ObjectivesThe course aims to: -develop and encourage students' interest in the languages, literature and culture of the classical world, by providing a broadly based and challenging curriculum including course-units that are innovative and stimulating, informed by the research expertise of the teaching staff, and examined by a range of methods of assessment; -an opportunity to study the language, literature and culture of both societies; -advise and suggest course units which best exploit the interactions between the subjects of Latin and Italian; -enable students to read an ever-growing range of ancient authors in the original, with accuracy, fluency and enjoyment; -provide students with progressive language courses in Latin, starting from elementary, intermediate or advanced level, consolidating any existing knowledge of the language(s) and developing particularly reading knowledge but also some active competence and other language-based and language-related skills; -train students in the methods, techniques and approaches necessary for the critical study of Latin literature, based on extensive reading of classical texts, studied both in the original language(s) and in translation; help students to work independently and to organise effectively their own schedules of personal study; -produce graduates with the transferable cognitive skills necessary to equip them for employment, postgraduate study, or further training.
Academic titleBA Latin and Italian
Course descriptionCourse description
Joint honours Latin and Italian is based on the study of the language, literature and culture of both societies. Each language is studied in all three years: where appropriate, texts for literary and historical course units are read in the original language. Latin may be taken by complete beginners (programme 2) as well as by post A-level students (programme 1). This degree programme includes a year spent in Italy: where possible, this includes enrolment on classical courses at an Italian University. There is a wide range of styles of teaching, including lectures, seminars, small-group tutorials and virtual seminars via the web
Course content for year 1
In your first year, you devote an equal amount of time to each subject. In Latin you will study courses in Latin language, Latin literature, and either a further Latin literature unit or a unit in Greek language or literature. In Italian you will be allocated to a language group according to your know ledge of Italian prior to entry (language classes are streamed until the final year). In the first year beginners will have up to five hours per week for language study comprising grammar instruction, listening comprehension and oral exercises. Thereafter, and at all other levels, the language component of the course includes three contact hours per week. Italian non-language courses cover a number of linguistic, literary, historical and cultural topics and normally involve up to two contact hours per week. You will normally find that you have to spend more than twice that amount of time in private study, preparing for classes and undertaking set assignments.
Course content for year 2
In your second year, you can maintain an equal weighting between your two subjects or devote more time to one subject. You will take further Latin courses covering literature and language as well as two courses from those on offer in Italian Studies (one of these will be a core language course at a more advanced level). The final two courses can be selected from either subject and these optional course units available in your second year are more numerous and specialised than before.
Course content for year 3
Your third year of study is spent abroad under approved conditions.
In your final year, you complete your study of Latin language with a final course unit as well as taking a Latin literature course. In Italian you again study a core language course (centred on translation, composition and oral work involving discussion of texts, debate and presentations) and you now have the opportunity to choose from a very wide range of more specialised optional courses.
Finally, you will write a thesis on a classical subject of your choice - the thesis is your chance to carry out your own independent study of the classical past. You may choose to write a double-unit thesis (of 10-12,000 words).
Career opportunities
A classical degree (especially one including a language element) opens many doors and is highly prized by employers. We see our graduates take up jobs in museum or gallery management, publishing, the media, the Civil Service, industry, banking, accountancy, retail management and law, as well as teaching.