Expanding the World of Thought
The Lyceum Institute offers a study of several languages which are of practical and speculative significance not only for the Western tradition, but also for our increasingly communal world.
To be sure, there are many pleasurable and practical benefits of language study—for instance, the ability to enjoy a beloved foreign film without subtitles or to use a language to advance one’s professional career. While we acknowledge these benefits, our primary concern with the study of language is the reward of its various intellectual benefits. Some of these benefits include the following: an increased understanding of universal grammar, or the grammatical principles common to all languages; the ability to read the great works of the Western world in their original languages; the development of conversational and listening skills; and many more.
Latin
Our Latin program is designed to help participants read and translate Latin texts from various literary genres and time periods. We offer a three-course sequence which introduces beginners and those with limited Latin experience to the fundamental grammar and vocabulary of Classical Latin. We also offer courses for more experienced Latin students; these courses focus on the translation of passages from a specific author, literary genre, or time period.
In 2024, we are offering not only our Latin: Foundations sequence, but also a course in Latin prose composition and a Scholastic Latin reading group.
Ancient Greek
Our Greek program is designed to help participants read and translate Ancient Greek texts with minimal need for external aids. We offer a three-course sequence which introduces beginners and those with limited Greek experience to the fundamental grammar and vocabulary of Ancient Greek. Although this sequence trains students in the fundamentals of the Classical period and Attic dialect of Ancient Greek, participants are adequately prepared to read early Koine Greek, such as that featured in the New Testament. We will also offer courses for more experienced Greek students; these courses focus on the translation of passages from a specific author, literary genre, or time period.
We are offering Greek I in Summer 2024 and Greek II in Fall 2024. We plan to offer Greek III in Winter 2025 and a course on Xenophon’s Anabasis in Summer 2025.
German & French
The Lyceum Institute’s German and French programs will consist of three courses each which introduce participants to the essentials of their grammar and vocabulary. The program is designed to help participants read and translate simple German and French texts—such as short stories, news reports, or philosophical and theological works—with minimal or no need for external aids. As in our programs for classical languages, the primary goal of the German and French programs is the development of proficiency in reading and translation. That said, as these are a “living” languages, these program place a greater emphasis on development of speaking and listening skills.
FAQ
Is there a fee to enroll in language courses?
Foundations courses (Latin and Greek) are free for all Lyceum members (i.e., those who have signed up for any of our membership plans). There is a fee to enroll in all other language courses; as with our philosophy seminars, the pricing for these courses is structured on the principle of financial subsidiarity.
Do you use a particular teaching method?
Many language teachers employ the so-called “natural method,” in which a new language is taught to students by an almost exclusive use of that language itself. While there is great merit to this method, the Lyceum uses an approach based on the so-called “grammar-translation” method—i.e., participants study the language’s grammar intensively and translate texts into English. This approach is used for two reasons: first, and more theoretically, most Lyceum members study languages to read and translate texts; second, and more practically, most participants do not have enough time to undergo a language course which is also devoted to speaking and writing a language fluently.
That said: while our German and French programs will also focus primarily on reading and translation, these programs will feature added emphasis on speaking and listening comprehension.
Do you plan to teach other languages?
We are open to the possibility of offering other languages, especially if enough of our members express a sustained interest. However, our current concern is to maintain, develop, and refine the quality of our Latin and Greek programs.
