Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin (B.A.)
The Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin degree program imparts fundamental knowledge of the Latin language, literature and script of the Middle Ages and the early modern period. Philological and historical skills are also trained in the critical handling of original texts and text carriers. In a practice-oriented and interdisciplinary environment, our students also acquire the ability to work independently as scholars.
Fact Sheet
- Degree
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Admission
- No Admissions Restrictions
- Duration of studies
- 6 semesters
- Teaching language
- completely in German
- Faculty
- Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology
- Start of degree program
- Winter semester
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Special ways to study
- 2-subject Bachelor, Part-time degree program
- Special features
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For prospective students who want to study a two-subject Bachelor’s program at our faculty, there is the possibility to „get a taste“ of individual subjects before the actual start of the program via the module studies „Studium Philosophicum“. The module studies can be taken up in the winter or summer semester, comprise 25 ECTS and are designed for a standard period of study of one semester (with the possibility of an extension by one semester). Successfully completed modules can then subsequently be recognized for a two-subject Bachelor’s program in the respective subprograms after regular enrollment, thus accelerating the course of study. From the BA Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin the following modules can be taken as „Studium Philosophicum“:
Basic Module 1: Introduction to the Language and Literature of Latin Europe (10 ECTS; duration: 2 semesters, i.e. an extension of the standard period of study by 1 semester is necessary).
Basic Module 2: Introduction to Latin Script (Paleography) (10 ECTS; duration: 2 semesters, i.e. an extension of the standard period of study by 1 semester is necessary).
Program overview
What is the degree program about?
Latin did not perish with the Roman Empire, but remained the most important medium of communication of literature and science in the Occident in the millennium after (we call this „Middle Latin“). The supposedly dead language even survived the Middle Ages and held its own into modern times („Neo-Latin“). It left us a tremendous heritage, which we can study through appropriate media ─ in the form of handwritten books and early prints ─. The subject of Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin is thus, in addition to linguistics and literary studies, also media and cultural studies. It is at the center of philological – that is, linguistic and literary – as well as historical studies of Western European culture in the period from about 500 CE to 1800 CE.
The subject has a strong international and interdisciplinary orientation. Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin, which can be studied as a first or second subject at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, is offered as a bachelor’s degree program at only a few universities worldwide. This is despite the fact that knowledge of medieval Latin is of great advantage in many medievalist-oriented subjects (e.g. history, art history, German studies, etc.), and in some cases is even indispensable! Therefore, Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin are also ideally suited as a second subject (minor) for numerous courses of study, especially for those with a medieval component.
The program consists of the following modules, among others:
- Basic Module 1: Introduction to the Language and Literature of Latin Europe.
- Basic Module 2: Introduction to the Latin Script (Paleography)
- Basic Module 3: The Classical Heritage
- Medieval import modules from subjects such as English studies, book studies, German studies, history, art history, northern studies, philosophy or Romance studies
- Advanced module 1: Medieval Latin Philology
- Advanced Module 2: Latin Language and Literature in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Times
Medieval Latin language; Neo-Latin language; Medieval Latin literature (specializations in particular literary landscapes, authors, periods, and/or genres are possible); Early Neo-Latin literature (specializations in particular literary landscapes, authors, periods, and/or genres are possible); history of writing (paleography).
- Interest in medieval literature, history and culture
- School knowledge of Latin
In Bavaria, Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin are only offered in the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in Erlangen. Thus, in Erlangen we offer a uniquely complete and continuous education in Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin, from the bachelor’s degree through participation in various master’s programs to the doctoral degree and (in the form of advanced courses for graduate students) beyond. We are excellently networked, e.g. through our participation in the Erlangen Medieval Center (IZEMIR = Interdisciplinary Center for European Medieval and Renaissance Studies) or through cooperations with institutions such as the French National Library in Paris, the Bavarian State Library in Munich or the Bamberg State Library. Our ERASMUS partnerships with the universities in Barcelona, Bergamo, Brno, Olomouc and Salerno also make it easy to spend time abroad during your studies.
Because the small size of the department means that there are few graduates compared to other programs, a degree in Medieval Latin and Neo-Latin puts you in a very good position. Although our subject is primarily a scientific discipline, it also imparts targeted career-oriented knowledge that qualifies students for a wide range of activities. In addition to activities in academia (careers at a university), these include work in archives, libraries or museums, in the field of media and journalism, as well as in cultural mediation, cultural management and cultural tourism.
Possible combinations without overlaps
- Archaeological Sciences
- Book Studies
- Business and Economics
- Chinese Studies
- Cultural History of Christianity
- Education
- English and American Studies
- German studies
- Hispanic Studies
- History
- Indo-European and Indo-Iranian Studies
- Islamic Religious Studies
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Latin Philology
- Oriental Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Scandinavian Studies (BA)
- Theater and Media Studies
With these subject combinations, there are generally no overlaps in the timetable.
Possible overlaps in the timetable
- Art History
- Computational Linguistics
- Digital Humanities and Social Sciences
- French Studies
- Geography: Cultural Geography
- Geography: Cultural Geography as a two subject Bachelor's degree program
- Greek Philology
- Sociology
- Sociology
If you combine these subjects, individual courses may overlap in your timetable. For this reason, you can only combine the following subjects with your chosen subject after a consultation. Students are responsible for ensuring that the combination can be studied and that the deadlines set out in Section 11 of the ABMStPOPhil are met. When enrolling, proof of a corresponding consultation with the Central Student Advisory Service or the Student Service Center (Faculty of Humanities, Social Studies, and Theology) must be submitted.
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Application for a Degree Program
Admission Requirements and Application
Admission
- 1st semester: No Admissions Restrictions
Application deadline
- Winter semester: 30.09.
- Summer semester: nicht möglich
Language skills
- Knowledge of Latin is recommended (school Latin), but not required. Missing knowledge of Latin can be acquired via the Latin language courses we organize in a scheduled 2 semesters.
- German language skills for international applicants: DSH 2 (written 2 / oral 1) or equivalent
Details and notes
The application deadline for the winter semester for international applicants is July 15th.
For questions concerning the study of Medieval Latin and Modern Latin, please contact Akad. Dir. Dr. Stefan Weber.
In addition to the general qualification for university entrance (Abitur), there are other access options for studying at FAU.
