This course will acquaint students with the "big hits" of Early Modern scientists writing in Latin: Johannes Kepler on celestial harmony, Giordano Bruno writing poetry on infinite worlds, and Galileo one-upping Plutarch describing the (real) face of the Moon. Within the wide span of astronomy, then, we will focus on topics at the two poles of speculative philosophy about the universum and naturalistic description of things seen in the brand-new telescope. Is the cosmos infinite? If it is, are there an infinite number of Earths and Suns? How can we convey the landscape of something so alien as the Moon? Our course focus on the nitty-gritty of relatively small chunks of Latin will give us a firm basis to ground discussions of these big questions. No background in science or in Neo-Latin is required and work and readings outside of class are strictly optional.
Type: Speaking and Reading | Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language of instruction: Latin
Class size cap: 8 | Platform: Zoom
Dates: October 4, 2025 - November 22, 2025
Meets (EST*): Saturdays, 5:00 PM | 8 sessions (1 hour each)
Materials: The instructor will provide any required materials.
Sessions will be recorded and made available to enrolled participants for review or in case they missed a session.
Zoom
Decent internet connection
Earphones
Microphone
Webcam (preferred but optional)
A quiet space for classes
*The course will observe US time and thus will change according to daylight saving time.
Major US federal holidays are observed. If a participant misses a session due to their observance of a religious holiday, they can arrange a separate session with the instructor.
Education should be accessible. Choose the tier that fits your situation — no proof required, no shame included.
Supported — USD 200 total ($25/hour)
for students, caretakers, or anyone stretched right now.
Standard — USD 280 total ($35/hour)
full-value rate; covers the cost of small-group instruction.
Sustainer — USD 360 total ($45/hour)
covers your seat & includes a contribution to our scholarship fund. Thank you!
This course will acquaint students with the "big hits" of Early Modern scientists writing in Latin: Johannes Kepler on celestial harmony, Giordano Bruno writing poetry on infinite worlds, and Galileo one-upping Plutarch describing the (real) face of the Moon. Within the wide span of astronomy, then, we will focus on topics at the two poles of speculative philosophy about the universum and naturalistic description of things seen in the brand-new telescope. Is the cosmos infinite? If it is, are there an infinite number of Earths and Suns? How can we convey the landscape of something so alien as the Moon? Our course focus on the nitty-gritty of relatively small chunks of Latin will give us a firm basis to ground discussions of these big questions. No background in science or in Neo-Latin is required and work and readings outside of class are strictly optional.
Type: Speaking and Reading | Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language of instruction: Latin
Class size cap: 8 | Platform: Zoom
Dates: October 4, 2025 - November 22, 2025
Meets (EST*): Saturdays, 5:00 PM | 8 sessions (1 hour each)
Materials: The instructor will provide any required materials.
Sessions will be recorded and made available to enrolled participants for review or in case they missed a session.
Zoom
Decent internet connection
Earphones
Microphone
Webcam (preferred but optional)
A quiet space for classes
*The course will observe US time and thus will change according to daylight saving time.
Major US federal holidays are observed. If a participant misses a session due to their observance of a religious holiday, they can arrange a separate session with the instructor.
Education should be accessible. Choose the tier that fits your situation — no proof required, no shame included.
Supported — USD 200 total ($25/hour)
for students, caretakers, or anyone stretched right now.
Standard — USD 280 total ($35/hour)
full-value rate; covers the cost of small-group instruction.
Sustainer — USD 360 total ($45/hour)
covers your seat & includes a contribution to our scholarship fund. Thank you!
NOTA BENE: Classes require a minimum number of participants to run although they may run with fewer participants, at the instructor’s discretion.
More than a week before the start of the course: 100% refund or credit
Less than a week before the first class up until the second class: credit
