<p>Well, I will be applying to U Chicago as a chemistry major. I received a 5 on AP Spanish Language, so I could theoretically get credit for the required foreign language class. However, I would really like to take Latin but am not sure I can do so with the core requirements that need to be completed. Thoughts, anyone?</p>
<p>Yeah, you can take it. I mean, I’m a math major and I’m taking Japanese and Latin next year, so I don’t see why it would be a problem.</p>
<p>All right, thanks!</p>
<p>Rident stolidi verba Latina.
-Ovid
Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris?
Nescio. Sed fieri sentio et excrucior.
-Catullus
Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris
profugus…
-Vergil (NOT Virgil)
:/</p>
<p>Boyfriend took Latin as a Math major his first year along with IBL Honors Calc, Hum (Philosophical Perspectives), and Sosc (Mind), and really loved it. He never seemed immensely busy, despite being in one of the more time-consuming courses available to first years (IBL is so much fun!) and also being heavily involved on the fencing team… often found time to go out into the city with new friends on weekends and explore, or to stay up late hanging out most nights (as first-years are wont). I think especially with your previous familiarity with romance language, it’s almost definitely doable, and certainly a worthwhile interest to indulge!</p>
<p>That said, make sure you get the credit for your Spanish when you first get on campus (you can ask your advisor about this during o-week), as you never know what’s going to happen in a year, and it can’t hurt to have the backup. It doesn’t affect your chances of getting a spot in the other language course or anything, and is much easier to sort out early on than later in.</p>
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<p>Both spellings are ok–it’s just a transliteration, not an English name.</p>
<p>^^Actually there’s an interesting story about how both came to be accepted…(Ahh, memories from my AP Latin class)</p>
<p>His original name is Vergilius, which became Vergil according to the European (I forget when or whom) practice of dropping the Latin ending when angliticizing Latin names. So the technically correct spelling would be Vergil.</p>
<p>There are two theories with regard to why/how Virgil came up. I think one had to do with the Latin world virgo (maiden) and Vergil’s modesty, which was considered a maiden’s characteristic. The second–which my teacher said was much more popular among the scholars–has to do with the Latin word virga (wand)and the magical powers Europeans in the Middle Ages thought Vergil had. Since Vergil (obviously) came from a non-Christian background, the medieval scholars argued that some of his writings–I forget which–metaphorically hinted at the coming of Christ. Just google “Vergil name” and you’ll get more detailed stories.</p>
<p>In any case, you can definitely take Latin in addition to the classes for your major & core requirements. And you should, because Latin is a fascinating (although dead) language.</p>
<p>One small note: Taking Latin as a Chem major, in addition to the Core, should not be any kind of problem. But if you are a Chem major who also wants to be in a position to apply to medical school by your fourth year in college, as well as complete the Core, and (as is the case with most students) you don’t want to use AP credit to avoid taking calculus altogether, then you may very well feel squeezed for elective time. The Chem major requirements don’t make you take any Physics or Bio.</p>
<p>JHS, the chem major does require one year of physics, on the level of 13000 or higher. People can test out of it, though, with accreditation, according to the catalog’s placement section. But you’re right; there’s no bio beyond the gen ed core.</p>
<p><a href=“http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/pdf_10/CHEM.pdf[/url]”>http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/pdf_10/CHEM.pdf</a></p>
<p>And</p>
<p><a href=“http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/pdf_10/exam-credit.pdf[/url]”>http://collegecatalog.uchicago.edu/pdf_10/exam-credit.pdf</a></p>
<p>But it’s part of the major, so that itself won’t sap electives.</p>
<p>I’m having a hard time figuring out ways to double major, myself (not in Latin, though I’d love to take some courses), while still taking courses in math (in other words, not accepting credit, like you mentioned) and having at least a few electives. Based on my figuring, if I took four courses every quarter, I’d have like 3 electives with a double major. (But then again, that’s what the double major does: replace electives). Still, it’s sad. There are too many interesting courses!</p>
<p>Yes, technically both spellings are right, but I just cringe when I see “Virgil” because it’s just another example the early Catholic Church trying to Christianify everything. Yes, pnb2002, I have heard the same story from my teachers about the “virga” (wand) because, like you said, Vergil apparently made some “predictions” about someone restoring goodness to Rome. Of course he was talking about Augustus, but the monks took it to mean Jesus. That’s interesting about the “virgo” however. Haven’t heard that one. </p>
<p>@noreally
Take Latin! It’s really fun. There will be times (especially when you get into more advanced Latin) where you will wonder why you took it and might want to commit suicide (sui (reflexive self) + occidere (to kill)). But 99% of the time it’s really interesting. And it helps your vocabulary a TON.</p>
<p>wisteriawings – Of course you are right about physics. The Chem major requirements seem like a bit of bait and switch, however, since they don’t contemplate your taking any of the high-level chemistry courses offered, and presumably you would like to take at least a couple of them. If you look at the suggested flight path for a Chem major, however (especially a B.S. candidate), and layer in the Core and a year of Bio (if you want to keep that med school option open), well, there isn’t a whole lot of room for another three-course sequence in anything until maybe fourth year.</p>
<p>Latin is, indeed, a lot of fun. If you take a modern language, you spend inordinate amounts of time learning how to hold inane conversations about daily life with shopkeepers and cab drivers. The equivalent in Latin is learning how to describe the slaughter of enemies and the pillaging of their property. History has pretty much dispensed with crappy Latin literature and left only the good stuff, which you get to much faster because you don’t have to learn how to ask for directions to the nearest supermarket.</p>
<p>Thanks, guys :)</p>
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It’s really not that big a deal. Classicists have bigger fish to fry than changing Achilles to Akhilleus or Julius to Iulius. </p>
<p>OP- Take my advice and take Greek instead. The literature is much more interesting.</p>
<p>But Attic Greek is SO MUCH HARDER. Especially at the UChicago. Trust me, I’ve been there, literally and figuratively. </p>
<p>And, guys guys guys, Virgil and Vergil are both acceptable anglicized forms.</p>
<p>Oh, and I would like to take this opportunity to say that the classics department at UChicago is fantastic!</p>
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<p>Agreed. I really was never enthusiastic about having to take humanities classes at Chicago (I was more excited about SOSC and CIV), but the professors for Greek Thought and Lit made me want to learn more and more. Now, I’m taking Acc. Latin next year!</p>