This course is a study of the nature and faculties of the human person which underpins the vision of classical education to answer two questions: who is being educated, and what for. Special attention is paid to theological anthropology in the Catholic tradition as contrasted with materialist accounts of the human person. Topics include: the connection between anthropology and pedagogy; faculty psychology in the tradition of Augustine and Aquinas, including the perfection of faculties by the virtues; the nobility and importance of the vocation of teaching; the right to education; and the role of education in social renewal and social justice.

As a history of classical education from the Greeks to the present day, this course surveys the development of the Western tradition of paideia, including the liberal arts of the Trivium and Quadrivium. As a theory of classical education, this course identifies and elucidates underlying principles of classical teaching which can be applied at various levels of education and in various disciplines including the theory and principles of good seminar leadership and the importance of fostering appreciation for beauty and a sense of awe. Attention is paid to the points of continuity and rupture between classical education and progressive education.

Reading in the classical tradition is an exercise in self-formation, shaping the imagination, directing thinking, and forming habits of acting and feeling. This course is a practical, wholistic introduction to the art of teaching reading in a classical school. It applies the principles of classical education to the teaching of reading at different grade levels, with an emphasis on grammar, literature, poetry, and fiction. Topics include: determining challenging, grade-appropriate instruction; applying seminar leadership and Socratic teaching to the language arts; comparing different classical methods and curricula; and integrating reading across the curriculum.

This course is a practical, wholistic introduction to the art of teaching mathematics in a classical school. It applies the principles of classical education to the teaching of mathematics at different grade levels, with an emphasis on classic methods of solving mathematical problems and the importance of quantitative reasoning to a liberal education. Topics include: determining challenging, grade-appropriate instruction; applying seminar leadership and Socratic teaching to mathematics; comparing different classical methods and curricula; and integrating mathematical reasoning across the curriculum.

Classical liberal education is Socratic and experiential. This course is a practical, wholistic introduction to the art of teaching the natural sciences. It applies the principles of classical education to teaching science at different grade levels, covering both scientific consensus and direct experience of the scientific process. Topics include: determining challenging, grade-appropriate instruction; applying seminar leadership and Socratic teaching to the sciences, especially in through lab experiments; comparing different Classical methods and curricula; and integrating the sciences across the curriculum.

This course is a practical, wholistic introduction to the art of teaching geography, history, and the development of cultures. It applies the principles of classical education to teaching geography and culture at different grade levels. Topics include: determining challenging, grade-appropriate instruction; applying seminar leadership and Socratic teaching to geography and history; comparing different Classical methods and curricula; and integrating geography and history across the curriculum.

This course is a practical, wholistic introduction to teaching the Catholic faith. It applies the principles of classical education to teaching the faith at different grade levels, emphasizing biblical and doctrinal literacy, moral and liturgical formation, and personal experience and prayer. Topics include: determining challenging, grade-appropriate instruction as envisioned by the U.S. bishops; promoting the experience of prayer; comparing different classical methods and curricula; and integrating faith formation across the curriculum.

This course is a practical, wholistic introduction to the art of teaching language in a classical school. It applies the principles of classical education to the teaching of the second languages at different grade levels, with an emphasis on teaching Latin; however, the pedagogical methods discussed have application to modern languages, as well. Topics include: determining challenging, grade-appropriate instruction; applying seminar leadership and Socratic teaching to second languages, including living Latin; comparing different classical methods and curricula; and integrating second language learning across the curriculum.

This course immerses students in the great literary, political, and philosophical books of the ancient Greco-Roman world. This immersion has two distinct goals. First, students will better understand the enduring questions which animate the Western tradition of classical paideia and will formulate their own responses to those questions. Second, students will study the theory and art of leading seminar-style discussions, so that the course serves as a practicum on seminar-style pedagogy for future teachers.

This course immerses students in the great literary, political, and philosophical books of the medieval Latin West. This immersion has two distinct goals. First, students will better understand the enduring questions which animate the Western tradition of classical paideia and will formulate their own responses to those questions. Second, students will study the theory and art of leading seminar-style discussions, so that the course serves as a practicum on seminar-style pedagogy for future teachers.

This course immerses students in the great literary, political, and philosophical books of the Renaissance. This immersion has two distinct goals. First, students will better understand the enduring questions which animate the Western tradition of classical paideia and will formulate their own responses to those questions. Second, students will study the theory and art of leading seminar-style discussions, so that the course serves as a practicum on seminar-style pedagogy for future teachers.

This course immerses students in the great literary, political, and philosophical books of the modern world. This immersion has two distinct goals. First, students will better understand the enduring questions which animate the Western tradition of classical paideia and will formulate their own responses to those questions. Second, students will study the theory and art of leading seminar-style discussions, so that the course serves as a practicum on seminar-style pedagogy for future teachers.

Capstone project for graduate degrees.