learning is reinforced through exercises in Latin. (Every fall semester; three credit hours; prerequisite is LAT 102 or placement.) |
| LAT 201 | Readings in Latin texts with strategies to improve reading comprehension, drawing on Greek, Roman, and medieval myths and legends for content. (Every spring semester; three credit hours; prerequisite is LAT 200 or placement.) |
Any of the four Latin courses satisfies Marian University's general education requirement for language study.
Classics minor (18 hours)
Take any six of these seven three hour courses:
- Intermediate Latin: LAT 200, LAT 201
- Biblical Greek: THL 129, THL 130 (pre-requisite: THL 129)
- Classical Mythology: ENG 319
- Philosophy of Plato and Aristotle: PHL 203
- Greek and Roman Art: ARH 33
The classics minor qualifies as a general education course cluster.