Great Books Primer: Intro to Western Civilization - TNSP

Self-Paced Courses are accessed through our learning management system. The students are guided by clear weekly schedules, instructional videos, and automated assessments. Courses are written to be completed in one academic year, but students set their own pace. No grading is provided, but answer keys are available for most courses. Access is for one calendar year.

Course Description: Our great books courses are 3-in-1 classes that integrate Literature, Philosophy, and Theology into a single reading sequence. Courses are organized by historical period, with purposeful repetition:

The class format is that of a "great books" seminar--students read primary works from the great authors and authoresses of Western Civilization and then discuss them in a round-table format, thus joining what has been referred to as the "Great Conversation." The students learn to read, listen, speak, relish, and dispute the true, good, and beautiful things that "our tradition" has to offer.

Though primary works are read, care is taken to see that students are not overburdened, through abridgment and editing of the works read and study aids.

History & Composition: This course is part of an integrated course cluster that includes History Primer: World Civilizations and Composition Primer. Self-paced and Live course options are available.

This course is an introduction to the Great Books method and to western civilization, covering all three of the historical cycles found in our Great Books courses: Ancient & Classical Times, the Christian Age, and Modern Times. Readings are no more than a few pages and the discussions are specifically crafted for younger students.

Reading Topic List:

• Abraham, Chosen & Covenant
• Ruth, Faithfulness
• Psalms & Proverbs
• David, The Heart of Man
• Esther, Courage & Providence
• Aesop's Fables
• Hesiod, Justice & Work
• Herodotus, Happiness and History
• Alcestis, Love
• Virgil, Funeral Games
• Cicero, Friendship
• Gospel of St. Matthew, Parable
• Gospel of St. John, Lazarus
• Gospel of St. John, Passion, Death, and Resurrection
• Acts of the Apostles, Spread of the Gospel
• Epistle of St. Paul, Theological Virtues
• Didache, Way of Life
• St. Ambrose, Hymn
• St. Augustine, Confession
• Edict of Milan, Religious Freedom
• Rule of St. Columba, Monasticism
• Einhard, The Life of Charlemagne
• Chaucer, Canterbury Tales
• Shakespeare, As You Like It
• Milton, Paradise Lost
• Edmund Burke, Revolution in France
• William Wordsworth, Poems

Prerequisites: None
Recommended Age Range: 7th grade
Required & Recommended Books: See The Self-Paced Course Book List
Required Tech: Computer and internet connection capable of video playback.

Components: Reading, Agenda, Video Lecture (background on the author and concepts of which to be aware), Automated Quiz, Audio Recording of Reading, and Activity Sheet (Reading Questions & periodic writing assignments).