Erasmus' Colloquia Familiaria were originally supposed to teach young men Latin – but they're no mere collection of exercises, being a deep-dive into the Renaissance world-view and a timeless commentary on the human condition that's been read and re-read for the past 5 centuries, while the author’s Latinity and his eclectic, colloquial yet elegant style are often favourably compared even to those of Cicero.
Erasmus’ dialogues don't preach – they provoke. In treating subjects as diverse as manners, ethics, religion, love, folly, marriage, age and solitude, he teaches with warm humour even as he delights with sharp wit. His bestiary is impressive: befuddled students and severe schoolmasters, pious youths and hypocritical churchmen, women trying to navigate the impossible choices that society fosters upon them, sea-drenched sailors, greedy merchants, crooked alchemists and even Charon himself.
This course will feature guided acting out and discussion of select Colloquies, and is aimed at students who find it rewarding to not only tackle the linguistic aspects of a non-trivial Latin text, but to engage with it on the situational-pragmatic level.
Type: Speaking and Reading | Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language of instruction: Latin
Class size cap: 6 | Platform: Zoom
Dates: January 15, 2026 - March 15, 2026
Meets (EST*): Thursdays,Saturdays, 10:00 AM | 18 sessions (1h 30m 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 450 total ($ 25/session)
for students, caretakers, or anyone stretched right now.
Standard — USD 630 total ($ 35/session)
full-value rate; covers the cost of small-group instruction.
Sustainer — USD 780 total (Standard Tier total + 25%)
full-value rate & your contribution to our LAC scholarship fund. Thank you!
Erasmus' Colloquia Familiaria were originally supposed to teach young men Latin – but they're no mere collection of exercises, being a deep-dive into the Renaissance world-view and a timeless commentary on the human condition that's been read and re-read for the past 5 centuries, while the author’s Latinity and his eclectic, colloquial yet elegant style are often favourably compared even to those of Cicero.
Erasmus’ dialogues don't preach – they provoke. In treating subjects as diverse as manners, ethics, religion, love, folly, marriage, age and solitude, he teaches with warm humour even as he delights with sharp wit. His bestiary is impressive: befuddled students and severe schoolmasters, pious youths and hypocritical churchmen, women trying to navigate the impossible choices that society fosters upon them, sea-drenched sailors, greedy merchants, crooked alchemists and even Charon himself.
This course will feature guided acting out and discussion of select Colloquies, and is aimed at students who find it rewarding to not only tackle the linguistic aspects of a non-trivial Latin text, but to engage with it on the situational-pragmatic level.
Type: Speaking and Reading | Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language of instruction: Latin
Class size cap: 6 | Platform: Zoom
Dates: January 15, 2026 - March 15, 2026
Meets (EST*): Thursdays,Saturdays, 10:00 AM | 18 sessions (1h 30m 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 450 total ($ 25/session)
for students, caretakers, or anyone stretched right now.
Standard — USD 630 total ($ 35/session)
full-value rate; covers the cost of small-group instruction.
Sustainer — USD 780 total (Standard Tier total + 25%)
full-value rate & your contribution to our LAC 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
