Undergraduate Language Study

Undergraduate Language Study

Every year, several levels of Ancient Greek and Latin courses are offered through the Classics Department under L09 and L10 course numbers, respectively. Both majors and non-majors are welcome in all language courses, and various combinations of these courses will fulfill the LC requirement of the IQ curriculum.

Greek

Courses

Students who arrive at Washington University having already studied some Greek should contact the instructor of 101D-102D to discuss proper placement. A placement exam for Greek is available from William Bubelis, the director of undergraduate studies, Catherine Keane, the department chair, or Amelia Goldsby, the department administrator at classics@wustl.edu.

  • L09 Greek 101D (Fall) and 102D (Spring) constitute the introductory course in Ancient Greek grammar and syntax.

  • L09 Greek 317C (Fall) and 318C (Spring) are the follow-up courses to 101D-102D and center around readings from unmodified ancient prose and verse texts respectively, with integrated grammar review.

  • L09 Greek 190D (Spring) and 210 (Fall) are an intensive introductory sequence, an alternative to the regular fall-spring sequence that allows students to begin studying Greek in spring. Because these courses meet five days a week and move fairly quickly, they cover three semesters' worth of the regular sequence in two semesters: i.e., the introductory grammar and syntax *and* the material encountered in Greek 317C. These students can then enter Greek 318C along with the students from the regular sequence.

  • L09 Greek courses at the 400 level are advanced seminars involving substantial readings in Greek, readings from modern scholarship, and research projects.

  • Less regularly, L09 Greek 301 (The New Testament in Context) is offered; interested students should discuss prerequisites with the instructor.

Latin

Placement Exam

Any incoming student with a background in Latin who intends to continue studying the language at Washington University should first take the online Latin Placement Exam. The objects of this exam are to introduce new students to the expectations of the Latin program at Washington University and to group together students with similar abilities. Therefore, previous coursework and/or completion of the AP Latin exam are not sufficient to determine placement. The Placement Exam can be taken at any time of year, but anyone who takes it outside of the usual placement season (mid- to late summer) should be sure to notify the Classics department administrator that he/she has done so.

Courses

In general, all students who do not (or do not yet) have an advisor in the classics department are encouraged to discuss their course options at any stage with the classics department's Latin placement advisor, chair, director of undergraduate studies, and/or any of the current Latin instructors.

  • L10 Latin 101D (Fall) and 102D (Spring) constitute the introductory course in Latin grammar and syntax. With a sufficient score on the Placement Exam, incoming students with Latin may place out of this level.
  • L10 Latin 301 (Fall) and 3161 (Spring) introduce the student to reading modified and unmodified ancient texts alongside extensive grammar review. With a sufficient score on the Placement Exam, incoming students with Latin may place out of this level; a student who completes 101D-102D with grade of B+ or better can also be placed out of this level.
    • Note: L10 301 and 3161 may be taken in either order, and a student who places into this level should be able to begin study in Fall or Spring equally comfortably. A student enrolled in either course must consult his/her instructor before choosing the next course.
  • L10 Latin 3171 (Fall) and 3181 (Spring) center around readings from unmodified ancient texts with selective grammar review. Incoming students with Latin may place into this level (but no higher) with a sufficient score on the Placement Exam. Students who complete 101D-102D with grade of B+ or better can also enroll.
    • Note: These two courses may be taken in either order. A student who places into this level should be able to begin study in Fall or Spring equally comfortably, but must complete both courses in order to move to the 400 level.
  • L10 Latin courses at the 400 level are advanced seminars involving substantial readings in Latin, readings from modern scholarship, and research projects.
    • Note: No student should enroll in a 400-level course without having completed both 3171 and 3181. Exceptions (e.g. for transfer students with equivalent prerequisites) will be consi