112. Intensive Elementary Latin (summer, 2 c.u.)

An accelerated introduction to the Latin language for beginners, equivalent in scope to the first year of Latin (101+102). Ideal for students with some background in learning languages, or who need to learn Latin rapidly. Students begin learning grammar and vocabulary, with practical exercises in reading in writing. By the end of the course students will have a complete working knowledge of Latin grammar, a growing vocabulary, and experience in reading selected inscriptions in the Penn Museum and Julius Caesar’s account of the Roman invasion of Britain. 

203. Intermediate Latin Prose (fall)

Prerequisite(s): LATN 102 or equivalent (such as placement score of 550). Introduction to continuous reading of unadapted works by Latin authors in prose (e.g., Cornelius Nepos, Cicero, Pliny), in combination with a thorough review of Latin grammar. By the end of the course students will have thorough familiarity with the grammar, vocabulary, and style of the selected authors, will be able to tackle previously unseen passages by them, and will be able to discuss questions of language and interpretation.

204. Intermediate Latin Poetry (spring)

Prerequisite(s): LATN 203 or equivalent (such as placement score of 600). Continuous reading of several Latin authors in poetry (e.g., Ovid, Virgil, Horace) as well as some more complex prose, in combination with ongoing review of Latin grammar. By the end of the course students will have thorough familiarity with the grammar, vocabulary, and style of the selected authors, will be able to tackle previously unseen passages by them, and will be able to discuss language and interpretation. Note: Completion of Latin 204 with C- or higher fulfills Penn’s Foreign Language Requirement.

212. Intensive Intermediate Latin (summer, 2 c.u.)

Prerequisite(s): LATN 102 or equivalent (such as placement score of 550). Accelerated introduction to reading of Latin authors, at twice the normal pace, equivalent in scope to second-year Latin (203–204). Ideal for undergraduates or graduate students from Penn or elsewhere who have completed the equivalent of one year Greek (e.g., GREK 112). Readings in simpler prose and poetry (e.g., Cornelius Nepos, Ovid), then in more challenging prose and poetry (e.g., Cicero, Pliny, Virgil, Horace), in combination with a thorough review of Latin grammar. By the end of the course students will have thorough familiarity with the grammar, vocabulary, and style of the selected authors, will be able to tackle previously unseen passages by them, and will be able to discuss language and interpretation. Note: Completion of Latin 212 with C- or higher fulfills Penn’s Foreign Language Requirement.

Prerequisite(s): Completion of Latin 204 or equivalent (such as placement score of 650), or by permission of instructor. An introduction to the advanced study of Latin, with continuous readings in selected authors combined with review of language and literary history. The course is intended as a preparation for Latin 309. By the end of the course students will have an extensive knowledge of Latin and its literature, will be versatile and independent readers, will have a good working knowledge of the resources available for analyzing and writing about Latin texts, and will be familiar with different interpretive approaches. Note: Unlike Latin 309, this course can only be taken once.

309. Topics in Latin Literature (fall and spring)

Prerequisite(s): Latin 204, 305, or equivalent (such as placement score of 650), or by permission of instructor. Close reading and discussion of a Latin author or a particular literary genre. Recent authors: Caesar, Horace, Lucan, Ovid, Perpetua, Petronius, Plautus, Propertius, Seneca, Virgil. Topics vary each semester, and the course may be repeated for credit. Students are strongly encouraged to take Latin 305 prior to taking 309.

Undergraduate Classical Greek Courses (GREK)

101. Elementary Classical Greek I (fall) 

An introduction to Classical Greek morphology and syntax.  This course includes exercises in grammar, Greek composition, and translation from Greek to English. Emphasis is placed upon developing the ability to read Greek with facility.

102. Elementary Classical Greek II (spring)

Prerequisite(s): GREK 101 or equivalent. Students complete their study of the morphology and syntax of Classical Greek. We begin the semester with continuing exercises in grammar and translation, then gradually shift emphasis to reading unadapted Greek texts.

 An introduction to the ancient Greek language for beginners, equivalent in scope to the first year of Greek (101+102). Ideal for undergraduates or graduate students from Penn or elsewhere with some background in learning other languages, or who need to learn Greek rapidly. Students begin and complete an introduction to the morphology and syntax of Classical Greek. The course includes exercises in grammar, Greek composition, and translation from Greek to English.  Emphasis is placed upon developing the ability to read Greek with facility.

203. Intermediate Classical Greek: Prose (fall)

Prerequisite(s): GREK 102 or equivalent. You are now ready to begin reading real Greek! This course is an introduction to reading Greek prose, with an emphasis on fluent reading. We will read from works by one or more Greek prose authors, focusing on language and style.

Prerequisite(s): GREK 203 or equivalent. This course is an introduction to reading Greek poetry, with an emphasis on the characteristics that differentiate the grammar, diction, and sentence structure of poetry from that of prose.  The readings are primarily from Homer. Note: Completion of this course with C- or higher fulfills the Penn Foreign Language Requirement.

An introduction to reading Greek prose and poetry, with continuous readings from classical authors accompanied by grammar review and exercises. Equivalent in scope to second-year Greek (203+204). Ideal for undergraduates or graduate students from Penn or elsewhere who have completed the equivalent of one year Greek (e.g., GREK 112). We will read from works by one or more Greek prose authors, focusing on language and style, then from Greek poetry (primarily Homer), with an emphasis on the characteristics that differentiate the grammar, diction, and sentence structure of poetry from that of prose. Note: Completion of this course with C- or higher fulfills the Penn Foreign Language Requirement.

Prerequisite(s): GREK 204 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Close reading and discussion of a Latin author or a particular literary genre. Recent authors: Aristophanes, Plato, Sophocles. Topics vary each semester, and the course may be repeated for credit.

Independent Studies

Advanced undergraduates may arrange with a faculty member to do an independent study (LATN/GREK 399) on a chosen topic, with the written approval of the undergraduate chair. Students considering an independent study should meet with the undergraduate chair prior to the preregistration period in the preceding semester. A student admitted to the Honors Thesis program will typically enroll in 399 in the fall of the senior year, followed by CLST 398 in the spring (see separate guidelines on the Honors Thesis).

Graduate Courses

Advanced undergraduates may also seek admission to the Advanced Surveys (a large quantity of readings in poetry [LATN/GREK 530] and prose [540]) that are offered every year, and to the courses in Meter (502), Historical Grammar (503), and Prose Composition (530) that are generally offered in alternating years. Please see the undergraduate chair.