Concordia Restarts Latin Course Offerings

by Jayme Lowe

For the first time in many years, Latin is being offered as a course at Concordia. Taught by Dr. Gabriel Haley, students can now take up to two semesters of instruction in classical Latin.

While Latin had been offered at CUNE previously, including through independent studies taught by Dr. Phillips, it had not been offered as a consistent, face-to-face class for quite some time. The main reason for reintegrating this course was to eventually be able to offer the opportunity for Concordia students to minor in Classical Studies. By providing Latin I, and, next semester, Latin II, in combination with other classes already available in Concordia’s curriculum such as World Literature I and Roman Civilization, students can focus more explicitly on Classical literature and history.

Currently there are 10 students in the class, which was the cap size. A variety of majors are represented, including theology and history. “It’s very fun to teach for me because it’s very technical and nuts and bolts,” Haley said in an interview. Rather than learning about the history and literature that features Latin, the class is about actually learning classical Latin so that the students can hopefully begin to read those Classical texts for themselves. Some study of Roman culture is included in order to contextualize what the students are learning.

Dr. Haley also pointed out that he is teaching classical Latin, not the ecclesiastical Latin that we may be familiar with from its use in songs or church settings. There are distinct differences in pronunciation between the two.

Haley was a Classics major as well as an English major in college, and took four years of Latin courses. He was also required to pass Latin proficiency tests in order to get into the Medieval Studies program at the University of Virginia. “[Latin] is something that I’ve worked with, and I’m excited about the chance to keep sharp,” Haley said. He also said that he has been teaching Latin to his 8-year-old daughter.

In terms of when the course is offered, Latin I will continue to be offered in the spring, with Latin II being in the fall, so that students don’t have to take Latin I in their first semester at Concordia, according to Haley.

For more information, talk to Dr. Haley or to the registrar.