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Arch of Titus, Rome

Course overview

The study of Latin is concerned with the language, literature and thought of ancient Rome. Through the reading of literature in the original Latin and the examination of key aspects of ancient history you will develop a thorough knowledge of the classical world and a critical approach to textual and material culture.

Is this the right course for you?

Trinity College is the only university in Ireland with a Chair in Latin, and it has a long and distinguished tradition in teaching and research in Classics. If you are interested in studying the language, the poetic imagination, and the historical value of a civilisation that shaped the Western world, you will enjoy this course.

Course content

Over the four years you will read texts in a wide variety of genres, including epic, comedy, love poetry and historiography. Whether you are continuing your language studies or taking Latin as a beginner, you will engage with ancient texts both as literature and as a gateway into culture and thought. Through the critical study of ancient history, myth and religion you will acquire a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on classical culture. For all of your language-based courses the groups will be small, stimulating lively discussion, analytic skills, and the development of independent thinking.

The Freshman years

In the Junior Freshman (first) year you will be introduced to the critical study of ancient history, culture and literature. The language-based courses you take depend on whether you have studied Latin before or are taking it up as a beginner; your choice of a topic in ancient history and culture depends on your TSM combination. In your Senior Freshman (second) year, you continue the study of Latin language, literature and history. Courses are taught by lectures and small-group seminars. There are six to eight contact hours per week.

• Greek and Roman history - an introductory survey of the Greek and/or Roman world, from the Greek Archaic age to the early Roman Empire. The course covers topics such as politics and power, Athenian democracy, the conquests of Alexander, the emergence of Rome as a major imperial power, colonisation, war and conflict.
• Mythology and religion - an introduction to the major myths and religions of the classical world using both literary and material evidence. The course also explores theories of myth and the functions of myth within society.
• Sources and evidence in history and archaeology - an introduction to the materials, methodologies and theories employed by historians and archaeologists.

Latin for beginners

• Elementary Latin - an intensive introduction to the Latin language. By the end of the year you will be ready to read original texts and your command of the language will be at the same level as those who have studied Latin before entering university.

Latin for non-beginners

• Latin authors - text-based courses introduce you to the critical reading of Latin literature through a close examination and contextualisation of Roman poetry and prose from the early republican to the imperial period. Texts include the comedies of Plautus and Terence, Cicero's famous speech On Behalf of Caelius, Virgil's Aeneid, the love poems of Catullus and Ovid, and the letters of Pliny the Younger.
• Latin language - this course allows you to practice your translation skills and to study the language of authors not covered in the text-based courses.

The Sophister years

In the Sophister (third and fourth) years you will progress to an in-depth study of topics in Roman literature, history and culture. You will refine your analysis of texts in their literary and cultural context through more specialised skills and methodologies, such as textual criticism, linguistics and literary theories. Topics may include Augustan poetry, Latin historians, Satire, Desire and the body. In your Junior Sophister (third) year you will continue to study ancient history, while separate language classes provide additional assistance in improving your fluency and accuracy in reading and interpretation. In the Senior Sophister (fourth) year you will also study a special topic in Classical culture and write a thesis on a subject of your choice. The thesis is an opportunity to do research which will allow you to develop independent ideas and acquire critical skills while investigating in great depth an area that particularly interests you.

Assessment

A combination of end-of-year examination and continuous assessment (e.g. essays, unseen translations and other language tests, textual commentaries, seminar presentations) is used, and a thesis is written in the final year.

Study abroad

Trinity College has strong links with many Classics departments abroad, including active participation in the Erasmus exchange programme with universities in France, Switzerland and Cyprus. This allows students the option of spending their Senior Freshman (second) year abroad.

Career opportunities

Recent graduates are working in many fields including art restoration, banking and accountancy, business, civil service, computers, journalism and broadcasting, law, librarianship, publishing, teaching and theatre.

Further information

www.tcd.ie/Classics
E-mail: classics@tcd.ie
Tel: +353 1 896 1208