Description and goals of the course: This course serves as an introduction to the history and evolution of the modern Romance languages, with emphasis on French and Spanish. We will begin with Latin and work our way forward in time, comparing and contrasting the changes the speakers make, most of which happen unconsciously. While much of the course will center on phonology and morphology, we will also consider changes in syntax and the lexicon. Additionally, we will examine factors, both physical and social, that influence language change.