June 8 - July 14, 2019
Thank you for expressing interest in Living Latin in Rome 2019, a program run by the Paideia Institute for Humanistic Study. We hope that you will join us in the Eternal City as part of a group of enthusiastic students of the Latin language.
Please read these application guidelines thoroughly, then fill out the application and entrance examination linked at the bottom of this page.
Course Description
Latin is the cornerstone language of Western civilization. Over the millennia it has been the language of emperors, popes, scholars, poets, peasants, and soldiers. But the vitality and range which Latin has developed over the course of its long, layered history sometimes fails to come through in the traditional classroom setting. Too often, Latin is treated as a grammatical exercise to be dissected and translated instead of as a language to be heard, spoken, written, and read. This course treats Latin as a living language. By combining daily readings and rigorous grammar and syntax review with active oral production in situ in Rome, this course hopes to make its students fall in love with Latin and make it their own.
This intensive, five-week Latin language course has two purposes: to provide a continuous period of Latin study and to introduce students to the most important ancient sites of Rome and its surrounding areas. The course meets 5 days a week for 4 hours a day (divided into two sessions) and combines traditional classroom instruction with the active use of Latin as a living language. In the afternoon sessions, students meet in the classroom to read through a well-known passage from Latin literature connected with an ancient Roman site. The following morning session uses the city as a classroom. Students visit the site referenced in the previous day’s reading and work with the instructors in small groups, using Latin actively to interact with each other and the site they are visiting. Grammar, vocabulary, and syntax seen in course readings are reinforced and practiced in a memorable and authentic setting. Each Saturday there is a trip to an ancient site outside of the city with associated readings. Weekly memorization and composition exercises are assigned. Sundays are free for relaxing and exploring Rome.
Admission
This course will draw students of diverse backgrounds and interests. The minimum requirement for participation is a thorough knowledge of the basics of Latin grammar and a firm dedication to improving one’s Latin language skills. More advanced undergraduates, high school teachers, and graduate students in related fields such as archaeology, history, medieval studies, and religious studies will also find themselves challenged and engaged. The ideal group will be varied and complementary, able to help one another learn by playing to each other’s talents and interests. All applications for admission and letters of recommendation must be received by Thursday February 21, 2019 at 5pm EST. Letters of recommendation should be sent by your recommender directly to info@paideia-institute.org.
Accommodation
The Paideia Institute arranges housing in private apartments accessible to the school by public transportation. Apartments include shared bedrooms and kitchens and normally house up to four students. Photos of a typical apartment are available on our website.
Tuition and Costs
The cost of the course is $3850. It must be paid in full by May 1, 2019. This cost includes tuition, housing, the costs of all trips, museum and site admissions, transportation to and from the airport, a welcome and farewell dinner, and some special meals on trips outside Rome.
Airfare, daily expenses for meals, and spending money are not included in the cost of tuition. The cost of life in Rome can vary greatly depending on one’s tastes, but at the very least we recommend that students budget €20/day for food. Please consider the exchange rate when planning your budget.
Deposit and Payment Schedule
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required of all participants by April 6, 2019. Our acknowledgment of receipt of this deposit guarantees the student a post in the course. The remaining $3350 is due by May 1, 2019.
Travel
Immediately upon notification of admission, students should purchase their airline tickets to arrive in Rome’s Fiumicino Airport on June 8, 2019. The course ends July 14 and housing contracts end on July 14. Those wishing to remain in Rome beyond this date should make their own arrangements for accommodation after that date. Please note that the Paideia Institute can provide transportation to and from the airport on designated arrival and departure dates.
If you do not have a valid passport, get one immediately. This process can be time consuming and should not be left to the last minute.
Academic Credit
Academic credit is available for Living Latin in Rome on an optional basis through Brooklyn College. Students taking Living Latin in Rome for credit enroll as students at Brooklyn College, take a final exam and pay an additional fee of $2400 ($800 / credit) for non-residents of New York State and $1140 ($380 / credit) for New York residents directly to Brooklyn College. All students seeking credit for should indicate this on their application. The Paideia Institute will support students admitted to Living Latin in Rome through the Brooklyn College application and enrollment process.
Questions
Please direct all questions to info@paideia-institute.org or call (609) 429-0734.
Application
This application must be completed by Thursday, February 21st at 5pm. Applications received after this deadline will be considered on a rolling basis as space is available.
Entrance Examination
As well as the application form above, you must also complete an entrance examination by February 21st, the same due date as the application form.