Postgraduate Studies

Medieval Latin

Module Code:

MLAT1120

When taught:

n/a

Credit points:

20

Method of Assessment:

25% by a translation test; 25% by a translation project using a piece of Latin chosen by you; 50% by a 2-hour examination

Teaching Methods:

Module pack (distance students)

Availability

Distance students only

Lecturer

David Noy

Contact hours:

N/A

Syllabus:    

Latin was a living language for many centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire in Western Europe. It was used for literature, record-keeping and oral communication by people for whom it was a second language. Until the 16th century, they did not usually pretend that they were Julius Caesar, but used an evolving form of Latin which was heavily influenced by their own first language. On the whole, this sort of Latin is simpler than the Latin of the Roman Empire, but it has its own peculiarities, and a substantially different vocabulary. There is a vast quantity of material written in Medieval Latin which, even if the Latin text has been printed, has never been translated into English, so it is only accessible to you if you can read it in its original form.   The module concentrates on documentary Latin from England and Wales, as used for court rolls, wills, government records, etc., but some time will be spent looking at a piece of literature which reflects students' interests.  You will be asked to translate a piece of Latin of your own choice for the Translation Project.

Learning outcomes:  

• To understand the differences between Medieval and Classical Latin.
• To understand the grammar and syntax of Medieval Latin.
• To be able to translate printed Medieval Latin texts, with the aid of reference material and dictionaries.

Transferable and other skills involved:  

• The ability to translate medieval documents which have no published translation.
• An understanding of how Latin evolved to meet new requirements.
• The development of analytical and problem-solving skills in the process of translation.

Main recommended texts:  

Gooder, E. A. (1978), Latin for Local History, 2nd edition, Longman,. ISBN 0-582-48728-5. 

Evaluation (including student evaluation):  

Students will be asked to complete a questionnaire at the end of the module. This will be used by the Department in its annual review of all its teaching to help evaluate the module’s success. The external examiner will also have the opportunity to make comments and results of the questionnaires will be discussed in the SSCC.