Latin

A Place to Belong. A Person to Become.

Academics at Hanover:

Courses
Faculty

Rediscover a timeless language that shaped the modern world.

The Latin major at Hanover College invites you to immerse yourself in the language, literature, and culture of ancient Rome. From epic poetry and historical texts to philosophy and political thought, you’ll explore works that continue to influence today’s literature, law, science, and language.

A strong foundation in Latin enhances your ability to think critically, write clearly, and understand the roots of Western civilization. Whether you’re translating Virgil or analyzing Cicero, you’ll build skills that apply across disciplines—especially for careers in education, law, medicine, history, theology, and museum or archival work.

Hanover’s small class sizes mean close interaction with faculty, who are committed to helping you grow as a scholar and thinker. You’ll also have the opportunity to pair Latin with other programs like Classical Studies, History, or Philosophy, creating a well-rounded academic experience.

What do Latin majors do?

Graduates with a Latin major often go on to:

  • Teach Latin at the middle or high school level
  • Pursue graduate study in Classics, Law, or Theology
  • Work in museums, libraries, or cultural institutions
  • Enter careers in publishing, research, or public service

Courses

Number
Name
Units
Description

LAT 115 Introduction to Classical Latin I 1.00 An introduction to Classical Latin and to the culture of the Romans during the Republic and under the rule of the emperors. Students will develop skills related to the study of inflected languages while working to master aspects of language-learning that are necessary for a productive treatment of Latin texts. They will also be introduced to the cultural context of Roman literature, history, and philosophy and develop a familiarity with a selection of well-known authors and some of the most admired texts in the Latin corpus. Partially satisfies WL CCR.

LAT 116 Introduction to Classical Latin II 1.00 A continuation of Lat 115, completing the fundamentals of Latin grammar and leading to the first reading of unadapted Latin texts. Students will develop their reading comprehension skills in Latin and be introduced to certain basic types of reference works that Classicists typically use to aid in their reading. Emphasis is also given to the importance of the Latin language for the study of Roman civilization and history. Prerequisite: Lat 115. Partially satisfies WL CCR.

LAT 217 Intermediate Latin I 1.00 After a review of the grammar and forms, the course focuses on the skills and background knowledge necessary for translating, working through, and better understanding Latin in the original, both prose and poetry. This implies not just learning more grammar and vocabulary but also learning more about how to use basic tools: dictionaries, grammars, commentaries, etc. The larger aim of the course is to help students begin finding out for themselves what they want to learn about, and by means of, the texts they translate. Prerequisite: Lat 116. Partially satisfies WL CCR.

LAT 218 Intermediate Latin II 1.00 As they continue to develop the skills practiced in Lat 217, students will explore selections from Virgil’s Aeneid. Working on translation will help in appreciating Vergil’s poetic style. Reading both the selections in Latin and the full work in English will help in understanding the historical and literary context for the creation and reception of Vergil’s poetry. Prerequisite: Lat 217. Partially satisfies WL CCR and satisfies W2 ACE.

LAT 320 Medieval Latin 1.00 Survey of Latin language and literature from the 4th to the 14th century and of the cultures from which it arose. Prerequisite: Lat 217. Offered every third year. Partially satisfies WL CCR.

LAT 321 Latin Poetry 1.00 Study of the major authors and genres of Latin poetry. The texts read may vary, depending on student interests. Course can be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Lat 218. Satisfies WL CCR.

LAT 324 Latin Prose 1.00 Study of the major authors and genres of Latin prose. The texts read may depend on student interests, although normally oratory will alternate with historiography or prose fiction. Course can be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Lat 218. Partially satisfies WL CCR.

Faculty

Nick Baechle Professor of Classical Studies 812-866-6746 baechle@hanover.edu

Miriam Pittenger Professor of Classical Studies 812-866-7192 pittenger@hanover.edu

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