The Great Books Tutorial has been designed to develop Christian minds that will understand and discern the influences that have shaped our culture. Western history is a tremendously rich saga. Studying the great books gives us the opportunity to see first hand the ideas that have directed our cultural history. The reading of the great books culminates a good classical education as it requires all the skills that classical education aims to develop in a child.
The Great Books Tutorial is offered through the Internet and in Escondido. The tutorial meets for two hours a week and we discuss the readings listed in the curriculum guide. I will act as tutor and guide the discussion so that the necessary fundamentals are understood from each work. It is expected that the students will have done their readings with enough care that they are ready to articulate and discuss their understanding of the texts.
The tutorial will be open to all whose reading abilities are suited to the readings required and who are capable of benefiting from and contributing to the discussion. Papers will be assigned that are submitted via e-mail. They will be critiqued and returned with guidance; however, no grades will be assigned for either the papers or for the tutorial as a whole. At the end of each semester a written evaluation will be given of each child's performance in the tutorial.
All of the editions I recommend can be purchased through this web page at a discount by clicking on the titles below.
In addition to the GBT readings, lectures from Great Courses Plus are recommended as well. The courses have been carefully chosen to supplement the students reading through textual commentary, music , art , architecture, history, philosophy, theology, archeology , geography and science . Though I guide the students through our readings in class, these optional lectures provide a fine opportunity to understand more of the cultural background that surrounds and shapes our readings. You will notice that many weeks have quite a number of recommended lectures. It is not expected that students will watch all of them, however, depending on their own particular interests, the lectures give the students additional opportunity to enrich their own understanding from a number of different possible perspectives. Whether your students find art, theology or engineering more interesting, the lectures will help them deepen the background they bring to their readings. This lecture service costs $180 a year for ten accounts- just $18 per account!
Please note that Euclid's Elements is required before studying Great Books III. The Great Books Tutorial assumes that the student is familiar with the Geometry found in Euclid's Elements. Euclid's Elements can be studied in place of a conventional high school Euclidian Geometry class. For further information, please see http://www.gbt.org/geo.html .
All evaluations will be written by June 7. All work to be considered must be turned in by that time. For the complete five-year reading list, see our curriculum guide. To see our class times please go to Class times
Register for the Great Books Tutorial
Great Books I
Students enrolled in GBT II must have completed Euclidean Geometry or be enrolled simultaneously.
Local students (not online) must complete two semesters of Choir with Mr. Hinrichs during GBT I or III.
2. Iliad, Books 3-5, pp.128-195 Alphabet Video
3. Iliad, Books 6-9, pp.195-276 Video Video
4. Iliad, Books 10-13, pp. 276-369 Video Video
5. Iliad, Books 15-18, pp. 387-488 Video Video
6. Iliad, Books 19-24, pp. 488-617 Video Video
7. Odyssey, Books 1-8, pp. 1-143 *Paper 1 due* Intro Video
8. Odyssey, Books 9-15, pp. 143-287 Video Video Video
9. Odyssey,Books 16-24, pp. 287-463 Video Video
10. The Three Theban Plays, Oedipus the King(Oedipus Rex), pp. 159-198 Performance Intro Video
11. The Three Theban Plays, Oedipus the King(Oedipus Rex), pp. 198-251 Video Video *Paper 2 due*
12. The Three Theban Plays, Oedipus at Colonnus Video Video
13. The Three Theban Plays, Antigone, pp. 59-96 Video Video
14. The Three Theban Plays, Antigone, pp. 96-128 Video Video
15. The Oresteia, Agamemnon, pp. 99-139 *Paper 3 due* Video Video
16. The Oresteia, Agamemnon, pp. 139-173 *First semester questions due* Video Video
17. The Oresteia, The Libation Bearers, pp. 173-227 Video Video
Video
. 18. The Oresteia,The Eumenides, pp. 227-279 Video Video
19. Aristotle, The Poetics Video Video Video
20. Plato, Gorgias; 447 - 482 Video Video
21. Plato, Gorgias- 482 - 504 Video Video Video
22. Plato, Gorgias- 504 - 527 Video Video
23. Plutarch's Lives; Theseus, Solon, Themistocles; *Paper 4 due* Video , Video , Video ,
24. Plutarch's Lives; Aristides, Cimon,Pericles; Video , Video
25. Plutarch's Lives; Nicias, Alcibiades, Lysander; Video , Video , Video
26. The Histories; Read Book I;Book II, chps 50-53, 112-120, 141; Book III, chps 37, 38, 60, 66-87 Video Video Video
27. The Histories; Read Book V, chps. 91-93, 105; Book VI, chps 42-48, 56-72, 94-120;Book VII Video Video Video
28. The Histories; Read Book VIII; Book IX *Paper 5 due* Video Video Video
29. Plato, Euthyphro Video Video
30. Plato, Apology Video Video
31. Plato, Phaedo- beginning to 73 Video Video
32. Plato, Phaedo- 73 to 90a Video
33. Plato, Phaedo- 90a to end Video *Paper 6 Due*
34. Exhortation to the Greeks; Chpts. I-IV Video Video *Second semester questions due*
35. Exhortation to the Greeks Chpts. V-XII - Video Video
PLEASE NOTE- Students need to keep their own record of their scores to be handed in at the end of each semester.
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Iliad ; Homer; Penquin Classics, translator-Fagles, ISBN 0670835102 AUDIO (OPTIONAL)
Odyssey ; Homer; Vintage Classics, translator- Fitzgerald, ISBN 9780679410478 AUDIO (OPTIONAL)
The Three Theban Plays , Sophocles; Penquin Classics, translator- Fagles, ISBN0-14-044425-4
The Oresteia ; Aeschylus; Penquin Classics, translator-Fagles, ISBN 0-14-044333-9
Basic Works of Aristotle ; Aristotle; (Poetics) The Modern Library, Random House, Editor- McKeon, ISBN 0394416104
Collected Dialogues of Plato ; Plato; Princeton University Press; ISBN 0-691-09718-3
Plutarch's Lives Volume 1 ; Plutarch; Modern Library Classics; ISBN 9780375756764
The Histories ; Herodotus; The Landmark Herodotus, Pantheon Press, ISBN 0375421092
Exhortation to the Greeks (Exhortation to the Heathen) ; Clement of Alexandria; ISBN- 150259420X
Great Books II
Students enrolled in GBT II must have completed
Euclidean Geometry
or be enrolled simultaneously.
Students may also take the
Classical Greek tutorial
for free, live or through download.
Local students (not online) must complete two semesters of Choir with Mr. Hinrichs before entering GBT IV.
2. Peloponnesian War; II,47-end; III; IV, 1-41 Video Video Video Video
3. Peloponnesian War; IV, 42-end; V; Video Video Video
4. Peloponnesian War; VI, VII, VIII Video Video Video Video
5. Republic; (Plato) I-II 367e Audio Video Video
6. Republic; II 367e-IV 427c; Politics (Aristotle) VIII 3-5 Video
7. Republic; IV 427d-VI 502c Video Video *Paper 1 due*
8. Republic; VI502d-VII Video Video Video
9. Republic; VIII-IX Video Video Video
10. Republic; X Video Video Video
11. Aeneid, I-V *Paper 2 due* Video Video Video Video Video
12. Aeneid, VI-VIII Video Video Video
13. Aeneid, IX-XII Video Video Video
14. Nicomachean Ethics(Aristotle) I-II Video Video
15. Nicomachean Ethics III; IV 2-3; V 1-7 Video *Paper 3 due*
16. Nicomachean Ethics VI; VII 1-3; VII 11-14 Video Video
17. Nicomachean Ethics VIII; IX Video Video
18. Nicomachean Ethics X Video Video
19. De Anima II: 1-7, 11-12 (Aristotle) Video Video
20. De Anima III: 3-13; I: 4, 408b 18-30 Video - Video
21. Plutarch's Lives: Lives of Caesar and Cato the Younger *Paper 4 due* - Video Video Video
22. The Annals of Imperial Rome: BooksI-II; (p 31-119 in penquin) Video Video
23. The Annals of Imperial Rome: Books III-VI; XV.32-47 (p. 119-227 & 360-367 in Penquin) Video Video Video
24. Theaetetus (Plato) beginning to 186 Video Video
25. Theaetetus 186 to end Video Video
26. Physics (Aristotle) IV 1-5, 8; III 4-6 Video Video *Paper 5 due*
27. Physics VIII 1, 5-7, 9-10 Video Video
28. Metaphysics (Aristotle) I 1; IV 1-4; VI 4 Video Video Video
29. Metaphysics VII 1-4, 16-17;VIII 1-2, 6; IX 6,8 Video
30. Metaphysics I 2-7; II,1; XII 6-10 Video Video Video
31. Phaedrus (Plato) Beginning-257 Video Video
32. Phaedrus 257-end Video Video
33. On The Nature Of The Universe; I-III Video Video *Paper 6 due*
34. On The Nature Of The Universe; V-VI Video Video Video
35. On the Incarnation, including C.S.Lewis introduction Video Video
Collected Dialogues of Plato ; Plato; Princeton University Press; ISBN 0-691-09718-6
The Aeneid ; Paperback Virgil; Viking Books; Fagels trans., ISBN 0670038032
Plutarch's Lives Volume 2 ; Plutarch; Modern Library Classics; ISBN 0375756779
Basic Works of Aristotle ; Aristotle; (Poetics) The Modern Library, Random House, Editor- McKeon, ISBN 0394416104
The Republic ; Plato; Vintage Classics; ISBN 0-679-73387-6
The Annals of Imperial Rome ; Tacitus; Penquin Classics; ISBN0-14-044060-7
The Nature of The Universe ; (On the Nature of Things) Lucretius; Latham Translation; Penquin Classics; ISBN 0-14-044610-9
On the Incarnation ; Athanasius; St. Vladimir's Seminary Press; ISBN 0913836400;
2. Summarize one argument from one book of the Republic; or on topic of your own choosing. (750-1000 words)
3. Compare one aspect of the Iliad and Odyssey with the Aeneid; or on topic of your own choosing. (1000-1250 words)
4. Explain one argument from a chapter of the Nicomachean Ethics; or on topic of your own choosing. (750-1000 words)
5. Write a play illustrating the five types of courage Aristotle described. The characters in your story that represent the various types of courage should be named; Citizen, Passion, Experience, Ignorance, Blythe. Or, topic of your own choosing. (1000-1250 words)
When writing plays, please do not include stage directions or use contractions. Please do use five characters or less, include direct quotes from the GBT text and always use academic language (no slang) and pattern your style after the Platonic dialogues. Your characters should speak in complete paragraphs.
6. Topic of your own choosing. (1000-1250 words)
All topics of your own choosing must be approved by tutor and must be on a GBT II reading.
During GBT II students who are not participating in class are given a warning that they could be placed on academic probation at the end of first semester. After being placed on academic probation, the student has the opportunity during second semester to show he will consistently participate in our discussions. If he does not show a sufficient level of participation during the second semester, he will not be allowed to continue with GBT III.
Though it is always a difficult matter for me not to allow students to continue, I am convinced that if they are not participating in our discussions regularly, our class format is not the best learning environment for them. Further, passively listening during class does not contribute to the discussion we develop together. Each student must come to class ready to share his understanding as we build a community of learning and joint effort at articulating the wonderful ideas we examine together.
Great Books III
Students may take the
Classical Greek II tutorial
for free, live or through download.
Local students (not online) must complete two semesters of Choir with Mr. Hinrichs during GBT I or III.
2. Confessions; VI-IX Video Video
3. Confessions; X-XI Video Video
4. City of God; Book I Video Video Video
5. City of God; Books II,III Video Video
6. City of God; Books IV,V Video Video
7. City of God; Books VIII,IX.15,X Video Video *Conferenced Paper 1 due*
8. City of God; Books XI,XII Video Video
9. City of God; Books XIII,XIV Video Video *Paper 1 due*
10. City of God; Books XIX,XXII Video Video
11. Proslogium; Video Video Video
12. Monologium; Chapters 1-40 Video Video Video
13. Monologium; Chapters 41-79 and Nicene Creed Video Video *Conferenced Paper 2 due*
14. Cur Deus Homo; Book One Video Video Video
15. Cur Deus Homo; Book Two *Paper 2 due* Video Video Video
16. Summa Theologiae; Prima Pars (Book I), Questions 2&3 (pp.20-33 in Modern Library Edition) Video Video
17. Divine Comedy; Inferno I-XVII Video Video Video Intro Video Video
18. Divine Comedy; Inferno XVIII-XXXIV Video Video Video Video Video
19. Divine Comedy; Purgatorio I-XVIII Video Video Video Video
20. Divine Comedy; Purgatorio XIX-XXXIII Video Video Video
21. Divine Comedy; Paradiso I-XVII Video Video Video
22. Divine Comedy; Paradiso XVIII-XXXIII Video Video Video Video Video
23. Summa Theologiae; Prima Pars (Book I), Question 13 (pp. 97-125 in Modern Library Edition) Video Video Video *Conferenced Paper 3 due*
24. Summa Theologiae; Prima Secundae (Book II), Questions 90-94 (pp. 609-650) Video Video
25. Summa Theologiae; Prima Secundae (Book II), Questions 95-97 Video Video *Paper 3 due*
26. Summa Theologiae; Prima Secundae (Book II), Questions 100 (article 1-3,9,10,12); 106; 108; 109 Video Video Video Video
27. Summa Theologiae; Secunda Secundae (Book II), Questions 1; 2; 4 (article 8 only) Video Video Video
28. Canterbury Tales; Prologue (through the Knight and Squire); Knight's Tale Video Video Video
29. Canterbury Tales; Prologue (to end), Miller's Prologue and Tale; Reeve's Prologue and Tale Video Video Video ** Parental guidance advised **
30. Canterbury Tales; Nun's Priest's Tale and Epilogue; Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale Video Video Video Video
31. Canterbury Tales; Clerk's Prologue and Tale; Frankelyn's Prologue and Tale; Parson's Prologue and Tale (in synopsis); Chaucer's Retractions *Conferenced Paper 4 due* Video Video Video
32. As You Like It *Film Version* Video Video Video Video
33. Henry IV, Part I *Film Version* Video Video Video *Paper 4 due*
34. The Prince Video Video Video Video Video
35. Richard II *Film Version* Video Video
City of God ; Augustine; Modern Library; ISBN 0-679-60087-6; translator- Dods
Proslogium, Monologium, Cur Deus Homo; Anselm; Open Court; ISBN 087548109
Summa Theologiae ; Aquinas; Modern Library; ISBN 0075536536; translator- Pegis
Summa additions Click here for e-reading.
Divine Comedy;
Hell (Inferno) ; Dante; Penquin; ISBN 0-14-044-006-2; translator- Sayers
Purgatory (Purgatorio) ; Dante; Penquin; ISBN 0-14-044-046-1; translator- Sayers
Paradise (Paradiso) ; Dante; Penquin; ISBN 0-14-044-105-0; translator- Sayers
Canterbury Tales; Chaucer; Penquin; ISBN 0140440224;
As You Like It; Shakespeare; Signet (Mass Market); ISBN 0451524608; *Film Version*
Henry IV, Part I; Shakespeare; Folger; ISBN 0671722638; *Film Version*
Edits: 2:00- 3:15; 26:00-27:00; 51:00-53:30; 1:16:00-1:18:00
The Prince; Machiavelli; Chicago; ISBN 0226500381; translator- Mansfield
Richard II ; Shakespeare; Folger; ISBN 0671722832; *Youtube Version* *Grisly Film Version*
Great Books IV
Starting Fall 2024 Students must be enrolled in the free Shakespeare Tutorial
to be enrolled in GBT IV.
Local students (not online) must complete two semesters of Choir with Mr. Hinrichs before entering GBT IV.
2. Don Quixote; Part II (Summer reading) Video Video Video Video Video
3. Institutes; I, Chapters i-ix, Video Video Video Video
4. Institutes; I, Chapter xv, xvi; II Chapters iv-v.5; III Chapters xxi-xxii; Video Video Video Video
5. Commentary on Galations; Commentary on Galations 1-2 Video Video Video
6. Commentary on Galations; Commentary on Galations 3 Video Video Video Video
7. Commentary on Galations; Commentary on Galations 4-5 Video Video Video *Conferenced Paper 1 due*
8. Bach; St. Matthew Passion- Video Video Video Video
9. Essays of Montaigne; To the Reader; I, 26, On the Education of Children; I, 31 Of Cannibals; II, 11, Of Cruelty; III, 2, Of Repentence Video Video *Paper 1 due*
10. Essays of Montaigne; III, 13, Of Experience Video Video
11. Novum Organum; I, Preface and Aphorisms 1-95 Video Video Video Video
12. Discourse on the Method; Parts 1-6 Video Video
13. Meditations; Synopsis, I-III Video Video Video *Conferenced Paper 2 due*
14. Meditations; IV-VI Video Video Video
15. Pensees; Video Video Video *Paper 2 due*
Please note that Pensees from the non-classifie d papers are added to the chapters to which they seem to be clearly related.
Chapter I Order:all
Chapter II Vanity:13, 21, 25, 30, 36, 44, 47, (p. 120) 413, 627, 628, 688, 697, 806, 978
Chapter III Wretchedness:54-56, 58, 60, 65, 71, 72, 75
Chapter IV:78, 79, 622, 641, 771
Chapter V:80,81, 83, 85, 87, 89-93, 95, 97, 98, 101-103, 577 ,665, 711, 828
Chapter VI:106-108, 110-116, 118
Chapter VII:119, 121, 122, 124,-128, 131, 298, 401, 410
Chapter VIII:132-134, 136, 138, 139, 414
Chapter IX:140, 143, 145, 407
Chapter X:148
16. Pensees; Video Video Video
Chapter XI 149
Chapter XII 151, 152, 157, 160-162, 165, 166, 418, 427, 428, 434, 442, 444
Chapter XIII 170-188
Chapter XIV 189-192, 446, 449
Chapter XV 194, 195, 198-201, 511, 512, 416, 417, 431, 471
Chapter XVI 205, 208, 210, 214-216, 219, 220
Chapter XVIII 228, 232, 234, 239, 241, 242
Chapter XIX 255, 265
Chapter XXIII 298, 300, 301, 308, 309, 423, 424
Chapter XXIV 332, 335
Chapter XXVI 351-354, 357, 358, 360, 364, 372, 373, 808, 821
Chapter XXVII 378, 380, 381, 835, 846
The Memorial 17. Paradise Lost; I-III Video Video Video Video
18. Paradise Lost; IV; V; VI (Argument only); VII (Argument only); VIII; IX Video Video Video
19. Paradise Lost; X-XII Video Video
20. Leviathan; Author's Introduction, I:1-4, 12-16; Also, Calvin's Institutes; Book IV Chapter xx Video Video
21. Leviathan; II: 17,18,20,21,26,29 Video Video Video
22. Leviathan; II: 30, 31 (paragraphs 1-5, last 5 paragraphs); III: 32 (paragraphs 1-4 and last), 35 (first 6 paragraphs), 38 (paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 16, 17), 39, 41 (third paragraph), 43; IV: 44 (first four paragraphs only); 46, 47, Review and Concl. Video Video
23. Discourse on Metaphysics Video Video *Conferenced Paper 3 due*
24. Principles of Nature and Grace; Monadology Video Video
25. Ethics; Part I Video Video *Paper 3 due*
26. Ethics; Part II Video Video Video
27. Treatise on Human Nature; Introduction; Book I, Part I all; Part II (except sections 4 & 5); Intro Video Video
28. Treatise on Human Nature; Book I, Part III, Sections 1-8, 14; Part IV, sections 2, 6-7 Video Video Video
29. Treatise on Human Nature; Book III, Part I; Part II, sections 1, 2, 5; Part III, sections 1, 3, 5 Video Video
30. Vermeer; Woman Holding a Balance , A Lady Writing - http://essentialvermeer.20m.com/ Video Video *Conferenced Paper 4 due*
31. Gulliver's Travels; I, II Intro Video Video
32. Gulliver's Travels; III, IV Video Video *Paper 4 due*
33. North and South (film version) Video Video
34. Second Treatise on Government (Concerning Civil Government); Chs. I-IX Video Video
35. Second Treatise on Government (Concerning Civil Government); Chs. X-XIX Video Video
Don Quixote ; Cervantes; Random House; ISBN 0679602860; translator- Putnam
Institutes of the Christian Religion (Three possibilities!!) ;
Institutes of the Christian Religion ; (Great Edition) Calvin; The Westminster Press; ISBN 0664220282; translator- Battles
Institutes of the Christian Religion ; (OK Edition) Calvin; Eerdmans; ISBN - 0802881661 Translator- Beveridge
Institutes of the Christian Religion ; (Bad edition- Do not use) ISBN- 0802841678
Commentary on Galations ; Luther; Revell; ISBN 0891079947;
St. Matthew Passion ; Johann Sebastian Bach; Use the Richter Edition . Print out Libretto and translation to keep notes as you listen. Please look for places where the music compliments the meaning of the text.
Essays ; Montaigne; Stanford University Press; ISBN 0804704864; translator- Frame
Novum Organon ; Bacon; Library of the Liberal Arts (Pap Txt); ISBN: 0023033800
Discourse on Method, Meditations ; Descartes; Cambridge Press; ISBN 0521358124; translators- Stoothooff & Cottingham
Pensees ; Pascal; Penquin; ISBN 0140446451 **Please do not substitute other editions!**
Paradise Lost ; Milton; Prentice Hall; ISBN: 0023582901
Paperback Version
Leviathan ; Hobbes; Penquin; ISBN 0140431950
Ethics ; Spinoza; Everyman; ISBN 0460873474
Discourse on Metaphysics, Monadology , Principles of Nature and Grace ; Leibniz; Open Court Classics; ISBN 0872200620
A Treatise of Human Nature ; Hume; Penquin; ISBN 0140432442
Woman Holding a Balance , A Lady Writing Vermeer;
Gulliver's Travels ; Swift; Penquin; ISBN 0140430229
North and South ; Brian Perceval director (film version)
Second Treatise on Government (Concerning Civil Government) ; John Locke; Prometheus Books; ISBN 0879753374; Other editions will suffice.
The Legacy of Karl Richter - in addition to Saint Matthew Passion
Handel's Messiah
Man of La Mancha
Life is Beautiful
Vanitas Theme in Art - in addition to Pascal
Great Books V
2. Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics;Third part, Conclusion, Solution Video Video Video
3. Discourse on the Origins of Inequality Video Video Video Video
4. The Social Contract Video Video
5. Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals; Preface, Sec.1 Video Video Video
6. Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals; Sec. II, III; What is Enlightenment? Video Video Video *Paper #1 topic due
7. Wealth of Nations; Book I, chapters I-IX Video Video
8. Wealth of Nations; Video Video Video
Book I, chapter X
Book I, chapter XI (first paragraph and Conclusion)
Book II, chapter I (first five paragraphs only)
Book II, chapter III (first two-thirds, stopping before the paragraph beginning, "The annual produce...")
Book III, chapter II (first six paragraphs only)
Book III chapter IV (omitting the last five paragraphs)
Book IV, chapter II (first fifteen and last three paragraphs only)
Book IV, chapter IX (last four paragraphs only)
Book V, chapter I, Part I
10. Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, The Federalist: 1, 2, 6, 9-11, 12 (first three paragraphs), 14 Video , Video
Video
11. The Federalist; 15-17, 23, 31, 37-39, Constitution of the United States Video Video Video *Paper #1 Final Due
12. The Federalist; 47-51, 57, 62-63, 68, 69, 76, 78 Video Video Video
13. Huckleberry Finn Video Video Video Video
14. Logic; Sections 1-15,20-25,79-98 Video Video Video
15. Phenomenolgy of Spirit; Sections 73-77; Sense Certainty, Perception, sections 90-113; Lordship and Bondage, sections 165, 178-196 Video Video Video
16. War and Peace (Christmas reading) Video Video Video Video *Paper #1 Presentation Revision Due
17. War and Peace (Christmas reading) HELPS Video Video Video
18. Phenomenology of Spirit; Stoicism and Skepticism, sections 197-206 Video Video
19. Phenomenology of Spirit; Unhappy Conciousness, sections 207-230 Video Video
20. Phenomenology of Spirit; Consciousness and the Beautiful Soul, sections 632-658 Video
21. Phenomenology of Spirit; The Beautiful Soul and Forgiveness, sections 659-671, Absolute Knowing, sections 806-808 Video
22. Capital; *pages numbers are for the recommended text*; 102 (mid)-103; 125-180 (mid); 198-209; 247-310; 675-682; 320-325 Paper #2 Topic Due Video Video Video
23. Capital; 340-344 (mid); 367-368 (top); 375-377 (top); 417-458; 470-486 (mid); 508-518; 526-537 (top); 544-553; 615 (bot) -621 (mid); 636-639; 655-658 (mid); 666-667 Video Video
24. Capital; 711-757; 762-772; 873-876; 914-930 Video Video Video Video Video
25. Fear and Trembling; Beginning through Problem 1 Video Video
26. Fear and Trembling; Problems II, III and Epilogue Video Video
27. Tristan and Isolde Video Video Video
28. Beyond Good and Evil; Preface, Parts (Books) 1; 2; 3; 4, epigrams 150-164; 5; 6; 7; 8, epigrams 241-242,248,250,253,255; 9 Video Video Video
29. The Brothers Karamazov (Spring Break reading) Video Video Video Video
30. The Brothers Karamazov Video Video Video *Paper #2 Final Due
31. Democracy in America; ISBN 0060915226; Volume I: Author's Introduction; Part I, chaps. 3,5,6; Part II chaps. 7-10 Video Video
32. Democracy in America; Volume (or part) II (p.417); Part I, chaps. 1-3,5,15; Part II, chaps. 1-15; Part IV, chaps 6-8 Video Video
33. The Ego and the ID C.S.Lewis Response Intro Video Video Video Video
34. The Abolition of Man Video Video
35. God in the Dock, I; 1-5,8,9,16,18,21,23, II; 4,7,8,12, III; 1,2,5,8 Paper #2 Presentation Revision Due Video Video
The Social Contract and Discourses ; Rousseau; ISBN 0460873571; Editor- Brumfitt;
Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals ; Kant; ISBN 0023078251; Editor- Beck
Wealth of Nations ; Adam Smith; ISBN 0865970084; Liberty Press
The Federalist ; Hamilton; Jay; Madison; ISBN 0679603255; College Library
Huckleberry Finn ; Mark Twain; ISBN 0520053370 ; University of California
War and Peace ; Leo Tolstoy; ISBN 039396647; W.W.Norton
Logic ; Hegel; ISBN 0198245122; Oxford
Phenomenolgy of Spirit ; Hegel; ISBN 0198245971; Oxford
Capital ; Marx; ISBN 039472657X; Random House
Fear and Trembling ; Kierkegaard; ISBN 0691020264; Princeton
Tristan and Isolde
Youtube Version ; Libretto ; Tristan and Isolde Myth
Beyond Good and Evil ; Nietzsche; ISBN 0679724656; Vintage Books
The Brothers Karamazov ; Dostoevsky; ISBN 0393092143; Norton
Democracy in America ; Alexis de Tocqueville; ISBN 0060915226; Harper and Row
The Ego and the ID ; Freud; ISBN 0393001423; Norton
The Abolition of Man ; Lewis, ISBN 0060652942, Harpers
God in the Dock ; Lewis, ISBN 0802808689 , Eerdmans
Great Books five students who would like to fill out their understanding of the ideas that have shaped the development of Western History should consider the History of Science and Mathematics tutorial while taking GBT V. Many themes that are discusses in Great Books have influenced and been influenced by the development of Science and Mathematics.
Kantian Terminology
Common Questions about the Great Books Tutorial
I recommend that parents who are considering GBT purchase some of the books we read and see for themselves whether their student's reading abilities are adequate for the readings required. Students may not begin before they are 12 years old. Also, students must be ready to take Euclid during GBT II, so they need to be able to finish Algebra I but the end of GBT I. Please plan your math sequence accordingly.
A healthy dose of Greek and Roman history is very helpful through the elementary years. Specifically, I recommend D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths . For more Greek and Roman history, I recommend reading Plutarch's Lives Volume 1 and Plutarch's Lives Volume 2 . Plutarch loves long sentences and if your reader finds him difficult Famous Greeks and Famous Romans from the teaching company are very helpful and well-told. They often go on sale through the catalog and can also be found by searching on youtube- Greeks Romans . The Chronicles of Narnia receive many comparisons in class and your student should be familiar with them. You can find more texts in our ETS Bookstore.
Of course, whatever study in Greek and Latin you can manage will be a great aid. The vocabulary required in the readings really stretches most readers and their vocabulary acquisition will greatly enhanced if they are able to draw on the the etymological skills that the study of the ancient language provides. It is sad that Greek always seems to be seen as that "other" classical language. Studying both Greek and Latin is the ideal of course; however, if you must study only one, I would recommend that you make that language Greek. The advantages I see are the following; 1) Greek is the language of the New Testament, 2) Greek study provides the same advantages to vocabulary acquisition as Latin and, 3) the great classical works that demand close linguistic study are more often Greek than Roman. Let me state once again though, for the classicist, there is only one right answer to the question, "How many languages should I learn?" It is, "more."
You might also help your child by preparing yourself as a parent to understand the goal of Great Books education. Linny Dey's article Eden's Children Grown-up is a very good place to start.
The conversation of western history is not limited to just literature, but involves mathematics, science, philosophy, literature, theology and many other fields. In order to grasp this development, it would be best to study mathematics and science in a historical fashion along with the great books as is done at St. John's College. However, fitting this into a high school curriculum is perhaps even beyond the capabilities of a home-school mother. Yet, a good understanding of western literature cannot be had without at least reading the Homer of mathematics- Euclid. Thus, my students must study Euclid's Elements before completing GBT II.
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The Great Books tutorial provides a very fine survey of the ideas that have shaped our culture in philosophy, literature, theology and political science. One of the great advantages of the Great Books approach is that we attempt to understand all these fields by seeing how they developed in relation to one another as we read through the great texts chronologically. However, there is a conspicuous absence in that we do not substantially address the connections between science and mathematics and the other fields. There are many connections with the history of science and mathematics that help to make the issues discussed in philosophy, literature, theology and political science more understandable and meaningful.
I have always wished that I could teach the history of science and mathematics in conjunction with the Great Books tutorial to bring out these connections in more detail; however, a serious lack of discipline on my part dissuades me from that path. St. John's College has a program wherein one spends four years going through the great books of mathematics and science to experience this story firsthand. However, for those with less Olympian-sized budgets, I recommend the lectures in mathematics and science provided by The Teaching Company- History of Science: Antiquity to 1700 , History of Science: 1700-1900 and Queen of the Sciences: A History of Mathematics . The videos are fairly expensive- the sets usually list around $350 a piece, however, they often go on sale for around $70 and if you are Ebay savvy you can find them at further discount there. You can also resell them on Ebay once you are done with them. If you do not want to purchase them on Ebay, contact www.teach12.com so that you can get their catalog and watch for them to go on sale. If you are a local student and would like to borrow my copies, please contact me.
Part 1 of History of Science: Antiquity to 1700 begins with the Babylonian and Egyptians, but focuses primarily on the contributions of the Greeks. In order to provide context to the overview of Greek science, Dr. Principe provides a wonderful survey of the main themes of Greek philosophy. Parts 2 and 3 cover science in the Christian West during the Middle Ages, the substantial contributions of the Islamic scholars, the rise of Scholasticism, the Copernican Revolution, Isaac Newton and the rise of chemistry. History of Science: 1700-1900 continues the story by discussing the rise of science in the Enlightenment and modern age. You can see full details on the topics covered at History of Science: Antiquity to 1700 and History of Science: 1700-1900 . These lectures work particularly well with GBT as they continually discuss how theology and philosophy effect and are effected by the development of science. This perspective encourages students who tend to think of learning as simply mastering distinct subjects to consider how everything they are learning is simply working towards a human understanding of the world- what we might simply call wisdom.
I do not know if the professors are Christians, but they should be understood as descriptive historians and not prescriptive polemicists. They do discuss the relation of Christianity to many scientific issues, but often it is not in order to promote a particular understanding of how faith and science should relate, but most often simply to survey the various approaches that have been given throughout history.
The best schedule for integrating the lectures with GBT would be the following. Keep in mind that each of the parts listed contains twelve thirty-minute lectures.
GBT I
History of Science: Antiquity to 1700
Part 1
GBT II
History of Science: Antiquity to 1700
Part 2
GBT III
History of Science: Antiquity to 1700
Part 3
GBT IV
History of Science: 1700-1900
Part 1&2
GBT V
History of Science: 1700-1900
Part 3
The Teaching Company also has a set of lectures on the history of mathematics which covers much of the same material as the history of science set does, however, with much more mathematical detail that students who have studied Pre-Calculus will be able to appreciate- A History of Mathematics . I also recommend their set Great Authors of the Western Literary Tradition, 2nd Edition for those who would like to have further commentary on their Great Books readings. I also recommend; Joy of Science , Joy of Mathematics , Dutch Masters: The Age of Rembrandt , Classical Mythology , Iliad and Odyssey of Homer , The Aeneid of Virgil, and Herodotus: The Father of History
To see how to structure a curriculum around the Great Books Tutorial, please see our curriculum guide. For a details on the number of credits for each course, please see our credits breakdown .
If you would like to participate in Classical Academy High School Studio program or the Classical Academy Online High School, your ETS tutorials can qualify for a number of credits and the ETS tutorials are scheduled so that you can attend classes through both institutions. You can enroll in your ETS classes in the 10-12 time slot and the CAHS classes either 8-10am or 12-2pm. Your Great Books classes will receive English Credit and you can fulfill your ETS choir requirement through the fine CAHS choir. The ETS Classical Greek course will count towards the Classical High School foreign language requirements. Your ETS classes can qualify for UC credit by obtaining certain SAT, ACT, or AP Examination scores. For more information please see - http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/a-g-requirements/index.html#english If you are interested in using ETS for credit through CAHS, please make sure to discuss this with your Instructional Specialist at CAHS.Each year could be broken down into traditional subjects in the following manner.
Great Books Tutorial I
History
The Histories
The Rise and Fall of Athens
* Six weeks study *
Philosophy
The Poetics
The Last Days of Socrates
* Six weeks study *
Theology
Exhortation to the Greeks
* Two weeks study *
Literature
Iliad
Odyssey
The Three Theban Plays
The Oresteia
* Eighteen weeks study *
Government (Civics)
Gorgias
* Three weeks study *
Writing (Composition)
Seven papers totaling 18 to 28 pages.
Course Description
Great Books Tutorial I comprehensively surveys classical Greek and early patristic literature. The course integrates readings from History, Philosophy, Theology, Literature and Government in order to examine the development of Western cultural trends and ideas from a Biblical worldview. Also provided are expositional and argumentative writing exercises based on analytical reading and critical thinking. This is an honors level course.
Great Books Tutorial II
History
The Peloponnesian War
The Annals of Imperial Rome
The Lives of Caesar and Cato the Younger
* Seven weeks study *
Philosophy
De Anima
Theaetetus
Physics
Metaphysics
Phaedrus
The Nature of Things
Nichomachean Ethics
* Eighteen weeks study *
Theology
On the Incarnation
* One week study *
Literature
Aeneid
* Three weeks study *
Government (Civics)
The Republic
* Six weeks study *
Writing (Composition)
Six papers totaling 21 to 27 pages.
Course Description
Great Books Tutorial II comprehensively surveys classical Greek, Roman and early patristic literature. The course integrates readings from History, Philosophy, Theology, Literature and Government in order to examine the development of Western cultural trends and ideas from a Biblical worldview. Also provided are expositional and argumentative writing exercises based on analytical reading and critical thinking. This is an honors level course.
Great Books Tutorial III
Literature
Canterbury Tales
As You Like It
Henry IV, part I
Richard II
*7 weeks study*
Theology
Confessions
City of God
Prologium, Monologium, Cur Deus Homo
Summa Theologiae
Divine Comedy
*27 weeks study*
Government
The Prince
*1 week study*
Writing (Composition)
Four papers totaling 24 to 28 pages.
Course Description
Great Books Tutorial III comprehensively surveys classical patristic and Medieval literature. The course integrates readings from Theology, Literature and Government in order to examine the development of Western cultural trends and ideas from a Biblical worldview. Also provided are expositional and argumentative writing exercises based on analytical reading and critical thinking. This is an honors level course.
Great Books Tutorial IV
Philosophy
Essays of Montainge
Novum Organum
Discourse on Method
Meditations
Discourse on Metaphysics
Principles of Nature and Grace
Monadologys
Ethics
Treatise on Human Nature
* Fifteen weeks study *
Theology
Institute of the Christian Religion
Commentary on Galations
St. Matthew Passion
Pensees
* Eight weeks study *
Literature
Don Quixote
Paradise Lost
Gulliver's Travels
Emma
* Eight weeks study *
Government (Civics)
Leviathan
* Three weeks study *
Art
Woman Holding a Balance
A Lady Writing
* One week study *
Writing (Composition)
Four papers totaling 24 to 28 pages.
Course Description
Great Books Tutorial IV comprehensively surveys Reformation and Enlightenment literature. The course integrates readings from Theology, Literature and Government in order to examine the development of Western cultural trends and ideas from a Biblical worldview. Also provided are expositional and argumentative writing exercises based on analytical reading and critical thinking. This is an honors level course.
Great Books Tutorial V
Philosophy
Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics (2)
Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals(2)
Phenomenolgy of Spirit (5)
Beyond Good and Evil
Phenomenology and the Crisis of Philosophy
* Eleven weeks study *
Theology
Fear and Trembling
God in the Dock
* Two weeks study *
Literature
Huckleberry Finn
War and Peace (2)
The Brothers Karamazov (2)
* Five weeks study *
Government (Civics)
Discourse on the Origins of Inequality
The Social Contract
Wealth of Nations (3)
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
The Federalist
Democracy in America (2)
* Ten weeks study *
Psychology
The Ego and the ID
* One week study *
Economics
Wealth of Nations (3)
Capital (3)
* Six weeks study *
Art
Tristan and Isolde
* One week study *
Writing (Composition)
Two papers totaling 24 to 28 pages.
Course Description
Great Books Tutorial V comprehensively surveys Modern literature. The course integrates readings from Theology, Literature and Government in order to examine the development of Western cultural trends and ideas from a Biblical worldview. Also provided are expositional and argumentative writing exercises based on analytical reading and critical thinking. This is an honors level course.
