Language Sequence

Learning classical and contemporary languages used to be–and still should be–an essential component of any academic program.

Greek
Latin
French

Language Sequence

Greek 1 (Grammar)

Fall of Freshman Year

Students learn the Greek alphabet, basic grammar and vocabulary, how to use dictionaries and similar aids to study, etc.

Greek 2 (Readings)

Spring of Freshman Year

Students learn some biblical and some classical Greek to enrich their study of Homer and and the Greek dramatists, Plato and Aristotle, sacred scripture and the eastern church fathers.

Latin 1 (Grammar)

Fall of Sophomore Year

As in Greek 1, students learn basic grammar and vocabulary, how to use dictionaries and similar aids to study, etc. Because students take this course alongside rhetoric in the liberal arts sequence, they also meet Cicero during this semester.

Latin 2 (Patristic)

Spring of Sophomore Year

Students learn increasingly advanced grammar and begin reading and translating selections from an ever-broadening range of Latin authors. Because students take this course alongside Humanities Seminar 4 (New Testament and Early Christianity), this course focuses on texts relevant to that course.

Latin 3 (Classical)

Fall of Junior Year

Two years after reading Virgil’s Aeneid in the humanities sequence, in this course students will focus on Virgil’s Georgics and selections from his Aeneid but also meet other Classical authors such as Cicero, whom they will also be reading in the concurrent Humanities Seminar 5.

Latin 4 (Medieval)

Spring of Junior Year

In this course, taken alongside Humanities Seminar 6, students focus on medieval Latin by reading authors such as St. Augustine, St. Severinus Boethius, and St. Thomas Aquinas.

French 1 (Grammar)

Fall of Senior Year

This course focuses on reading knowledge. As such, students will quickly learn enough grammar and vocabulary to read basic French and compare French and to explore the etymological connections between French and English.

French 2 (Readings)

Spring of Senior Year

In this course, taken alongside Humanities Seminar 8, students will read selections from a variety of modern French authors such as Rousseau and Simone Weil.