Latin, Minor

Program Description

The Latin minor emphasizes the development of skills in the linguistic and literary aspects of the Latin language. Through 18 credits of coursework, including 6 at the 400-level, students develop:

• mastery of the grammatical structures essential to the ability to read Latin;
• a vocabulary adequate to the sight recognition of a large number of Latin vocabulary items; and
• a thorough understanding of the formal system of word inflection and derivation which forms the grammatical core of the language.

Once students have completed the basic 12 credits in LATIN 1, LATIN 2 and LATIN 3, they have the opportunity to pursue their studies in a wide variety of 400-level courses, which include prose authors such as historians, poets who wrote in epic and elegiac styles, playwrights, and other literary stylists who round out the vast body of Latin literature. In addition, 400-level courses are available on such topics as Latin prose composition, in which students learn to write Latin, and Latin linguistic history. The minor is appropriate for a wide number of majors, including history, medieval studies, archaeology, medicine, philosophy, and law.

What is Latin?

Latin is the language formerly spoken throughout the Roman empire and is the language of early art, literature, and political thought. Latin is also the mother of the modern romance languages, such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Knowledge of Latin can be a great advantage to students interested in graduate study in Ancient History, Classics, Archaeology, Linguistics, Medieval Studies, Comparative Literature, and other fields.

You Might Like This Program If...

• You’re looking to supplement your major with a language that can greatly improve your vocabulary and grammar.
• You want to develop a mastery of the grammatical structures essential to the ability to read Latin.
• You hope to improve your skill of formulating persuasive and clear messages.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program

Career Paths

A minor in Latin provides students with a strong foundation for skills such as language analysis, research, critical thinking, and the ability to craft clear and artful writing. Such skills highly appeal to potential graduate programs and employers.

Careers

• Law
• Business
• Journalism
• Archivist

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS AND ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES
108 Weaver Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-8851
bdw150@psu.edu

https://cams.la.psu.edu/