SPQR

[4thofeleven]

Hey there, history students! Sick of explaining what it is you're studying, and why? Sick of those baffled looks as you try and explain what the Late Antique, the Merovingians, or Carthage is? Sick of people refusing to accept you've got damned good reason for studying obscure historical periods, even if you can't quite articulate them right at this moment? Well, I've got a solution for you!

Next time someone asks you what you're studying - say "Latin". Claim whatever you're really studying is your minor, or an elective. See, the thing is - nine out of ten people accept "Latin" as a perfectly acceptable and practical thing to be studying, and will nod sagely, secure in the knowledge that you're not wasting your time at university - no, you're studying Latin, in preperation for a career as... as whatever the hell people think Latin students go on to do.

This public service announcement inspired by my discovery that "Ancient Greek" apparently doesn't have the same aura of respectability as "Latin" does...

Comments

[sunnyskywalker]

As a graduated history major, I approve of this advice! I should start charging people a nickel for every time they ask me what I'm planning to do with my degree.

Greek does get more of an, "Oh, that's interesting," response rather than, "Oh, you must be so smart!"

whatever the hell people think Latin students go on to do

Med school or law would be a socially acceptable answer there. Like this: "Well, I'm still exploring my options, but of course Latin is especially useful in the medical and legal fields..." And then you demonstrate by showing how you can figure out what myositis ossificans is through your Fantastic Powers of Translation.

[4thofeleven.livejournal.com]

There were a couple of law students in my Latin class, but they all ended up either dropping out to focus entirely on legal studies... or were seduced into an arts degree, once they noticed how much less reading we had to do each week... *grin*

[fialleril.livejournal.com]

Hmm... Must be an Aussie thing. Because I did major in Latin, and I can assure you, I got way more strange looks and "But what in the world are you going to do with that?" questions than any of the history majors I knew.

But then, America has no respect for the classics in general. ;)