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Latin Philology

Major

Important information at a glance

Degree: Bachelor of ArtsLanguage of Instruction: GermanStart of studies: Winter and summer semesterAdmission: Unrestricted admissionCombined subjects: Combined bachelor's degree (major)Standard period of study: 8 semestersSemester abroad: Recommended

The bachelor's program provides comprehensive education in Latin philology, which is generally oriented toward classical antiquity studies and can serve as a foundational academic training for various careers.

The study of Latin philology aims to enable students to understand the unique character of ancient culture. Additionally, through knowledge of cultural-historical connections between Greco-Roman antiquity and subsequent periods of European culture, as well as through comparative analysis, students contribute to a historically grounded critical understanding.

This discipline is closely connected to other fields within classical antiquity studies but is distinguished by its primarily linguistic and literary perspective and its specific methods, which also link it to other linguistic and literary disciplines.

The bachelor's and master's programs in Latin philology at Frankfurt are structured according to the "4+1 concept." The classical philology programs are coordinated with other classical antiquity studies at Goethe University, which also follow an eight-semester bachelor's program and a two-semester master's program.

Structure and content

Latin philology can be studied as a major or minor.

Major
Minor

Course of study

Module I

  • Introduction to Latin Philology I  

Module II

  • Introduction to Latin Philology II

Module III

  • Latin Prose I

Module IV

  •  Latin Poetry I

Module V

  • Latin Language

Module VI

  • Independent Translation I

Module VII

  • Neighboring Disciplines I

Module VIII

  • Greek Philology

Module IX

  • Latin Prose II

Module X

  • Latin Poetry II

Module XI

  •   Latin Language and Its Didactic Communication

Module XII

  • Excursions
Module XIII
  •  Horizons and Application of Academic Work

Module XIV

  • Neighboring Disciplines II

Module XV

  •   Independent Translation II

Module XVI

  • Academic Translation and Work

Module XVII

  • B.A. Thesis

The foundational phase (1st–4th semesters) consists of eight modules: two “Introduction” modules, two literary modules focusing on Latin poetry and Latin prose (acquisition of foundational knowledge and skills, in-depth study), one linguistics module, one “Independent Translation” module where students independently work through a given text corpus, one interdisciplinary module on “Neighboring Disciplines,” and one module on “Greek Philology.”

The advanced phase (5th–8th semesters) consists of nine modules: two literary modules focusing on Latin prose and poetry, one module on Latin language and its didactic placement, one excursion module, one hands-on module on career horizons and applications of academic work, one interdisciplinary module on “Neighboring Disciplines,” one “Independent Translation” module where students again independently work through a given text corpus, one examination module, and the module for the “B.A. Thesis.”

Independent study, requiring significant time and effort, is an essential part of studying philology from the very beginning. It not only supports preparation and follow-up for courses and the completion of assignments but is also indispensable for acquiring a reliable understanding of Roman literature, of which only a small portion is covered by the works discussed in class. This is addressed through the “Independent Translation” modules included in both the foundational and advanced phases.

For more information about the major in Latin Philology, please visit the faculty webpage.

Study regulations

The study regulations govern the structure, organization, and content of the degree program as well as the examination system. They form the basis for your studies at Goethe University.

Study regulations