Treatise on the Incarnation
At the end of his life Thomas Aquinas was working on a book for Dominican students at the University of Paris who were struggling with the theology curriculum. This remedial book, called the Summary of Theology (or in Latin Summa Theologiae), although left incomplete at the time of his death, has become one of the most important works of theology in the history of the church. It is exceptional for the clarity of scholastic method, the rigor of its reasoning, and the theological creativity it displays.
Unfortunately, due to its length and what it presupposes, we already know, this text is rarely read outside the context of specialized courses in seminaries and graduate programs. But don't let this fool you: remember that it was a remedial textbook, and it remains accessible if one reads closely, and has a knowledgeable guide.
At the same time this course is happening, I will also be offering a course in English reading the same section of the Summa. Latin students therefore have the opportunity to take that course in English, in which we will be discussing Aquinas's view of the incarnate Christ (with all of its theological and philosophical specificities), and this course in Latin, in which they will get a chance to experience for themselves some of those same texts in Aquinas' original language.
Why read this book in Latin? Scholastic Latin is a bit of a different animal than other types of Latin, involving unique jargon drawn from the Latin translations of Aristotle, historical theological discussions, and medieval law. While there are some Scholastic Latin dictionaries out there, I have never found any of them to be particularly helpful. The best way to learn to read the Latin of the great medieval masters is to do so with someone who has spent many hours in their pages and who has himself sat at the feet of great readers of these texts. This course offers you this opportunity, something which is becoming increasingly rare these days.
Who's it for? Anyone who wants to improve their Latin. This course is open to adults and advanced high school students who have finished the usual course of Latin grammar and are looking to grow in their ability to interpret and translate.
What will class be like? The first 30 minutes of class will feature guided reading, during which I will take you through sections of the text showing you how the sentences mean. Then there will be 30 minutes of student reading. We will finish with 30 more minutes of guided reading.
Can I take the course but not be called on to translate? Students who participate in the translation portion will get the most out of the course. However, you may choose to just listen and soak up as much as you can (and you are still encouraged to ask questions when you don't understand something!).
September 1 - October 20, 2027
Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm CT
$400 / student
or included in The Latin Package
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Junius Johnson is one of the best professors I have ever encountered. He is deeply knowledgeable and qualified, but also uses humor and a sense of play to foster a collaborative and engaging learning environment — all while pushing his students to do and be their best. He equipped me with the essential skills of nuanced Latin translation, and perhaps just as importantly instilled in me a love for the language and appreciation for its historical development and contexts. More than a decade after studying with him, I continue to benefit from Professor Johnson’s instruction and in fact am currently translating a ninth-century text for publication.
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With humor, intelligent discussion, and deep insights, Junius Johnson gives you more than an overview or introduction to Latin, he inspires you to keep learning hard things while giving you a vision and much fuller picture of Latin.
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Junius has such a robust understanding of the language, and his passion is contagious. His approach invites parents, educators, and students to re-imagine how they think about Latin, moving from merely transactional to experiential. He’s also not afraid to address many of the “why” questions that all too often go unanswered. Highly recommend!
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Simply put, Junius Johnson is the best Latin teacher I have ever experienced in my many years of supervising education. He is a true scholar of the Latin language from the classical period to the neo-Latin present; he has success teaching every age and skill level. Junius is compassionate with those who are less gifted than he, but still manages to stretch his students in a friendly and inviting manner. I wholeheartedly recommend him to you as your teacher. Trust me, the encounter will be memorable.