American Classical League
Encyclopedia
Founded in 1919, the American Classical League (ACL) is a professional organization which promotes the study of classical civilization
at all levels of education
in the United States
and Canada
. Teachers of Latin
, Ancient Greek
and the Classics
account for the majority of its membership, though the ACL is open to any person interested in preserving the language, literature and culture of both Ancient Rome
and Ancient Greece
. Currently based out of Miami University
in Oxford
, Ohio
, the league publishes and provides hundreds of teaching aids; runs a national placement service for teachers of Latin and Greek; sponsors the National Latin Examination
(NLE); functions as the parent organization of both the National Junior Classical League
(NJCL) and National Senior Classical League
(NSCL); and annually holds a convention — the Annual Institute — to promote excellence in the teaching of classical studies. The ACL also encourages and supports ongoing dialogue with other classical
and modern language
associations.
Classical antiquity
Classical antiquity is a broad term for a long period of cultural history centered on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, collectively known as the Greco-Roman world...
at all levels of education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Teachers of Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
and the Classics
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
account for the majority of its membership, though the ACL is open to any person interested in preserving the language, literature and culture of both Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
and Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
. Currently based out of Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Oxford
Oxford, Ohio
Oxford is a city in northwestern Butler County, Ohio, United States, in the southwestern portion of the state. It lies in Oxford Township, originally called the College Township. The population was 21,943 at the 2000 census. This college town was founded as a home for Miami University. Oxford...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, the league publishes and provides hundreds of teaching aids; runs a national placement service for teachers of Latin and Greek; sponsors the National Latin Examination
National Latin Examination
The National Latin Exam is a worldwide test given to Latin students. Sponsored by the U.S.-based American Classical League and the National Junior Classical League, the exam was given to about 150,000 or so students in the U.S., Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New...
(NLE); functions as the parent organization of both the National Junior Classical League
National Junior Classical League
The National Junior Classical League is a youth organization of secondary school students sponsored by the American Classical League...
(NJCL) and National Senior Classical League
National Senior Classical League
The National Senior Classical League is an organization — mostly of college students — which promotes the study, appreciation and advancement of the Classics. It is the college-level affiliate of the National Junior Classical League , and both organizations are sponsored by the American Classical...
(NSCL); and annually holds a convention — the Annual Institute — to promote excellence in the teaching of classical studies. The ACL also encourages and supports ongoing dialogue with other classical
Classical language
A classical language is a language with a literature that is classical. According to UC Berkeley linguist George L. Hart, it should be ancient, it should be an independent tradition that arose mostly on its own, not as an offshoot of another tradition, and it must have a large and extremely rich...
and modern language
Modern language
A modern language is any human language that is currently in use. The term is used in language education to distinguish between languages which are used for day-to-day communication and dead classical languages such as Latin, Attic Greek, Sanskrit, and Classical Chinese, which are studied for...
associations.
Allied organizations
- American Philological AssociationAmerican Philological AssociationThe American Philological Association , founded in 1869, is a non-profit North American scholarly organization devoted to all aspects of Greek and Roman civilization...
(APA) - American Council on the Teaching of Foreign LanguagesAmerican Council on the Teaching of Foreign LanguagesThe American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages is an American organization aiming to improve and expand the teaching and learning of all languages at all levels of instruction...
(ACTFL) - Archaeological Institute of AmericaArchaeological Institute of AmericaThe Archaeological Institute of America is a North American nonprofit organization devoted to the promotion of public interest in archaeology, and the preservation of archaeological sites. It has offices on the campus of Boston University and in New York City.The institute was founded in 1879,...
(AIA) - Classical Association of the Middle West and SouthClassical Association of the Middle West and SouthThe Classical Association of the Middle West and South , is a professional organization for classicists and non-classicists at all levels of instruction which promotes the Classics through the broad scope of its annual meeting, through the publication of both original research and pedagogical...
(CAMWS) - Center for Hellenic StudiesCenter for Hellenic StudiesThe Center for Hellenic Studies is a research institute for classics located in Washington, D.C. at 3100 NW Whitehaven Street. It is affiliated with Harvard University....
(CHS)
See also
- National Latin Exam (NLE)
- National Junior Classical LeagueNational Junior Classical LeagueThe National Junior Classical League is a youth organization of secondary school students sponsored by the American Classical League...
(NJCL)- National Junior Classical League state chaptersNational Junior Classical League state chaptersFifty-one National Junior Classical League state chapters are currently recognized in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom: one for every U.S...
- Certamen (quiz bowl)
- National Junior Classical League state chapters
- National Senior Classical LeagueNational Senior Classical LeagueThe National Senior Classical League is an organization — mostly of college students — which promotes the study, appreciation and advancement of the Classics. It is the college-level affiliate of the National Junior Classical League , and both organizations are sponsored by the American Classical...
(NSCL)