Should I take a Latin class?

Question:

Should I take a Latin class?

I'm an art history major and need to be able to translate written French and German. I've been taking these two languages, and am thinking of taken a Latin class. Seems like it would help with the vocabulary.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Latin is a good language. It will help with your other language studies, and if you're planning on grad school, what you learn in Latin will help your GRE score.

However, if you're only planning on taking it because of your art history major, you need to concern yourself with what you plan on focusing on, especially in grad school. If you are not going into medieval art, it's unlikely a school will require Latin from you. If you're interested in the Renaissance, for instance, Italian is more likely. If you are interested in Asian art, the appropriate Asian language will be necessary.

Regardless, the German is a very good thing to have. Art history is, originally, a German discipline, and the language will help you with upper-level studies.