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 across the curriculum.

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 abridgement and editing of the works read, and by study aids. In addition to the abridged weekly readings, three complete works of literature are read throughout the year. Literary concepts and formal analysis questions form part of the weekly exercises.

History & Composition: This course is part of an integrated course cluster that includes History 2: The Christian Age and Composition 2. Self-paced and Live course options are available.

Reading List: This cycle covers the great age of synthesis from the Incarnation to the Renaissance.

Great Book Excerpts & Themes (approximate)
Gospel of Matthew—Moral Teaching of Christ
Gospels of Matthew, Mark, & Luke—The Most Holy Sacrament
Gospel of John—The Divine Logos
St. Ignatius of Antioch—The Martyr's Love
Origen—The Intellectualization of Christianity
Galen—Early Medicine, Modern Science, & Ancient Philosophy
Plotinus—Beauty
Nicean Crede—Unity of the Faith
St. Augustine—The Lure of Evil
St. Augustine—Knowing God & One's Self
Boethius—God's Omnipotence & Man's Freedom
St. Benedict—Work & Prayer
St. Patrick of Ireland—Mission
St. John Damascene—Summation of the Age of Doctors
Al-Farabi—True Philosophy & the Gifts of the Islamic Tradition
The Song of Roland—Feudalism & Fighting for God
The Venerable Bede—Pilgrimage
Pope Urban II & St. Bernard of Clairvaux—Crusade
St. Jacobus de Voragine—The Golden Legend & Veneration of the Saints
St. Peter Damian—Christian Poetry
St. Hildegard von Bingen—Chant
Maimonides—Cause, Science, Design, & God
St. Francis of Assisi—Radicalism
Chretien de Troyes—Arthurian Romance
Roger Bacon—Experimental Methodology
St. Thomas Aquinas—Wisdom & Divine Truth
St. Thomas Aquinas—Reason & Faith

Complete Works
St. Luke's Narrative: Gospel and Acts of the Apostles
Beowulf, translated by J.R.R. Tolkien
Inferno by Dante, translated by Dorothy Sayers

Recommended Age Range: 9th grade
Prerequisites: None
Required & Recommended Books: See The Self-Paced Course Book List
Required Tech: computer and internet connection capable of video playback

Components: LIVE class includes the following for each week: 90 minute LIVE online Socratic discussion with other students, the Reading, Agenda, Video Lecture (background on the author and concepts of which to be aware), Automated Quiz, Audio Recording of Reading, Activity Sheet (reading questions and literary concepts), Parent Guide. There are three exams per year, several of which are usually oral.

ACCESS? Login credentials are emailed to you after purchase within 1-5 Business Days. Access is not automated nor immediate.