Latin for Research: Intermediate level intense short course
This intense short course is aimed at postgraduate students and researchers with an intermediate knowledge of Latin who seek to improve their language skills for academic purposes. In each session, we cover a grammatical topic and read original Latin texts from a variety of contexts. The main aim of the course is to facilitate comprehension and equip students with tools to be able to work with Latin texts independently after the end of the course. The course will run for five days, 15-19th April 2024, 15:00-16:30 UK time. All classes will be taught virtually on Teams. To apply, please fill in a short form here. (This particular course is second on the list of drop-down options). Deadline for applications, noon on Thursday 21st March 2024.
If you’re not sure whether the intermediate level is right for you, do check the short assessment page HERE .
A manuscript of Boccaccio's De mulieribus claris in the Bibliothèque nationale de France
Course Outline and Schedule
Participants are expected to do a considerable amount of work between classes (2-3 hours per day). This work consists of covering grammatical material and translating a Latin passage which we then discuss in class. Materials for preparation are provided by the tutor. Some prior knowledge of Latin is therefore essential; if you are unsure whether this course is suitable for you, refer to this guide here. If you are still in doubt, email the course tutor, Alex Tadel, at alex.tadel@warwick.ac.uk.
Lesson 1 (15 April, 15:00 - 16:30 UK time)
Preparation:
- Revise noun and adjective declensions and verb conjugations in the indicative
Lesson:
- Translate a passage from the Vulgate Bible
- Active and passive
Lesson 2 (16 April, 15:00 - 16:30 UK time)
Preparation:
- Revise accusative with infinitive
Lesson:
- Translate a passage from Petrarca's Epistolae familiares
- Nominative with accusative
Lesson 3 (17 April, 15:00 - 16:30 UK time)
Preparation:
- Revise participles
Lesson:
- Translate a passage from Enea Silvio Piccolomini's Historia de duobus amantibus
- Gerunds and gerundives
Lesson 4 (18 April, 15:00 - 16:30 UK time)
Preparation:
- Revise subjunctive verb forms
- Translate a passage from The Passion of Perpetua
Lesson:
- Discuss material prepared beforehand
- Dependent clauses
Lesson 5 (19 April, 15:00 - 16:30 UK time)
Preparation:
- Revise everything we have covered and prepare any questions you may have
- Translate a passage from Isotta Nogarola's Defence of Eve
Lesson:
- Discuss material prepared beforehand
- An introduction to medieval and early modern Latinity and palaeography
- Transcribe and translate a passage from a manuscript source
Participants will pay £200 for the course. Those whose institution belongs to the Newberry Library Consortium may be eligible to receive CRS Consortium Grants to cover the cost of the course. (Contact your local consortium representative for details.) Warwick PhD Students will not have to pay the course fees.
Participants accepted onto the 2023-24 course, should familiarise themselves with the applicable Terms & Conditions, here.