HST5124 – Latin for Medievalists I

This module is designed for complete beginners in Latin. It covers the following elements of grammar: nouns, plural, genders, prepositions, genitive, questions, vocatives, adjectives, basic conjugations and irregular verbs, and present & future tenses. In addition, it provides information on the history of Latin, its pronunciation at different times and its influence on English; and a discussion of a story set in a ninth-century monastery, which introduces some medieval vocabulary and usages. By the end of the module, you will be able to read simple short medieval texts.

This module is an excellent opportunity for students to broaden their linguistic and cultural experience. Over half the words in the English language have Latin roots, and learning Latin is an excellent basis for improving English grammar and vocabulary and for learning other languages (French, Spanish, Italian). Latin (particularly medieval Latin) is also frequently used in legal and government documents, as well as in the modern sciences.