The Britannia Program: June 16-29, 2017

Join us for this unique summer learning experience in Durham, England, designed for high school students with a passion for Latin literature and an interest in ancient history.

Reading Caesar & Discovering Ancient History in Northern England

Calder Classics invites students entering 9th through 12th grades to join us in Durham, England in the summer of 2017. Over the course of a two-week program, the Classics come alive through the study of Caesar and other Latin authors and excursions to nearby ancient sites.

We spend ten days together in charming and historic Durham, England, followed by three nights in London. The Latin language, ancient history, and British culture come to life as we learn and explore the surroundings together. Our days consist of reviewing Latin grammar, reading passages from Caesar’s Gallic Wars found on the AP Latin syllabus along with other great authors of Latin literature, exploring the culture of Durham and nearby Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and taking trips to visit Roman ruins along famous Hadrian’s wall and other nearby sites. The evenings feature many leisure and culinary offerings in Newcastle, Durham and London. Two free afternoons are scheduled when students may choose to experience Durham or Newcastle (15 minutes by commuter rail) on their own (with advance parental permission), or rest on the grounds of our Durham home base.

The end date of this course is coordinated to allow students to optionally continue with the equally advanced Reading Latin + Art History course that immediately follows in Florence.

Master Latin

Each day, students and their teacher read, translate, and discuss Latin literature in an interactive small group environment. Our Latin readings focus on Caesar’s Gallic Wars--especially Book IV, when Caesar invades Britannia--to help prepare students for the AP Latin curriculum and provide a literary background to our exploration of Roman Britain. We also sample other Latin texts focused on ancient Britannia, such as Tacitus’s Agricola, including the famous episode about the British female warrior known as the “Rebellion of Boudicca.” Given that participants join us from a variety of schools, we begin with a brief review of Latin grammar. We then analyze the texts from both a grammatical and literary perspective, engaging in such topics as the significance of rhetorical devices, political propaganda, and the Roman encounter with foreign peoples. At least one school year of reading Latin literature is required.

Explore Northern England's Ancient Roman Footprints

Throughout the course, we engage with the legacy of Roman rule in England through exploration and participation in archaeological excavations of Hadrian’s Wall, which stretched over 70 miles and marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire at its greatest extent. Guided by a veteran teacher of World and Roman History, we hike along the wall’s remains in central Newcastle, take field trips to the nearby Housteads Garrison Fort site, and watch demonstrations of the Roman military in action and even participate in a dig at the Roman Army Museum at Vindolanda. We conclude our trip with a brief stay in London, where we view the Vindolanda Tablets displayed at the British Museum.

Calder Classics Students Have Joined Us From…

Andover, Berkshire School, Brearley, Chapin, Charlotte Country Day School, Choate Rosemary Hall, Clark School, Collegiate, Columbia Prep, Dalton, The Dexter School, Dwight Englewood School, Exeter, Groton, Hackley, The Harker School, High School of RenMin University of China, Hotchkiss, Lawrenceville, Liberty High School, Manhattan Friends, Marymount, Middlesex, Milton Academy, Packer, Princeton High School, Riverdale, Sage Hill, Sage Ridge, Saint Ann's, Saint Ignatius College Prep, Second High School Attached to Beijing Normal University, Spence, St. Joseph, Stuyvesant, Taft, Trinity, Veritas Preparatory Academy and Woodrow Wilson... Add your school to the list!

Staff

Accommodations

We have exclusive use of a terrific home in Durham, England located in a quiet area, with easy access to Durham city center. The home is surrounded by lovely grounds where we can study, talk or just relax. This residence includes five double bedrooms, a cozy living room, outdoor terraces, a fully equipped kitchen and laundry room, and wireless internet.

Dates & Fees

June 16 to June 29, 2017

The $5,000 tuition includes accommodations, transportation within Britain, museum entries, instruction and course materials (certain additional books may need to be purchased). Breakfast, plus either lunch or dinner, are also included. Depending on our daily schedules, students will be on their own for either a midday lunch break or an evening dinner break. Students are responsible for the cost of their own activities outside of the group. Transportation to Durham is not included.

Transportation

Students may travel with our chaperone on both legs of the journey, from New York City to Durham and from London to New York City.

Testimonials

"Calder Classics was one of the best times of my life so far! I feel like it was an experience that has taught me how to put both Latin and history into a visual context, live in a foreign country, and even how to be a better Latin student. I look back on these memories with fondness and I think that anyone with the opportunity to do a Calder Classics program should take it up in a heartbeat." -Charlie H., student

"Many thanks for an amazing and enjoyable educational summer program... My son learned so much about language, history and culture. He had a wonderful time!" -Shelly H., parent

" I deepened my understanding of fundamental Latin concepts as well as more complex aspects of the language, gained an abundance of knowledge about Ancient Roman culture, and formed friendships and made memories that I will cherish forever." -Frances D.

"When we were looking for a summer Latin study program for our son we were lucky to find Calder Classics... It offers lots of individual attention, small class size, excellent teachers, and history lessons to go along with sightseeing... The staff, from our first inquiry into the program to arrival back in the United States, was always very helpful. Thanks Calder Classics!" -Ginny S., parent

"Calder Classics improved not only my Latin but also my knowledge and curiosity of the classics." -Julia S., student

Photos from Previous Calder Classics Trips

Reservation Form

Once you submit this Reservation Form, you will receive an email with a link to our full Application Form. After we receive a completed Application Form, a Calder Classics representative may be in touch with the applicant if further information is required to determine whether the program is suitable for the student’s level and experience. Students will be notified about their acceptance status upon assessment of the Application Form and the receipt of a required teacher recommendation. Reserved spots may be held for 10 days prior to receipt of the completed Application Form.

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