An introduction to Cicero’s philosophy

Fundamenta philosophiae Ciceronis tractabimus, locos diversos de philosophia ethica (De Finibus), politica (De Re publica, De Legibus), metaphysica (De Divinatione, De Natura Deorum, De Fato), de cognoscendi modis (Academica) legendo. In prima parte scholae discipuli linguam ipsam loquendique facultatem exercebunt (quis fuerit Cicero, quomodo animum et corpus describere possimus, disputationes philosophicae, e.g. virtusne ad vitam bene beateque agendam sufficiat necne et alia eiusdem generis), in altera vero facultatem textus intellegendi et interpretandi exercebimus.

This course offers students who already have a sound grasp of Latin the opportunity to improve their ability to interpret Latin philosophical texts. We will read extracts from Cicero’s works on ethics (De Finibus), politics (De Re publica, De Legibus), epistemology (Academica), and metaphysics (De Divinatione, De Natura Deorum, De Fato). In the first part of each class, students will mostly practise speaking in Latin, learning to express complex sentences and to formulate philosophical hypothesis and critiques. During the second part, they will read and discuss extracts from the texts.
 

Literary and scholarly Latin

Qui sermones Latinos serere possunt, ii licet facile de rebus cotidianis, difficulter tamen de rebus litteraris ac scholasticis loqui valent. Cui tristi discipulorum condicioni ut medeamur has scholas proponimus ad adipiscendam loquendi de litteris rebusque scholasticis facultatem. Discipuli assiduā colloquiorum lectione quae de scholasticis argumentis sunt conscripta per totum trimestre exercitati, et amplam doctrinam et facultatem Latine loquendi egregiam sibi comparabunt.

However well we speak Latin, discussing literary and academic topics can be difficult compared to ordinary conversation. We’ve designed this class to address that troublesome discrepancy. Throughout the term students will be reading dialogues that deal with scholarly themes; thus they will learn a substantial amount at the same time as acquiring excellent Latin-speaking skills.
 

Plautus’s Amphitryo

Discipulis qui iam fere omnia linguae praecepta Familiā Romanā (vel sim.) usi didicerunt, sed ex limpido auctorum Latinorum fonte nondum biberunt, hunc cursum veluti pontem ac transitum ad auctores veros legendos proponimus, ubi salsam Plauti comoediam nomine Amphitryonem perscrutemur, grammatica et latinitatis propria ante oculos imprimis ponentes.

If you’ve largely covered the fundamentals of Latin grammar and syntax, perhaps by using Familia Romana, but have yet to sample the pure waters of original Latin authors, this course is for you. Designed to bridge the gap between the two, it will see you studying Plautus's comedy Amphitryo, enjoying the wit and humour while focusing first and foremost on grammar and Latinity.

Roman authors on science, art, and power

Fictane sit an vera illa pervulgata opinio quam quidam tradunt, Romanos usui, Graecos vero rationi esse deditos. Ad quodque capitulum binae vel trinae tribuentur lectiones.

We will consider how much truth there is in the commonly held view that the Romans focused on the practical arts whereas the ancient Greeks dedicated themselves to theory and reason. Each topic will be explored through several readings from various authors, outlined below:

1. The Origins of the Arts Unde originem duxerint artes

2. Land economy De terra

3. Family Medicine Medicina paterfamilias

4. Architecture and engineering Vitruvius, architectus et machinator

5. Philosophy and natural science Philosophi et scientiarum gradus

6. The Natural World Historia naturalis

7. Art and Power Ars et potestas

An introduction to Seneca’s philosophy

Si Latinum sermonem intelligere potestis atque valetis breves sententias proferre, hoc seminarium vobis convenit. Legetis scripta Senecae ita ut non modo placita eius discatis, sed etiam de philosophia loquamini. Consilium seminarii est exercere facultatem legendi, scribendi, et loquendi Latine dum philosophiam tractamus.
Ad singulas scholas accipietis scripta Latine adnotata et locutiones. Post scholas vobis proponetur exercitium de arte scribendi ut extra scholas in scribendo vos exerceatis et vobis mittetur compendium grammaticae et vocabulorum textus lecti. Ad proximas scholas proponetur argumentum disputandum.
Scribite, loquimini, et philosophamini Latine!

If you can understand Latin when you hear it spoken, and are able to speak short sentences yourself, this seminar is right for you. Reading , learning about his ideas, and discussing the philosophical content, you will practise reading, writing, and speaking Latin at the same time as exercising your philosophical muscles. For each class you will receive an annotated Latin text along with a list of useful idiomatic Latin phrases. Afterwards you will be offered a writing exercise to do between classes, a summary of the grammar and vocabulary encountered in the text you have read, and the argument to be discussed in the next class. Join us to write, speak, and philosophise in Latin!