Scroll and Tablet Blog

Posted on September 17th, 2023 in by Elizabeth W. Thill

Latin is not only the language of the Ancient Romans, but the language of centuries of scholarship, both scientific and religious. Cicero, Ovid, and Julius Caesar spoke Latin; Copernicus and St. Augustine wrote it; Jefferson, Hamilton, and Tolkien read it. As the parent language of 5 modern languages (including Spanish, French, and Italian) and the root language over 30% of English words, Latin teaches vocabulary and grammar skills that can facilitate further language acquisition, especially in medical and scientific fields. Curious to learn more? Check out Julius Caesar Explains: Why Study Latin.

In our classes you will learn the basics of Latin vocabulary and grammar with an eye to developing direct reading comprehension. You will also learn about Ancient Roman society, literature, religion, and culture. Finally, our Latin courses can be applied towards World Language and GEC Cultural Understanding requirements.

Click on the course titles below to learn more! Or visit Learning Latin FAQ for more information.


CLAS-L 131 Beginning Latin I

  • 4 credits
  • all are welcome: no previous knowledge of Latin required

CLAS-L 132 Beginning Latin II

  • 4 credits
  • previous experience (equivalent to one semester) in Latin is necessary for success