Though a single language, Latin finds diverse expression across the centuries of its use. The student familiar with Cicero and Seneca will different modes of expression in Abelard and Aquinas. But Scholastic Latin, albeit less rhetorically fluid than many of the great classical authors, has a beauty all its own—a spiritual depth and a philosophical precision. Lovers of the Latin tongue should know well the beauty expressed by these later authors.
This Fall, our renewed Scholastic Latin course—taught by new Faculty Fellow, Dr. Jacob J. Andrews—will introduce students to the Scholastic paradigm by reading Bonaventure’s Journey of the Mind to God (Itinerarium Mentis ad Deum), an exposition of the Augustinian spiritual path of looking outward to see God in the world, inward to see Him in ourselves, and upward to see Him in the Incarnation and the Trinity. Its Latin is simple yet beautiful. Though full of philosophical depth, it can be read and appreciated without knowing all the scholastic nuances Bonaventure employs.
We’ll be reading chapter 2 of the Itinerarium, on how to see God in creation, a beautiful primer on the scholastic worldview. Our class will focus on study practices and reading techniques that foster a strong intuition of the meaning of scholastic Latin. If you’re interested in medieval spirituality, scholastic metaphysics, or just love beautiful Latin prose and want to be able to read it for pleasure, this class is for you.
We’ll be meeting Tuesday evenings at 7PM EST, starting on August 5th. You should have basic competency in Latin (Latin I-III at the Lyceum or the equivalent). The Institute offers placement exams; if you aren’t sure if you’re ready, contact Magister Sharpe with a Language Inquiry.
This course is available to all enrolled members.
No responses yet