This is the first version of the 2024–25 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
A minor in Latin is an excellent way to pursue the study of Latin beyond the General Education World Languages courses and to explore an interest in reading famous authors and philosophers (Ovid, Cicero, and others) in their native language.
Learning Outcomes
Students are expected to demonstrate:
- the ability to read Latin at an intermediate to advanced level;
- knowledge of major literary works and written sources from the Roman world; and
- understanding of the impact that the political, intellectual, and social environments of the people from ancient Rome have on modern cultures.
The undergraduate minor in Latin requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in Latin courses (prefix CLSL), including at least 12 s.h. in advanced courses numbered 2000 and above taken at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all courses for the minor and in all UI courses for the minor. Coursework in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass.
A maximum of 6 s.h. of work for another University of Iowa major, minor, or certificate and up to 3 s.h. of lower-level transfer credit may be counted toward the minor.
Students who earn the minor in Latin may not earn the BA or minor in classical languages; students who are interested in a minor in Greek at the same time as the minor in Latin should consider the minor in classical languages instead.
The sequence CLSL:2001 World of Cicero and CLSL:2002 Golden Age of Roman Poetry, and Department of Classics courses numbered 3000 or above are considered advanced for the minor. Students may substitute a maximum of 3 s.h. for the Latin requirement with one of the relevant courses numbered 3000 or above taught in English from the following.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CLSA:3240/ANTH:3277 | Roman Archaeology | 3 |
| CLSA:3514 | Roman Religion and Society | 3 |
| CLSA:3742/WRIT:3742 | Word Power: Building English Vocabulary | 3 |
| CLSA:3980 | Teaching in the Classics | 1,3 |
| ARTH:3350/CLSA:3232 | Art of Early Rome: Patrons and Politics | 3 |
| ARTH:3360/CLSA:3233 | Art of the Ancient Roman Empire | 3 |
| ARTH:3370/CLSA:3234 | Life and Death in Ancient Pompeii | 3 |
| ENGL:3288/CLSA:3288 | Shakespeare's Romans: The Ancient World Meets the Elizabethan Stage | arr. |
| HIST:3448/CLSA:3148 | Barbarians and the Fall of Rome | 3 |
| HIST:4400/CLSA:4400 | The Roman Empire | 3 |
| HIST:4406/CLSA:4106 | Warfare in Ancient Mediterranean Society | 3 |
| TRNS:3179/CLSA:3979/ENGL:3850 | Undergraduate Translation Workshop | 3 |
Students who enter the university with prior competence in introductory Latin may substitute 3 s.h. of lower-level Latin courses with CLSA:1020 Love and Glory: The Literature of Rome. Students who have taken high school Latin should consult the classical languages advisor.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Latin, Minor
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| Students must complete a minimum of 15 s.h. in Latin courses (prefix CLSL), including at least 12 s.h. in advanced courses numbered 2000 or above taken at the University of Iowa. One advanced course in CLSA numbered 3000 or above may be counted toward the minor; see General Catalog for list of approved courses. | ||
| A maximum of 6 s.h. of work for another University of Iowa major, minor, or certificate and up to 3 s.h. of lower-level transfer credit may be counted toward the Latin minor. | ||
| Coursework in the Latin minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CLSL:1001 | Elementary Latin I a, b | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| CLSL:1002 | Elementary Latin II a | 5 |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CLSL:2001 | World of Cicero | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| CLSL:2002 | Golden Age of Roman Poetry | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Minor: Latin elective (prefix CLSL) numbered 3000 or above or relevant course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| Minor: Latin elective (prefix CLSL) numbered 3000 or above or other relevant course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
- a
- Language level placement will be determined by placement exam score and/or oral interview. Students who place into the 3rd semester level of the language will begin coursework at that level and will not be required to take semesters 1-2 of the language.
- b
- This course is a prerequisite for the required minor courses.
- c
- Students may substitute a maximum of 3 s.h for the Latin requirement with one relevant advanced-level course taught in English. See General Catalog or contact academic advisor for course list.