Accessibility statement

Latin Intermediate - MST00012M

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  • Department: Centre for Medieval Studies
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module is aimed at students who have studied basic Latin grammar, but have either not yet encountered complex syntax, or feel the need to revise grammatical topics such as indirect statements or the gerunds and gerundives. Over the course of two terms, students will be introduced to all major complex Latin grammatical constructions in order to enhance their ability to translate a wide range of texts with speed and accuracy. The module also aims to provide students with an introduction to the evolution of Latin morphology and syntax from Classical Antiquity to the Middle Ages, as well as a brief overview of Medieval Latin literature. To this end, students are expected to prepare a weekly translation for class and these passages are selected not only to illustrate the grammatical constructions studied in class, but also to provide students with an idea of different styles and genres of Latin literature that emerge during the Medieval period.

Module learning outcomes

  • be able to recognise and identify the different components of the Latin sentence
  • be able to read and translate, with the aid of a dictionary, texts of varying degrees of difficulty
  • feel confident in approaching a Latin text regardless of its linguistic register

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Open Examination 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Open Examination 100

Module feedback

Weekly verbal feedback on class translation exercises. One piece of formative assessment is set at the midpoint of the course, so that students can receive written feedback on their progress. Exam results are given within 25 working days.

Indicative reading

Please note that there is NO set textbook for this course. Students will be provided with a course booklet and weekly handouts that cover all the Latin texts and grammar topics considered on this module.

Students may find it helpful to own a Latin Primer, in order to follow up the grammar topics covered in class. The recommended Primer for this module is:

  • J. Morwood, A Latin Grammar (Oxford: OUP, 1999)

Students will also need to have access to a Latin dictionary and the following works are recommended for this course:

  • Collins Latin Dictionary and Grammar 2nd ed. (Glasgow: Collins, 2016)
  • C.T. Lewis, An Elementary Latin Dictionary (Oxford: OUP, 1963)
  • D.P. Simpson, Cassell’s Standard Latin Dictionary: Latin/English, English/Latin (London: John Wiley & Sons, 1959; rev. ed. 1977)

Please note, however, that there is no need to buy a dictionary, as a number of academic Latin dictionaries can be accessed online for free. Two particularly useful volumes are:

  • Lewis and Short, A Latin Dictionary (Oxford: OUP, 1879; reissued 1963)
  • R.E. Latham et al., Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources (Oxford: OUP, 1975-2013).

Both tomes are now available via: http://logeion.uchicago.edu


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.