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Why Study Latin?
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Latin is a hugely stimulating and enjoyable subject at AS, stretching lots of different parts of your brain. It is multi-disciplinary, combining Language and Literature, and appeals to all sorts of students. The Classics Department prides itself on gaining good results but also teaching students about the Ancient World beyond the syllabus. Employers and universities regard Latin very highly because it teaches you to think logically, solve problems and write coherently.
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Will I enjoy it?
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ita vero! We have had 100% retention rate from AS to A2 for the past two years. You will read some of the World’s greatest Literature in the original language - an exhilarating experience. To enjoy AS Latin, you should like one or more of the following: variety, challenges, logical analysis and problem solving, discussion, great Literature and learning about other cultures, however eccentric they might be - stuffed dormice, anyone? Scientists and Arts students alike will love AS Latin.
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Course Content
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AS: We prepare you for an unseen translation paper (Latin into English) and go over all the basic grammar that you might be worried about. The set texts for 2007 are “Pro Milone” by Cicero, a defence speech for a man accused of murder most foul, and Virgil “Aeneid X”, a real tear jerker about the untimely death of a young warrior.
A2: Horace’s beautiful Odes, Tacitus’ scandalous histories, Ovid’s saucy jokes and Livy’s grandiose histories are popular choices with the examiners. We prepare you either for Comprehension or Prose Composition, depending on the composition and preferences of the group. Prose composition (translation into Latin) is actually really satisfying and surprisingly straightforward once you get over the initial hurdle. It is incredibly helpful for grammar.
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Assessment
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AS: 3 x 1 hour papers, testing Language and Literature
A2: 1 x 1 hour 45 minutes paper, 1 x 1 hour 30 minutes paper and 1 x 1 hour 15 minutes paper, testing Language and Literature
Coursework Requirements: None. See www.ocr.org and follow the links for AS/A2 Classics and then Latin if you want more details about the examination structure and specifications.
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Tell me more…
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• Latin is useful for all sorts of degree and career aspirations. Classicists enter into many fields after university and have one of the lowest unemployment rates for Arts students. They become bankers, lawyers, civil servants, diplomats, journalists, politicians, even teachers.
• You do NOT have to want to do Classics at university to take AS Latin. We welcome aspiring medics, lawyers, linguists, engineers, you name it.
• Jo-Ann Deak, who spoke recently at school about the brain and women, gave Latin the thumbs up as it uses so many different skills. If you want to keep all your grey cells working properly, do Latin. Business leaders would also support the idea of doing what is seen as a “hard” subject.
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And to end with some quotes about Latin:
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• Quid quid latine dictum sit, altum viditur
Anything said in Latin sounds profound
• Vice-President Dan Quayle once said, "I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have was that I didn't study Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people.” (and not make stupid comments in front of journalists!)
• Finally, don’t try this one on us …“canis meus id comedit.” (My dog ate it.)
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