The Ancient & Modern Languages Department offers majors in Ancient Languages and Spanish.
Learning a language like Latin, Greek, or Hebrew is challenging yet deeply rewarding. With a concentration in Biblical Languages, you will encounter God’s Word in fresh and dynamic ways as the message of the Old and New Testaments comes alive when read in the original languages. If you choose to pursue Classical Languages or Latin concentrations, you will have the opportunity to spend time with some of the great minds who shaped our literary, philosophical, scientific, and theological heritage.
It is not unusual for an ancient language student like yourself to spend a semester abroad studying at Oxford University or in Rome to become immersed in language and culture. You may decide to attend the monthly “convivia,” or “social gatherings” that have provided an outlet for students to enjoy and think about ancient languages in some very creative ways, as well as promoted and fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and community with one another and with faculty. While the Ancient Languages major is not designed for a particular career path or specific profession (aside from teaching), the soft skill set that you develop, including the ability to think more critically and to communicate more clearly, is applicable and transferable to any number of vocational endeavors.
Through the study of Koine Greek and Biblical Hebrew, you will encounter God’s word in fresh and dynamic ways. The message of the Old and New Testaments will come alive as you read Scripture in the original biblical languages, and your understanding of the cultural context of those writings will be greatly enhanced as you learn the languages the children of Abraham and the early Church used in telling the story of their relationship with God. And in the case of the study of biblical languages, you will be amazed at how your faith will deepen as your ability to read and understand God’s message in the original languages increases. If you are thinking about graduate school or seminary after you complete your undergraduate degree, having studied biblical languages at Asbury will serve you well.
Biblical Languages Minor (PDF)
The Classical Languages of ancient Greek and Latin have been at the heart of liberal arts education for centuries. To study these two languages is to have a conversation with some of the great minds who helped shape the literary, philosophical, political, scientific, and theological heritage of the West. The impact of these classical languages upon the growth and spread of Christianity is inestimable; the scientific community owes much of its language to ancient Greek and Latin, and philosophers have found classical languages to be the perfect tool to convey their most nuanced expressions of thought. While the study of ancient Greek and Latin provides an especially strong foundation for the pursuits of law and medicine, no matter what field you enter, Classical Languages will help you communicate with greater clarity and think more critically—skills that are needed more than ever in today’s complex and constantly changing world.
Classical Languages Minor (PDF)
Courses in classical mythology, classical culture and civilization, and classical literature in translation require no knowledge of ancient Greek or Latin, and all readings and coursework are in English. Through these Classics courses, you will discover that the world of ancient Greece and Rome is all around us and shows up in our art, movies, literature, advertising, and government—just to name a few places. You will kindle your imagination when you read the myths of Ovid and the journeys of Odysseus; you will engage the universal truths of our human condition so vividly portrayed in Homer and Vergil; you will witness the triumphs and tragedies of larger-than-life figures such as Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great; you will marvel at the architectural and engineering feats which the ancient Greeks and Romans accomplished; you will discover that many of the fundamental values we regard today find a home in the writings of Plato and Seneca; and you will come to realize that we have not changed much in 2,000 years. The Classics courses have a broad appeal and complement any major or minor program of study. In fact, many students from a variety of academic disciplines take these courses as electives.
The study of ancient Greek is a great language option if you aspire to read the New Testament in the original, if you enjoy the epics of Homer or the tragedies of Euripides, or if you appreciate the subtleties of thought and expression in Plato. From your first exposure to the alphabet to reading entire passages of prose and poetry, ancient Greek will challenge you to become more intentional in the ways you think and speak and write. You will soon find yourself communicating with greater clarity and thinking more critically, skills that are needed more than ever in today’s complex and constantly-changing world. The investment you make in learning ancient Greek will pay off in ways you could not have imagined when you first began your study. Graduate school admissions committees and prospective employers still sit up and take notice when the words “ancient Greek” appear on a transcript or resumé. More than that, you will be well equipped to enter any field because you have learned what it takes for you to succeed and realize that you embody academic excellence.
God spoke. And everything came into being. So reads the Genesis account of the creation of our universe, and at the very heart of that creation is language. The biblical narrative reveals the power and potential of language. When you study Biblical Hebrew, you will be struck by its power and inspired to dig more deeply into the Old Testament. The beauty of Biblical Hebrew lies in its ability to communicate sublime truths in language that is down-to-earth. As you learn the grammar and syntax of Biblical Hebrew, it will not take you long to realize just how tied to raw human experience the language is. Whether you find yourself simply wanting to understand the Old Testament better or contemplating seminary studies after you finish your degree at Asbury, you will want to take advantage of the opportunity you have as a college student—rather rare these days—to study Biblical Hebrew.
As a Latin major, you’ll study the language of a civilization that has shaped the Western world more than any other. You’ll become part of an academic tradition that dates back to the first universities of Europe. And you’ll develop a greater command of the English language as you discover just how many English words have Latin roots and as you understand its structure better. Before you know it, you will be communicating with greater clarity and thinking more critically, skills that are needed more than ever in today’s complex and constantly-changing world.
The investment you make in learning Latin will pay off in ways you could not have imagined when you first began your study. Graduate school admissions committees and prospective employers still sit up and take notice when “Latin” appears on a transcript or resumé. More than that, you will be well equipped to enter any field because you have learned what it takes for you to succeed and realize that you embody academic excellence. No matter your vocational goal—business, law, medicine, teaching, or you name it—Latin should be part of your preparation for your future. And then you can proclaim with Caesar, “I came. I saw. I conquered.”
Studying Latin Grades P-12 at Asbury includes learning vocabulary and grammar, as well as learning about the culture, literature, history and geography in which Latin originated. By attaining a teaching certificate (P-12) in Latin, you can become well-prepared to teach in the classroom. If you are contemplating graduate work in linguistics or thinking about law school, medical school, or dental school, you could find the study of Latin to be helpful in reaching your career goals.
Are you ready to join a language community that ranks fifth in the number of native speakers around the world? As a Spanish major, you focus primarily on the language, culture and literature of Spanish-speaking countries found in South America and Spain. You can customize your experience with a cross-cultural mission trip to Mexico or study abroad for a semester in Spain. With your cultural knowledge and language skills, you will be an asset to employers in the realms of government, education, law, and more.
Spanish Major (PDF)
Spanish Minor (PDF)
Customize your experience studying the language that ranks fifth in the number of native speakers in the world! As a freshman, you get to experience what the classroom is like, and you can even study abroad in Spain for a semester. By learning about the language, culture and literature of Spanish-speaking countries found in South America and Spain, you can become prepared for a rewarding career. By attaining a teaching certificate (P-12) in Spanish, you can share your love for the language with students in the classroom.