Stoic Street Art

Latin 2A students have been learning about Stoicism, the Roman philosophy that emphasizes reason and self-control as foundations for a moral life. As part of their studies, Latin teacher Dan Blanchard asked his students to create a piece of street art visually representing a quote from a Stoic philosopher.

Studying Roman philosophy gives Latin students a unique lens to appreciate the values and culture that shaped ancient Rome, where Latin was a living language. This fall, alongside their language studies, Dan’s students have delved into Greek moral thought through Plato's works, exploring its influence on Stoicism and philosophers like Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Students have been reading from Meditations, Marcus Aurelius’ essential guide to a Stoic life, rooted in reason, logic, and controlled responses to the world’s chaos. Understanding Stoic philosophy helps students shift their perspective, Dan explains. "Latin students – classicists – begin to see the world differently, learning to think about the world they are living in from an ancient perspective.”

This month, Dan challenged his students to bring their learning to life by creating street art. "There’s a certain freedom when you call it street art," he notes, explaining that he wanted students to lean into that creative latitude. Through imagery and design choices, students were encouraged to convey the philosopher’s message so that anyone could grasp its meaning. Each student produced a poster depicting their art, accompanied by a passage from the philosopher and an explanation of its significance.

The final projects were shared with the class, with each student explaining their chosen text and creative choices. Projects were evaluated based on the depth of analytical thought, connections made within and between texts, as well as organization, proofreading, and participation in class discussions. Throughout the year, students will continue exploring various philosophical schools and their influence on Roman culture, deepening their understanding of Latin as more than a language, but as a gateway to ancient thought and values.