Latin

In the summer of 2008 the Department of Classics at the University of Virginia will again offer Latin as one of the University's Summer Language Institutes. The Latin program, which will take place from June 9 through August 8, is an intensive course designed to cover two years of college-level Latin (12 UVa credit hours earned). Students who wish to acquire experience in reading Latin but do not require course credit may also choose a non-credit option. No previous knowledge of Latin is required for participation. The Summer Latin Institute is an excellent opportunity for motivated students to achieve rapid proficiency in Latin.

The Institute begins with the fundamentals of Latin grammar, including elementary readings and composition. In the second half of the program, students read extensively from prose and verse authors at the intermediate level, in addition to completing more advanced exercises in prose composition and metrics. There are six hours of formal instruction per day and supplementary review sessions in the evenings.



Program Director: Justin Carreker
Having served as the Latin SLI residence director and evening instructor in 2007, Justin is looking foward to his first summer as the program director and main instructor of the Latin SLI. He has taught Latin 201, 202, Greek 101, 102, and Classical Mythology at UVa. In addition to UVa class instruction, he has tutored students at all levels and has also served as senior teacher and director of the English Department at the Summerbridge program in Denver, CO.

Justin Carreker received his B.A. in Classics (with minors in English and German) in 2003, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar. He is now in his fourth year as a Classics graduate student at UVa, having received his M.A. in 2006, with a master's thesis on the character of Lavinia in Vergil's Aeneid.

His interests lie primarily in Latin poetry, epic and lyric, but also extend to Greek epic, especially Homer, and to Plato and Aristotle. He prides himself on engaging, enthusiastic, and clear teaching.

Student Comments

• "Justin is very learned, accessible, and passionate about the material...adept at
  explaining difficult concepts."
• "Justin cares a lot about his students and makes class interesting, while ensuring that we all have a complete grip on the material."
• "After two semesters of class with Justin Carreker, I have decided to become a Classics Major."