A8532
Course Unit Outline
Unit Code
A8532
Unit Name
Ecclesiastical Latin
Unit Weighting
9 credit points
Type of Unit
Foundational
Prerequisites, corequisites or exclusions
Nil
Academic Staff
Rev. Dennis Nutt BA GradDipEd (Syd) MA(Hons) (Macq) BD (MCD) MACE FSCD. ). The list of academic
faculty qualified to teach this unit is given in the faculty register.
Curriculum Objectives
This graduate course unit aims to provide the student with the basic grammatical and syntactical
knowledge that will lead to a basic facility in understanding of the Latin ecclesiastical writings.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Identify and explain the basic elements of Latin grammar within the broader context of English
grammar and syntax
2. critically assess the influence of Church Latin on Western culture, language, music and language
idiom
3. develop a basic understanding with the language structure and vocabulary encountered in scriptural,
liturgical and patristic texts
4. adapt and apply knowledge gained to ecclesiastical texts
5. verify the place of the Latin language in the heritage of the Church
Threshold concept to be acquired in this unit
Nil
Content
1. Study of basic grammar
2. Common Latin phraseology
3. Latin hymns
4. Latin prayers
5. Latin liturgical texts
6. Ecclesiastical documents
Learning Activities
Lectures, workshops, small groups, Problem-Based Learning.
Required Specialist Facilities or Equipment
Nil
Assessment Profile
Assessment tasks are designed both to help students attain the unit outcomes and to enable teachers to
assess student attainment. In this unit, the required assessment tasks will enable students to
demonstrate how successfully they can:
1. Understand the basic elements of Latin grammar (weekly quizzes). [Outcome 1]
2. Understand the basics of Latin grammar and vocabulary and the role of Latin in texts (mid-semester
examination). [Outcomes 1, 2 and 3]
3. Demonstrate competence and application of basic Latin (Final Examination). [Outcomes 1, 3 and 4]
4. Understand and apply knowledge of the role of Latin (document translations). [Outcomes 2 and 5]
5. Use and apply their knowledge and understanding of the Latin language (translation of an
ecclesiastic document). [Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5]
Representative References
1. Bretzke, J. Consecrated Phrases: A Latin Theological Dictionary, Latin Expressions Commonly Found in
Theological Writings. Liturgical Press, 1998
2. Collins, John F. A Primer of Ecclesiastical Latin. Washington: CUA Press, 1985.
3. Lampe, Geoffrey W.H. A Patristic Greek lexicon, Parts 1-2. Oxford: Clarendon, 1961
4. Lewis, C.T. and Charles Short. Latin Dictionary. Oxford: Clarendon, 1922.
5. Lowe, J.E. Church Latin for Beginners. London: Burn, Oates & Washbourne, 1923.
6. Mantello F. & A Rigg, eds. Medieval Latin: An Introduction and Bibliographic Guide. Catholic
University of America, 1996.
7. Nunn, H.P.V. An Introduction to Ecclesiastical Latin. Eton: Alden & Blackwell, 1952.
8. Stelten, Leo F. Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin. Hendrickson: Peabody, 1995