Common Arts IIA | Fall

The common arts are the skills by which we meet our basic, embodied needs in the world through the creation of artifacts or the provision of services. Growing food, cooking nutritious (and delicious!) meals, caring for animals, crafting with materials, repairing broken artifacts, healing injuries, defending ourselves, and many more foundational skills fall into this category. Through the practice of the common arts, the liberal arts of language and mathematics are made manifest in physical ways, ways that transcend paper practice and abstraction. An awareness of the goodness, truth, and beauty of God’s creation and providence becomes more profound as we learn just how deeply he has provided for us if we have eyes to see and ears to hear, as well as minds to reason and skilled hands to craft.

Common Arts II builds upon the foundations established in Common Arts I, expanding into novel categories and as-yet-unexplored avenues of skills, practice, and refinement. Using a foundation of GOST (goals, objectives, strategy, and tactics) and apprenticeship, students will explore trade, navigation, self-defense, agriculture, amateur radio, and more as they also seek to build skills in the basic common arts.

NOTE: It is highly recommended, although not necessary, that a student complete Common Arts IA and IB before taking the courses in the IIA/IIB series. The coursework in the IIA/IIB series will reference topics and experiences found in the IA/IB series, with catch-up opportunities provided for entrants who have not completed those courses.

Quarter 1

1. Introduction to the Common Arts: Definition, Resonance with Liberal and Fine Arts, Apprenticeship Model
2. Basic Common Arts, including knots, fire-building, and celestial navigation (throughout the semester, starting here!)
3. Introduction to Trade: Definitions, Structures, Economies, Assignment of Value, Banking, Interest
4. Investment Project
5. Complementary Season Agriculture: Fruit Trees, Fall Bed-Downs for Gardens

Quarter 2

1. Second Order Common Arts, Amateur Radio- how it works, how to make and receive calls, radio networks
2. Introduction to Animal Husbandry: Livestock Care, Dog Training
3. Self-Defense Principles
4. Situational Awareness and the 5 A’s of Self-Defense
5. De-escalation Techniques

• Computer: You will need a stable, reliable computer, running with a processor with a speed of 1 GHz or better on one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later; Windows 8, 7, Vista (with SP1 or later), or XP (with SP3 or later). We do not recommend using an iPad or other tablet for joining classes. An inexpensive laptop or netbook would be much better solutions, as they enable you to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer. Please note that Chromebooks are allowed but not preferred, as they do not support certain features of the Zoom video conference software such as breakout sessions and annotation, which may be used by our teachers for class activities.
• High-Speed Internet Connection: You will also need access to high-speed Internet, preferably accessible via Ethernet cable right into your computer. Using Wi-Fi may work, but will not guarantee you the optimal use of your bandwidth. The faster your Internet, the better. We recommend using a connection with a download/upload speed of 5/1 Mbps or better. You can test your Internet connection here.
• Webcam: You may use an external webcam or one that is built in to the computer. Webcam Recommendations: Good (PC only) | Best (Mac and PC)
• Headset: We recommend using a headset rather than a built-in microphone and speakers. Using a headset reduces the level of background noise heard by the entire class. Headset Recommendations: USB | 3.5mm
• Zoom: We use a web conferencing software called Zoom for our classes, which enables students and teachers to gather from around the globe face to face in real time. Zoom is free to download and easy to use. To download Zoom:
  1. Visit zoom.us/download.
  2. Click to download the first option listed, Zoom Client for Meetings.
  3. Open and run the installer on your computer.
  4. In August, students will be provided with instructions and a link for joining their particular class.
• Scanner: In this class, students frequently submit homework assignments by scanning pages from their workbooks. Students and/or their parents should have easy access to a scanner and the ability to use it.