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Major in Latin

The major in Latin provides specialized study in Classical Latin, developing advanced reading fluency to engage directly with Roman literature, history, poetry, rhetoric, and philosophy in the original text.

🗺️ Planning Your Degree: Explore semester-by-semester roadmaps and degree planning tools on the Greek & Latin Major Map.

📌 Prerequisite to Declare

  • Course Prerequisite: Successful completion of at least one UC Berkeley Latin course is required before declaring the major.

Major Requirements

The Latin major combines elementary language preparation, ancient Mediterranean survey courses, upper-division Latin reading, and departmental electives.

1. Elementary Language Sequence (8–10 units)

Complete one of the following elementary sequences:

  • Latin 1 + 2 or Latin 15
  • Note: Requirements in this section may be partially or completely waived through placement exams or AP credit (see below).

2. Ancient Mediterranean Survey Courses (8 units)

Select two of the following survey options:

  • AGRS 10A (Ancient Greece)
  • AGRS 10B (Ancient Rome)
  • AGRS R44 (Ancient Greece and Rome: Literature and Writing)
    • Note: AGRS R44 satisfies the second half of the L&S Reading and Composition requirement (R&C Part B) and can replace either an "A" or "B" survey course.

3. Core Upper-Division Latin Sequence (8 units)

Complete the following two courses:

  • Latin 100
  • Either Latin 101 or Latin 102
  • Substitution Note: Students who place out of Latin 100 must substitute another upper-division Latin class.

4. Upper-Division Latin Electives (16 units)

  • Complete four additional courses chosen from Latin 101–189.

5. Upper-Division Departmental Elective (4 units)

  • Complete one upper-division AGRS course (4 units) offered by the department.

📝 Language Placement & AP Credit

Latin Placement

  • Placement Diagnostic: Students can place out of the elementary Latin sequence and directly into Latin 100 or higher by taking the Latin placement exam. Sign up for the Latin Placement Exam.
  • AP Credit: High scores on the AP Latin exam frequently place students into Latin 100, granting 4 units of credit (equivalent to one course) for placing out of Latin 1 and 2.

🔄 Transfer Course Credit

Coursework completed at other colleges or universities may be applied toward language major requirements following review and approval.