Ancient Languages

Overview

When you study Latin and Greek, you will find an exciting new home in the languages that shaped the fundamentals of western thought in the sciences, philosophy, medicine, and literature. 

Beautiful and fascinating in their own right, these ancient languages provide you with a deeper understanding of modern culture, specialist technical terminologies and many modern languages through their roots in Latin and Greek. Each week you will experience the intense satisfaction of building your brain into a stronger, better, more agile resource. Understanding the precious cultural resources bound up in even 'dead' languages also exposes you to the politics of vulnerable Indigenous languages, such as the returned and reconstructed island language of Tasmania, palawa kani. 

Our introductory units begin with Latin and are designed for students with no experience in ancient or modern languages. These units pay attention to fundamental principles of grammar, informing general understanding of language structure, and guide students through skillfully adapted texts allowing direct access to ancient thought. Our intermediate units continue to develop grammatical skills while gradually incorporating original texts. At advanced level you will read ancient texts in their original language, and begin Ancient Greek in accelerated form. The Ancient Languages program from University of Tasmania integrates closely with Ancient Civilisations and connects with several majors in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Legal Studies. Learning Ancient Greek and Latin and reading their centuries of literature are among the great intellectual adventures, and employers recognise the analytical and creative skills such training develops.

Career outcomes

Modern workplaces are invariably changing; responding to economic, political and social forces, which means employees need the basic intellectual capacities to adapt to change, understand intercultural differences, thoughtfully challenge assumptions, and think objectively.

Employers depend on people who are effective communicators and decision-makers, with demonstrable skills in critical thinking, problem solving, research and investigation. These abilities are fundamental for all Arts graduates, who have gone onto diverse careers including:

• Advocacy and counselling
• Arts and heritage
• Business
• Communications and public relations
• Education
• Linguistics
• Finance
• Foreign relations and diplomacy
• Healthcare and healthcare ethics