Department of Classical StudiesNOTE: This page uses the new 4-digit numbers. For correlations with old 3-digit numbers, see here.
0100. Elementary Latin I (fall)
An introduction to the Latin language for beginners. Students begin learning grammar and vocabulary, with practical exercises in reading in writing. By the end of the course students will be able to read and analyze simple Latin texts, including selected Roman inscriptions in the Penn Museum.
0200. Elementary Latin II (spring)
Prerequisite(s): LATN 0100 or equivalent. Completes the introduction to the Latin language begun in 0100. By the end of the course students will have a complete working knowledge of Latin grammar, a growing vocabulary, and experience in reading Julius Caesar’s account of the invasion of Britain.
0300. Intermediate Latin Prose (fall)
Prerequisite(s): LATN 0200 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.
0400. Intermediate Latin Poetry (spring)
Prerequisite(s): LATN 0300 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 0400 with C- or higher fulfills Penn’s Foreign Language Requirement.
3000-level. Topics in Latin Literature (fall and spring)
Prerequisite(s): Latin 0400 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 and topics: Caesar, Catullus Horace, Lucan, Ovid, Perpetua, Petronius, Phaedrus, Plautus, Propertius, Seneca, Tacitus, Virgil; Civil War, Conversion Tales, Letters of Complaint, The Roman Novel, Martyr Narratives. 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 3999) 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 Senior Research Paper program will typically enroll in CLST 4998 in the fall of the senior year (see separate guidelines on the Senior Research Paper).
Graduate Courses
Advanced undergraduates may also seek admission to graduate-level LATN 5801 Advanced Latin Language and Composition and the graduate survey course LATN 6610 Reading Latin; as well as to other graduate seminars, with permission. Please see the undergraduate chair.