No knowledge of the Latin language is required for this class. We’ll examine English words and trace their Latin origins -- words like “amateur,” “tenacious,” “astronaut,” “recalcitrant” -- all having interesting derivations.  Don’t be a persona non grata -- we’ll cover phrases, mottos and abbreviations coming from Latin. Of course we’ll discuss “i. e.” and “e. g.” -- frequently misused. And what about all the (sic)’s used in newspapers and Google searches? What are the four quotable quotes uttered by Caesar? What’s the explanation of the Ides of March? What was the relationship between the fall of Troy and the founding of Rome?  All questions will be answered. The course finishes with excerpts and explanatory material from three classics: “Ben Hur,” “Cleopatra” and “Spartacus.”

Repeat from Fall 2023