Objectives
The 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; -advise and suggest course units which best exploit the interactions between the subjects of Latin and Linguistics; -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.
Course description
Course description
Joint honours Latin and Linguistics is based on the study of Latin language and literature in each of the three years of study, pursued in parallel with analytical study of the structures and theories of language, including the nature of language and models of its structure. Latin may be taken by complete beginners (course 2) as well as by post A-level students (course 1). Students may also take specialist courses in ancient history, philosophy, art and archaeology. 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
Please note that reference to modules is intended to be a guide only - course content or availability may change slightly as we aim to improve and update our courses yearly.
In your first year you will study the two subject areas equally. 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 Linguistics you learn to look at language in a new way. The core course-units are designed to equip you with the skills necessary for describing and analysing the sounds, meanings and structures of language. You will study topics ranging from grammar to semantics, from phonetics to discourse analysis. Finally, you will have the opportunity to take a language course.
Course content for year 2
Please note that reference to modules is intended to be a guide only - course content or availability may change slightly as we aim to improve and update our courses yearly.
In the second year you can continue to study the two areas equally or weight your studies toward your preferred subject. You will take further Latin courses covering literature and language. In Linguistics the emphasis switches to linguistic theories. You will build on your new analytical skills by considering ideas about the nature of language and models of its structure. You will study units in Syntactic Theory, Phonology, Typology and Grammatical Semantics as well as a number of specialised course-units of your choice. Again, you can opt to study a modern language course unit, as well as two courses from those on offer in the School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures. The final two courses can be selected from either School.
Course content for year 3
Please note that reference to modules is intended to be a guide only - course content or availability may change slightly as we aim to improve and update our courses yearly.
In your third year you complete your study of Latin language with a final course unit as well as taking a Latin literature course. In Linguistics you can develop interests in particular areas of the subject as we offer a very wide range of specialist options including sociolinguistics, linguistic typology, language contact, language change, creole linguistics, experimental phonetics, grammatical theory, phonology, semantics and pragmatics. In addition we offer courses in the structure and description of a wide range of the world's languages and language families as well as course units devoted to general learning skills, research skills and empirical fieldwork methodology.
In addition, we offer courses in the structure and description of a wide range of the world's languages and language families as well as course units devoted to general learning skills, research skills, and empirical fieldwork methodology. You will also have the option of writing a dissertation where you will explore a particular topic in detail and write an extended piece of work around the subject.
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.
