GREAT BOOKS PROGRAM SYLLABUS
The information immediately following is applicable to all eight semesters (i.e.
8 courses) of the Great Books Program, followed by an individual syllabus for
each course. The headings/topics covered below are in YELLOW. Please see the
contact page for contact information to reach the program directors and your
moderators.
| GREAT
BOOKS PROGRAM COURSES Course Title Number |
Sequence/ Semester |
| Great Books of the Ancient Greeks I | 1 |
| Great Books of the Ancient Greeks II | 2 |
| Great Books of the Ancient Romans | 3 |
| Great Books of the Ancient Romans to the Early Middle Ages | 4 |
| Great Books of the High Middle Ages to the Renaissance | 5 |
| Great Books of the Renaissance to the Enlightenment | 6 |
| Great Books of the Enlightenment to the Modern Era | 7 |
| Great Books of the Modern Era | 8 |
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The Great Books seminars are routinely conducted by two (2) moderators. This has
several advantages beside the obvious one of drawing on the learning and
experience of two, rather than one, moderators. Additionally, we sometimes
substitute moderators from different classes or even bring in outside moderators
who are often from major universities or colleges with wide experience in the
classics, literature, philosophy or other related areas. This wealth of
knowledge makes for an enriching experience and also allows us to trade notes on
the students (particularly by the two regular moderators) – to obtain various
perspectives and opinions regarding the assessment of individual students. This
reduces the possibility of individual bias in assessment.
Your moderators will grade you through a mix of continuous assessment (a
combination of seminar participation and written work throughout the semester)
and oral examination at the conclusion of the semester. Following are the
assessment means, methods and percentages utilized by the moderators.
Caveat: As Einstein well said, “Not everything that counts can be counted, and
not everything that can be counted counts.” Learning in the humanities does not
lend itself to numerical quantification, nevertheless, students often want to
have some idea of what is expected of them and how it is determined, at least in
outline, so we have prepared this for that purpose and for use by colleges or
universities into which our students may transfer.
READINGS/POETRY- all students are required to read the weekly assigned reading
(including the weekly poem) as a prerequisite for participation in the weekly
seminar discussion. There is no grade for this element as it is an assumed
preparation and is necessary if a student is going to answer satisfactorily the
questions contained in the weekly writing assignments and, in addition,
satisfactorily participate in classes.
SEMINARS – all students seeking college credit must participate in the weekly,
online, live-audio discussion seminars. These are led by two moderators and last
two hours. Your class time will be at the same time each week, barring
exceptional circumstances. Following are elements of the seminars which will
give you a better idea of what the moderators are evaluating as they learn with
you in the seminars:Prerequisite Reading – students are expected and required to have read the assigned weekly reading and poem. Failure to do so will inevitably result in poor performance in writing, in class discussion, and in oral exams.
Attendance – students may miss up to three (3) seminars a year (i.e. over a two semester period beginning in September and ending in May). Exceptional circumstances may allow for reasonable exceptions.
Participation/Performance Expectations – students are expected to be courteous, considerate, interested and reasonably serious (though the classes are very often punctuated with humor and laughter). The classes, since they conform to the natural human desire to learn and derive pleasure from that, are generally fun and enjoyable learning experiences for students and teachers. As learning experiences they are necessarily focused, so introduction of completely irrelevant topics or digressions is not permitted. However, students are free (and are encouraged) to introduce comments relating the reading to contemporary life, their lives and experiences, or previous readings. The classes also need to be safe emotionally – that is, we do not allow any unkindness, biting sarcasm, personal attacks nor disruptive behavior. The moderators lead the classes and their instructions are meant to be listened to and followed.
Effort – students will be expected to make a genuine effort to listen carefully, to share their reflections or thoughts about the reading by speaking, and to draw conclusions from the discussions. However, students are all different and no uniform standard is expected: some students are naturally reticent, some loquacious, some witty, some dry. Temperaments vary as well. The moderators are skilled at conducting these seminars, recognize these differences and take them into account in evaluating students. It is not who speaks the most nor who dominates the conversation that will obtain the better grades. Rather, it is who makes the best effort, even if little is said by that student.
Growth/Development – students are expected to learn something from these classes and readings, in fact, they are expected to learn a great deal (as detailed in the individual course syllabi following). But they are not expected to develop primarily their short-term memories, stuff them with unrelated factoids and trivia and digorge them onto tests, to be followed a few months later by near total forgetfulness of what was studied. No, rather we expect students to gain understanding of the topics read about and discussed. As Dr. Adler noted, “What is memorized is easily forgotten, what is understood is never forgotten.” We have listed the most commonly discussed topics covered, below.
Rhetorical skills – students will be expected gradually to improve their learning skills: reading, listening, speaking, logic, debate, proper diction, pronunciation, coherance, analysis, synthesis. No beginning student has all of these well-developed. We do not expect that. We do expect students gradually to improve these skills, which, happily, is accomplished almost unconsciously by participation in the seminars each week. Like steel on steel, minds and rhetorical skills are sharpened by discussion. However, this is not a debate class, it is a learning class conducted in an attitude of mutual inquiry – a community learning together. Even the moderators are expected to learn from the readings and seminars. They are not simply lecturers and the students mere information sponges. Rather, the great books are the teachers and the discussions the joint exploration and discovery of the ideas contained therein.
Insight – Einstein said: “I have little patience for scientists who take a block of wood, look for its thinnest part, and drill a number of holes where the drilling is easy.” Insight, penetration of an idea, thoughtful consideration and studious reflection – these are elements of great value and result in learning of the sort we all appreciate and which may help society. Students will be exposed to these in the discussions and will gradually be expected to add these skills – according to their natural capabilities - to the others.
Integration – Each semester of the program builds on the previous semester and prepares for the subsequent one. Like building blocks, or better, the increasingly higher spirals of the eagle as it soars upwards, students are expected gradually to integrate the higher portions of the programs with the lower. In fact, all of the program is recommended for both lower and upper division college credit as all of it is related and follows the chronological sequence of human intellectual discovery.STUDY GUIDES - we have prepared eight (8) excellent, semester, Great Books
Study Guides, one for each course of the Program. These Study Guides contain
related poetry selections as well as summaries, context notes, Things to Think
About While Reading the Book, Study Questions, Questions on Language and For and
Reflection Questions. Students are expected to read the entire Study Guide
selection accompanying the Great Books reading and answer the Study Questions,
Reflection Questions and Questions on Language and Form (in the boxes provided
in the Guides below each such question [students may expand their answers on
additional paper if they wish, but this is not required]) and either email, fax
or snail-mail their answers in so that they arrive no later than on the day
before the regularly scheduled seminar. The moderators may require that some
students submit their answers a day earlier (i.e. two days before the seminar).
ESSAYS – students will be required to submit two (2) essays per semester of
approximately 1500 words (about 5 pages) each.. These will be graded for content
as well as for English language arts, including grammar, syntax, spelling,
vocabulary and style. These essays together constitute ten percent (10%) of the
semester grade.
ORAL EXAMS - At the conclusion of the semester, students will be given an oral
exam in the live-audio internet format of the seminars. These usually last from
30-45 minutes and are conducted by one or both of the moderators. They are
individually scheduled, one student at a time.
EXTRA WORK – students may request extra work in the form of essays to attempt to
raise any grade in the course, including the final grade. However, any proposed
extra work must be approved in advance by a moderator. It is up to the moderator
to allow this or not in each case. Any extra work must be approved, completed
and submitted within ninety (90) days of the last seminar of that class.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION PERCENTS BY METHODWEEKLY ESTIMATED STUDY HOURS FOR GREAT BOOKS COURSES
GRADING SCALE
We utilize the following conventional grading scales, at the option of the
student or school at which we offer the Great Books Progam: the letter grade (A
to F); the 4.0 scale; the 100 point scale; the pass/fail option.
F - If a student receives an F (failing) for a semester grade, that student must
either repeat that semester (with repeat tuition) or drop out of the program.
They may not proceed on to the next level as the program is sequential and each
level is directly built upon the foundation formed at the prior level.
D – While the Program allows students to proceed to the next course level with
any grade above an F (i.e. D- or better), the American Council on Education does
not recommend college credit for any course (semester) completed with less than
a C (whether it be a C-, C or C+) grade. If a student elects to repeat a
course there is repeat tuition cost.
INDEPENDENT STUDY – some students may not be interested in the college credit
requirements nor be able to attend the weekly discussion groups. Such students
may enroll in the program, do the readings, study guides and essays only, and
receive high school level credit for the courses. However no college credit
would be recommended in this mode of study.
WITHDRAWAL - the “W” grade is available, upon request, within the first calendar
month of classes only (i.e. either September or January depending on the start
date) ; withdrawals (W’s) are permanent grades.
INCOMPLETES – if a student quits the seminars or does not submit required work
after the first calendar month of class an “I” for incomplete will be recorded;
incompletes (“I”) may be converted to a letter grade by completing the
semester’s work within any of the next two (2) years offering the same course,
but not thereafter.
ATTENDANCE - required at weekly seminars: Students may miss three (3) seminars
per year (i.e. over two semesters) and they may not miss their oral exams
(exceptions have rarely been made and only for very exceptional cases). Missing
more than thirty (30) minutes of any seminar, except for excusable cause, shall
be counted as a missed seminar.
WAITING LIST – once a class fills (usually a maximum of 22 students per class),
we begin taking names for the next class. If a sufficient number of students
sign up (usually about 15 minimum) then we open that next class, and so on.
Until a class is opened we reserve the right to cancel the class and refund the
tuition paid, in full. Signing up is on a first-come-first-serve basis and a
number of our classes in the past have filled up, leaving names on the waiting
list. So if you are sure you wish to sign up we advise you to do so as soon as
you have made that decision.
CLASS TIMES – the regular weekly time for the seminars will be posted online.
That time will remain the same for that particular class for the entire semester
(and usually for the entire year). Sometimes we open several class times and
studetns may select which class to join for the semester. We reserve the right
to change the class time before the start of the semester, but if we do and the
student does not like or cannot attend the new time they are entitled to a full
tuition refund.
TRANSFERS – because our program is chronologically sequential, all beginning
students start with the Ancient Greeks I. Students may not transfer into the
program except from a similar four-year great books program, and then only into
the equivalent year. Transfers into the online program from independent study
with us may be made if oral/essay examination of the transfer candidate
demonstrates an equivalent grasp of the material.
PRIVACY POLICY - All information (of any type whatsoever) provided to the
program is considered strictly confidential and will not be shared with any
other persons or entities without the prior permission of the student, except at
the request of the student , unless we are required to share such information by
law without giving prior notice to the student.
TUITION/CREDIT – our tuition rates may change from time to time, and are subject
to change without notice, so please review them online. However, once paid they
are good for that entire semester, of course. We do not offer credit, but we
have switched from a yearly (i.e. two semesters) to a semester basis to make
payment easier.
REFUNDS – since the program must contract with our moderators at the beginning
of each year for the entire academic year (who must commit their time for the
entire year), and because this is based on the number of students signed up
initially, no tuition refunds are allowed. So please carefully read over the
program description, student comments, etc. and ask us any questions you may
have before signing up. However, in the event we either cancel a class or change
a class time then the student is entitled to a full tuition refund. Macintosh
computers sometimes work and sometimes do not work with our online live-audio
discussion software, so to be assurred of ability to participate in the
discussions students with Macs must have access to another computer; no refund
will be given for students who fail to arrange access to a non-Mac and want a
refund for that reason.
DISMISSAL POLICY - While we have not had a single instance necessitating the
following policy in five years of operation, like all educational institutions
we reserve the right to dismiss students for improper behavior, either by the
student, their siblings or their parents. Reasons would include (but are not
limited to): persistent incivility (including unkindness, persistent use of
biting sarcasm, personal verbal attacks) or rudeness to our staff or other
students; disorderly, disruptive or abusive behavior; failure to observe class
rules, instructions by moderators, and/or decorum online; harassment of other
students or staff in any manner; use of inappropriate language either online or
in correspondence to us; misuse of the software program we utilize or of other
class materials; yelling or shouting at staff or other students. The Program
moderators and/or directors reserve the sole and exclusive right to determine
when and if any of these policies have been violated, leading to dismissal of
the related student(s), or to decide whether a warning is merited in advance of
any dismissal, or not. In the event of a dismissal for violation of this policy,
there will be no refund of any amounts paid for enrollment or tuition fees for
any student dismissed, regardless of when paid. This includes any online
discussion group tuition, enrollment, books, materials or other fees. Any
services paid for with such forfeited enrollment fees and/or tuition would be
terminated. If the parents are the cause for the dismissal, we reserve the right
to dismiss any/all of their children, as circumstances seem best to dictate to
us. We reserve the right not to accept tuition and enrollments for the same
reasons. Again, this has not happened and we hope it will never be necessary.
This policy exists in order to enable those conducting the program to maintain
its pleasant and encouraging educational environment, if faced with this sort of
problem.
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY - The Great Books Program complies with all federal
and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, gender, creed, marital status, age, disabled or Vietnam-era veteran, or
disability as defined by applicable state and/or federal regulations or
statutes, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational
policies, admissions policies, and other school-administered programs. The Great
Books Program is an Equal Opportunity employer.
TOPICS covered in the course: Students sometimes want to know in advance what
topics will be covered in the Great Books Program and dicussed in the online
seminars. The nature of any serious study of great books is that it will lead
students into various areas of interest, just as it does the online seminar
discussions. Beginning with the work (listed below) the entire class read that
week, the discussions fre quently begin on one topic and bring in topics
from previous discussions and from relevant events of our time, resulting in
their gradual integration. Thus to predict in advance the precise topics for the
week in neither possible nor desireable, lest the result be a dampening and
inappropriate artificial restriction of the conversation. Nevertheless, Dr.
Adler collected the most important topics discussed in the great books, nearly
all of which we inevitably discuss in one or another of the seminars, and
divided them by category, which are listed below.
GREAT BOOKS PROGRAM TOPICS BY CATEGORY
TRANSCENDENTAL
Beauty Being Good and Evil
Same and Other Truth
ETHICS
Beauty Being Courage
Desire Duty Equality
Good and Evil Happiness Honor
Justice Prudence Same and Other
Sin Temperance Truth
Virtue and Vice Wealth Wisdom
POLITICS
Aristocracy Citizen Constitution
Custom and Convention Democracy Equality
Family Government Justice
Labor Liberty Monarchy
Oligarchy Progress Punishment
Revolution Slavery State
Tyranny And Despotism War and Peace
LIBERAL ARTS
Definition Dialectic Hypothesis
Idea Induction Language
Logic Mathematics Reasoning
Rhetoric
METAPHYSICS
Angel Being Cause
Chance Change Equality
Eternity Fate Form
God Infinity Matter
Metaphysics Nature Necessity and Contingency
One And Many Opposition Principle
Quality Quantity Relation
Same and Other Space Time
Universal and Particular World
ANTHROPOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY
Animal Desire Emotion
Experience Habit Immortality
Judgment Knowledge Life and Death
Love Man Memory and Imagination
Mind Opinion Pleasure And Pain
Prophecy Sense Sign and Symbol
Soul Will
PHYSICS
Astronomy and Cosmology Cause Chance
Element Infinity Mathematics
Matter Mechanics Nature
Quality Quantity Relation
Space Time World
SUBJECTS
Art Education Evolution
History Language Law
Logic Mathematics Mechanics
Medicine Metaphysics Philosophy
Physics Poetry Religion
Rhetoric Science Theology
INDIVIDUAL SYLLABI FOR EACH COURSE/SEMESTER
Course #1, Title: Great Books of the Ancient Greeks I
Course Materials: Students will need either to purchase, borrow or download the
books assigned for the weekly readings (see Reading List below for book list).
These are all great classics and may be obtained from your library or on the
internet, or may be purchased from the bookstore at greatbooksacademy.org (where
you may also view the editions we recommend [but do not require]).
Additionally, students will need to read the weekly poem contained in the
semester Study Guide, and the Study Guide itself for this semester. The Study
Guides and books may be obtained from the bookstore, internet address above.
Students will also need access to a personal computer with modem for internet
access, and any simple microphone (usually $10-20) for use with their computer.
Macintosh computers sometimes work and sometimes do not work with our online
live-audio discussion software, so to be assurred of ability to participate in
the discussions students with Macs must have access to another computer.
Location: Cyberspace/Distance Education (via live-audio internet, and
correspondence); see Contact page for contact information.
Length: Weekly Seminars begin the week of September 6, 2005 through the week of
December 19,2005 (see weekly schedule below). Oral exams are scheduled
individually beginning mid-December (see chart above with estimated student
study hours).
Objective: To familiarize students with the Great Books of the ancient Greeks
from Homer through Herodotus (see the reading list below), why these books are
considered great books, and how the Great Books of the Ancient Greeks relate to
and influence our lives today.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to: discuss, reference and in varying measure understand the specific works
studied; better exercise the liberal arts of reading, writing, speaking,
listening and thinking; have a deeper understanding of the persisting questions
of human existence; integrate the contributions of various disciplines studied
towards understanding such questions; have a more broadly-based liberal
education derived from the period works studied; investigate careers and pursue
career changes by being exposured to several disciplines; take part in the
ongoing intellectual dialogue about the great ideas contained in the most
influential books of Western civilization, often called the Great Conversation,
by which contemporary life is knowingly or unknowingly governed; function more
effectively as a member of a democratic society with independent judgement.
Instruction: Major topics (see Topics, above) covered in the course inevitably
are those which have been of enduring interest to great authors thoughout
classical and Western civilization even to our day, often called “the great
ideas,”such as: justice and freedom; intelligence and character; war and peace;
happiness and wisdom. Methods of instruction include extensive reading, oral and
written testing for grading, essay preparation, and weekly online classroom
participation in discussions with other students who have read the same text
that week (see Assessment Criteria, above).
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate
degree category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6
semester hours in Liberal Arts, Literature or Great Books which also may be
delineated as 3 credit hours in Literature and 3 credit hours in Philosophy or
Critical Thinking.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Course #2, Title: Great Books of the Ancient Greeks II
Course Materials: Students will need either to purchase, borrow or download the
books assigned for the weekly readings (see Reading List below for book list).
These are all great classics and may be obtained from your library or on the
internet, or may be purchased from the bookstore at greatbooksacademy.org (where
you may also view the editions we recommend [but do not require]).
Additionally, students will need to read the weekly poem contained in the
semester Study Guide, and the Study Guide itself for this semester. The Study
Guides and books may be obtained from the bookstore, internet address above.
Students will also need access to a personal computer with modem for internet
access, and any simple microphone (usually $10-20) for use with their computer.
Macintosh computers sometimes work and sometimes do not work with our online
live-audio discussion software, so to be assurred of ability to participate in
the discussions students with Macs must have access to another computer.
Location: Cyberspace/Distance Education (via live-audio internet, and
correspondence); see Contact page for contact information.
Length: Weekly Seminars begin the week of January 8, 2006 through the week of
May 7. Oral exams begin the week of May 14,2006 (see Chart above with estimated
student study hours).
Objective: To familiarize students with the great ideas contained in the
original works written by the greatest ancient Greeks (not covered in the first
semester course) from Plato through Hippocrates, which are foundational to
classical and Western civilization (see course syllabus for specific titles and
authors studied).
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to: discuss, reference and in varying measure understand the specific works
studied; better exercise the liberal arts of reading, writing, speaking,
listening and thinking; have a deeper understanding of the persisting questions
of human existence; integrate the contributions of various disciplines studied
towards understanding such questions; have a more broadly-based liberal
education derived from the period works studied; investigate careers and pursue
career changes by being exposured to several disciplines; take part in the
ongoing intellectual dialogue about the great ideas contained in the most
influential books of Western civilization, often called the Great Conversation,
by which contemporary life is knowingly or unknowingly governed; function more
effectively as a member of a democratic society with independent judgement.
Instruction: Major topics covered in the course are those which have been of
enduring interest to authors throughout classical and Western civilization,
often called “the great ideas,”such as justice and freedom; intelligence and
character; war and peace; happiness and wisdom. Methods of instruction include
reading, oral and written testing, essay preparation, and weekly online
classroom participation in discussions with other students.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester
hours in Liberal Arts, Literature or Great Books which also may be delineated as
3 credit hours in Literature and 3 credit hours in Philosophy or Critical
Thinking (5/05).
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Course #3 Title: Great Books of the Ancient Romans
Course Materials: Students will need either to purchase, borrow or download the
books assigned for the weekly readings (see Reading List below for book list).
These are all great classics and may be obtained from your library or on the
internet, or may be purchased from the bookstore at greatbooksacademy.org (where
you may also view the editions we recommend [but do not require]).
Additionally, students will need to read the weekly poem contained in the
semester Study Guide, and the Study Guide itself for this semester. The Study
Guides and books may be obtained from the bookstore, internet address above.
Students will also need access to a personal computer with modem for internet
access, and any simple microphone (usually $10-20) for use with their computer.
Macintosh computers sometimes work and sometimes do not work with our online
live-audio discussion software, so to be assurred of ability to participate in
the discussions students with Macs must have access to another computer.
Location: Cyberspace/Distance Education (via live-audio internet, and
correspondence); see Contact page for contact information.
Length: Weekly Seminars begin the week of September 6, 2005 through the week of
December 19,2005. Oral exams are scheduled individually beginning mid-December
(see Chart above with estimated student study hours).
Dates: January 2004 - Present
Objective: To familiarize students with the great ideas contained in the
original works written by the ancient Romans, from Virgil through Galen.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to: discuss, reference and understand the specific works studied; exercise
the liberal arts of reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking; have an
understanding of the persisting questions of human existence; integrate the
contributions of various disciplines studied towards understanding such
questions; have a broadly-based liberal education derived from the period works
studied; investigate careers and pursue career changes by being exposed to
several disciplines; take part in the ongoing intellectual dialogue about the
ideas contained in influential books of Western civilization (often called the
Great Conversation); function more effectively as a humanistic member of
society.
Instruction: Major topics covered in the course inevitably are those which have
been of enduring interest to authors throughout classical and Western
civilization even to our day, often called “the great ideas” such as: justice
and freedom; intelligence and character; war and peace; happiness and wisdom.
Methods of instruction include reading, oral and written testing for grading,
essay preparation, and weekly live audio classroom participation in discussions.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester
hours in Liberal Arts, Literature or Great Books which also may be delineated as
3 credit hours in Literature and 3 credit hours in Philosophy or Critical
Thinking (5/05).
………………………………………………………………………………………………Course #4, Title: Great Books of the Ancient Romans to the Early Middle Ages
Course Materials: Students will need either to purchase, borrow or download the
books assigned for the weekly readings (see Reading List below for book list).
These are all great classics and may be obtained from your library or on the
internet, or may be purchased from the bookstore at greatbooksacademy.org (where
you may also view the editions we recommend [but do not require]).
Additionally, students will need to read the weekly poem contained in the
semester Study Guide, and the Study Guide itself for this semester. The Study
Guides and books may be obtained from the bookstore, internet address above.
Students will also need access to a personal computer with modem for internet
access, and any simple microphone (usually $10-20) for use with their computer.
Macintosh computers sometimes work and sometimes do not work with our online
live-audio discussion software, so to be assurred of ability to participate in
the discussions students with Macs must have access to another computer.
Location: Cyberspace/Distance Education (via live-audio internet, and
correspondence); see Contact page for contact information.
Length: Weekly Seminars begin the week of January 8, 2006 through the week of
May 7. Oral exams begin the week of May 14,2006 (see Chart above with estimated
student study hours).
Dates: January 2004 - Present
Objective: To familiarize students with the great ideas contained in the
original works written by the ancient Romans and writers through the early
Middle Ages, from Plotinus through Dante.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to discuss, reference and understand the specific works studied; exercise
the liberal arts of reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking; have an
understanding of the persisting questions of human existence; integrate the
contributions of various disciplines studied towards understanding such
questions; have a broadly-based liberal education derived from the period works
studied; investigate careers and pursue career changes by being exposed to
several disciplines; take part in the ongoing intellectual dialogue about the
ideas contained in influential books of Western civilization (often called the
Great Conversation); and function effectively as a humanistic member of
society.
Instruction: Major topics covered in the course inevitably are those which have
been of enduring interest to great authors throughout classical and Western
civilization, often called “the great ideas”. Methods of instruction include
reading, oral and written testing for grading, essay preparation, and weekly
live audio classroom participation in discussions.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester
hours in Liberal Arts, Literature or Great Books which also may be delineated as
3 credit hours in Literature and 3 credit hours in Philosophy or Critical
Thinking.
………………………………………………………………………………………….…Course #5, Title: Great Books of the High Middle Ages to the Renaissance
Course Materials: Students will need either to purchase, borrow or download the
books assigned for the weekly readings (see Reading List below for book list).
These are all great classics and may be obtained from your library or on the
internet, or may be purchased from the bookstore at greatbooksacademy.org (where
you may also view the editions we recommend [but do not require]).
Additionally, students will need to read the weekly poem contained in the
semester Study Guide, and the Study Guide itself for this semester. The Study
Guides and books may be obtained from the bookstore, internet address above.
Students will also need access to a personal computer with modem for internet
access, and any simple microphone (usually $10-20) for use with their computer.
Macintosh computers sometimes work and sometimes do not work with our online
live-audio discussion software, so to be assurred of ability to participate in
the discussions students with Macs must have access to another computer.
Location: Cyberspace/Distance Education (via live-audio internet, and
correspondence); see Contact page for contact information.
Length: Weekly Seminars begin the week of September 6, 2005 through the week of
December 19,2005. Oral exams are scheduled individually beginning mid-December
(see Chart above with estimated student study hours).
Objective: To familiarize students with the seminal ideas contained in the
original works written by great authors in the High Middle Ages to the
Renaissance, from Chaucer through Montaigne.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to discuss, reference and analyze the specific works studied; exercise the
liberal arts of reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking; have a
deeper understanding of the persisting questions of human existence; integrate
the contributions of various disciplines studied towards understanding such
questions; have a more broadly-based liberal education derived from the period
works studied; investigate careers and pursue career changes by being exposed
to several disciplines; take part in the ongoing intellectual dialogue about the
ideas contained in the most influential books of Western civilization, sometimes
called the Great Conversation; function more effectively as a humanistic and
thoughtful member of society.
Instruction: Major topics covered in the course inevitably are those which have
been of enduring interest to great authors throughout classical and Western
civilization, often called “the great ideas” (justice and freedom; intelligence
and character; war and peace; happiness and wisdom). Methods of instruction
include reading, oral and written testing for grading, essay preparation, and
weekly live classroom participation in discussions via the internet with other
students and at least two moderators.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester
hours in Liberal Arts, Literature or Great Books which also may be delineated as
3 credit hours in Literature and 3 credit hours in Philosophy or Critical
Thinking.
………………………………………………………………………………………………Course #6, Title: Great Books of the Renaissance to the Enlightenment
Course Materials: Students will need either to purchase, borrow or download the
books assigned for the weekly readings (see Reading List below for book list).
These are all great classics and may be obtained from your library or on the
internet, or may be purchased from the bookstore at greatbooksacademy.org (where
you may also view the editions we recommend [but do not require]).
Additionally, students will need to read the weekly poem contained in the
semester Study Guide, and the Study Guide itself for this semester. The Study
Guides and books may be obtained from the bookstore, internet address above.
Students will also need access to a personal computer with modem for internet
access, and any simple microphone (usually $10-20) for use with their computer.
Macintosh computers sometimes work and sometimes do not work with our online
live-audio discussion software, so to be assurred of ability to participate in
the discussions students with Macs must have access to another computer.
Location: Cyberspace/Distance Education (via live-audio internet, and
correspondence); see Contact page for contact information.
Length: Weekly Seminars begin the week of January 15, 2006 through the week of
May 7. Oral exams begin the week of May 14,2006 (see Chart above with estimated
student study hours).
Dates: January 2004 - Present
Objective: To familiarize students with the seminal ideas contained in the
original works written by great authors in the High Middle Ages to the
Renaissance, from Shakespeare through Pascal.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to discuss, reference and analyze the specific works studied; exercise the
liberal arts of reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking; have a
deeper understanding of the persisting questions of human existence; integrate
the contributions of various disciplines studied towards understanding such
questions; have a more broadly-based liberal education derived from the period
works studied; investigate careers and pursue career changes by being exposed
to several disciplines; take part in the ongoing intellectual dialogue about the
ideas contained in the most influential books of Western civilization, sometimes
called the Great Conversation; function more effectively as a humanistic and
thoughtful member of society.
Instruction: Major topics covered in the course inevitably are those which have
been of enduring interest to great authors throughout classical and Western
civilization, often called “the great ideas” (justice and freedom; intelligence
and character; war and peace; happiness and wisdom). Methods of instruction
include reading, oral and written testing for grading, essay preparation, and
weekly live classroom participation in discussions via the internet with other
students and at least two moderators.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester
hours in Liberal Arts, Literature or Great Books, which also may be delineated
as 3 credit hours in Literature and 3 credit hours in Philosophy or Critical
Thinking.
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Course #7, Title: Great Books of the Enlightenment to the Modern Era
Course Materials: Students will need either to purchase, borrow or download the
books assigned for the weekly readings (see Reading List below for book list).
These are all great classics and may be obtained from your library or on the
internet, or may be purchased from the bookstore at greatbooksacademy.org (where
you may also view the editions we recommend [but do not require]).
Additionally, students will need to read the weekly poem contained in the
semester Study Guide, and the Study Guide itself for this semester. The Study
Guides and books may be obtained from the bookstore, internet address above.
Students will also need access to a personal computer with modem for internet
access, and any simple microphone (usually $10-20) for use with their computer.
Macintosh computers sometimes work and sometimes do not work with our online
live-audio discussion software, so to be assurred of ability to participate in
the discussions students with Macs must have access to another computer.
Location: Cyberspace/Distance Education (via live-audio internet, and
correspondence); see Contact page for contact information.
Length: Weekly Seminars begin the week of September 6, 2005 through the week of
December 19,2005. Oral exams are scheduled individually beginning mid-December
(see Chart above with estimated student study hours).
Objective: To familiarize students with the seminal ideas contained in the
original works written by great authors in the Enlightenment to the Modern Era,
from Locke through De Tocqueville.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to discuss, reference and analyze the specific works studied; exercise the
liberal arts of reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking; have a
deeper understanding of the persisting questions of human existence; integrate
the contributions of various disciplines studied towards understanding such
questions; have a more broadly-based liberal education derived from the period
works studied; investigate careers and pursue career changes by being exposed
to several disciplines; take part in the ongoing intellectual dialogue about the
ideas contained in the most influential books of Western civilization, sometimes
called the Great Conversation; function more effectively as a humanistic and
thoughtful member of society.
Instruction: Major topics covered in the course inevitably are those which have
been of enduring interest to great authors throughout classical and Western
civilization, often called “the great ideas” (justice and freedom; intelligence
and character; war and peace; happiness and wisdom). Methods of instruction
include reading, oral and written testing for grading, essay preparation, and
weekly live classroom participation in discussions via the internet with other
students and at least two moderators.
Credit Recommendation: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree
category or in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester
hours in Liberal Arts, Literature or Great Books, which also may be delineated
as 3 credit hours in Literature and 3 credit hours in Philosophy or Critical
Thinking.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Course #8, Title: Great Books of the Modern Era
Course Materials: Students will need either to purchase, borrow or download the
books assigned for the weekly readings (see Reading List below for book list).
These are all great classics and may be obtained from your library or on the
internet, or may be purchased from the bookstore at greatbooksacademy.org (where
you may also view the editions we recommend [but do not require]).
Additionally, students will need to read the weekly poem contained in the
semester Study Guide, and the Study Guide itself for this semester. The Study
Guides and books may be obtained from the bookstore, internet address above.
Students will also need access to a personal computer with modem for internet
access, and any simple microphone (usually $10-20) for use with their computer.
Macintosh computers sometimes work and sometimes do not work with our online
live-audio discussion software, so to be assurred of ability to participate in
the discussions students with Macs must have access to another computer.
Location: Cyberspace/Distance Education (via live-audio internet, and
correspondence); see Contact page for contact information.
Length: Weekly Seminars begin the week of January 8, 2006 through the week of
May 7. Oral exams begin the week of May 14,2006 (see Chart above with estimated
student study hours).
Objective: To familiarize students with the seminal ideas contained in the
original works written by great authors in the Modern Era, from Thoreau through
Einstein.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be
able to discuss, reference and analyze the specific works studied; better
exercise the liberal arts of reading, writing, speaking, listening and thinking;
have a deeper understanding of the persisting questions of human existence;
integrate the contributions of various disciplines studied towards understanding
such questions; have a more broadly-based liberal education derived from the
period works studied; investigate careers and pursue career changes by being
exposed to several disciplines; take part in the ongoing intellectual dialogue
about the ideas contained in the most influential books of Western civilization,
sometimes called the Great Conversation; function more effectively as a
humanistic and thoughtful member of society.
Instruction: Major topics covered in the course inevitably are those which have
been of enduring interest to great authors throughout classical and Western
civilization, often called “the great ideas” (justice and freedom; intelligence
and character; war and peace; happiness and wisdom). Methods of instruction
include reading, oral and written testing for grading, essay preparation, and
weekly live classroom participation in discussions via the internet with other
students and at least two moderators.
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