Department of Classics, Philosophy, and Religion

Craig R. Vasey, Chair

Liane R. Houghtalin, Career Advisor

Faculty

Professor

Liane R. Houghtalin

Associate Professors

Angela L. Pitts
Joseph M. Romero

The Latin Program

The study of Latin is an appropriate complement to any major in the liberal arts or sciences, and any student may use Latin to satisfy the College’s general education requirement for proficiency in a foreign language. Students wishing to major may choose a concentration in Latin within the Classics major. Mary Washington is a member of the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies, and students who major in  Latin are encouraged to apply to its programs in Rome and Sicily; some financial aid is available.

While some majors include teacher licensure in their schedule, others combine their concentration in Latin with a second major in a related field such as history, philosophy, religion, English, business, or modern foreign languages. With such a background, graduates have a wide range of opportunities after college, including museum work, archaeology, graduate study, teaching, and translating. In recent years, Latin majors have been unusually successful in obtaining high school teaching positions and in gaining admission to graduate and professional schools.

*For information regarding general education language requirements for students not currently majoring in Modern Foreign Languages, please see page 81-82 in this Catalog.

Requirements for Latin Concentration in Classics Major

Thirty (33) credits including Classics 103 and 105, Latin 430, at least fifteen (15) additional credits in Latin courses beyond the intermediate level, and at least nine credits in approved courses relating to Classical Civilization.  Approved courses are any upper-level Latin course; any Greek course; any Classics course; Art History 114, 305, 310, 311; Classics151 Philosophy-Religion 299; Classics-Philosophy-Religion 301, 302, 331 (all with permission); English 319, 320; History 331, 332; Italian 395; Philosophy 201, 310, 311; Religion 206, 211, 231 (with permission), 306, 331 (with permission), 341 (with permission).

Latin Course Offerings (LATN)

101, 102 – Elementary Latin (3, 3)

Essentials of Latin grammar and introduction to translating Latin literature.

201, 202 – Intermediate Latin (3, 3)

Prerequisite: LATN 102, two units of secondary school instruction in Latin, or placement by departmental exam. Readings in Latin prose and poetry.

Prerequisites for all 300- and 400-level Latin courses: Latin 202, four units of secondary school instruction in Latin, or placement by departmental exam. Latin 451, 452, 491, 492 also require permission of the Classics faculty.

305, 307 – Survey of Latin Literature I, II (3, 3)

Survey of Latin language and literature from the earliest inscriptions to the end of secular Roman writing. Introduction to materials and methods or the study of classical literature. May be taken in either order.

352 – Roman Drama (3)

Selected plays of Plautus, Terence, and/or Seneca.

353 – Cicero (3)

Readings selected from Cicero’s letters and/or orations.

354 – Lyric and Elegiac Poetry (3)

Readings from Catullus, Propertius, and Tibullus.

355 – Roman Historical Writing (3)

Selected readings from Roman historians.

356 – Vergil (3)

Readings from the Eclogues, Georgics, and/or Aeneid.

357 – Horace (3)

Readings from the Odes and Epodes.

358 – Ovid (3)

Selected readings from Ovid’s epic and/or elegiac poems.

425 – Latin Tutoring Practicum (3)

Advanced students serve as tutors in introductory or intermediate level Latin classes. Permission of instructor.

430 – Advanced Latin Grammar and Composition (3)

An in depth study of Latin grammar through composition. Required of all Classics majors concentrating in Latin.

432 – Roman Philosophical Thought (3)

Readings from Lucretius, Cicero, and/or Seneca.

434 – Roman Satire (3)

Readings selected from the satires of Horace and Juvenal.

451, 452 – Special Studies in Latin Literature (3, 3)

Reading and study of individual Latin authors or literary genres.

491, 492 – Individual Study in Latin (1–3)

Individual study under the direction of a member of the staff. By permission of the Classics faculty.

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