Canterbury House of Studies
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I am excited to dive into the first three books of the Narnia series with you (plus some other fantastic readings)! You might be wondering what kind of course this is: Is it a literature course? A Book club? A Theology course? The answer is, “Yes!” It’s kind of a combination of all three. Let me try to explain…
Our goal together is to follow the imagination of an extraordinary writer in order to explore how the characters, settings and plots of his stories can help us to learn and discern a virtuous path through the unfolding plot and ever-changing landscapes of our own lives. What do I mean? Well, we’ll try to see ourselves in the characters of our books and learn from their mistakes and successes. We’ll share our own experiences and consider how choosing various “paths” through them could lead to wonderful – or disastrous – consequences. Moving between the imaginary world of Narnia and the real world of 20th century England will light up the challenges of the “worlds” that we each inhabit and give us a “way in” to consider how we might best navigate our own stories within them.
Along the way, we’ll meet Clive Staples Lewis (aka “Jack,” or better known as, “C.S. Lewis”), a highly curious and thoughtful boy who became one of the most clever and most well-known writers of his day (and ours!). Lewis’s childhood was full of challenge and difficulty, and we’ll read about how he grew to determine the answers to some of his most difficult life questions. He also happens to be the beloved author of the Narnia series as well as many other thought-provoking books and writings. Unlike his Narnian characters, Lewis is “real” and the story of his real life might also challenge and inspire us to think deeply about two questions: How does what he believes affect how he behaves? And how does the way he behaves influence what he believes? Maybe we’ll ask ourselves the same questions…
… and as we do, we’ll study and define each Narnian virtue in-depth. As a student in my class, you’ll select various virtues to pursue personally throughout the year, and you’ll work together with me, with parents/caregivers, and with your classmates to set and manage goals to cultivate those virtues in your daily lives. While we will be reading C.S. Lewis’s books, we’ll also be guided by biblical scripture and the spiritual practices of prayer, examen, confession and discipline. That might sound a bit formal, but I hope you’ll find that these simple everyday rhythms can become joy-giving practices that help to set you on a lifelong course for following and flourishing in the way of Christ!
My hope is that this course will be interactive and reflective, fun and serious, scholarly and restful. We’ll ask each other questions, share stories from our own lives, and discuss how real life is uncovered through the imagination of Lewis. Through it all, we will be pursuing the truest truth of all – the reality of Christ and the Truth of the Bible – in order to find our best guide through this world and into the next.
I hope you decide to join me on the journey!
Please Note: This course does not constitute a stand-alone writing course. For questions about pace or workload, please feel free to send me an email at ekaufman.scholeacademy@gmail.com
Required Materials: Books and supplies are not included in the purchase of the course. These resources are listed to help inform your decision-making as you make course selections and build your course schedule. Please reach out to the instructor if you have any questions about materials.
We will be read a biography of C.S. Lewis, three novels by C.S. Lewis, and excerpts from some of his other writings. Students should have their own copies of the following books, which they are expected to write in. Please do not use digital versions of the texts - hard copies are required.
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ekaufman.scholeacademy@gmail.com
Elizabeth Kaufman holds a M.Ed. and earned her BA in Spanish from Hope College with minors in Music (piano performance) and Elementary Ed.. A missional mindset led her to work in various countries, teaching art and music in an American School in the Dominican Republic, grades 2 and 3 in a British school in Tanzania, and Spanish at a Montessori school in Michigan. Elizabeth went on to choose motherhood and homeschooling as a full-time pursuit and has loved teaching her four sons at home for the past eight years. Throughout this time, she has grown increasingly committed to Classical Christian education and has developed a love for “living” literature and biblical scholarship. She has also combined her love of music and scripture to compose several collections of songs for students and families to learn scripture together and to sing through liturgical seasons. She believes that every course of study is an invitation to witness God’s redemptive work in the world, to be formed and transformed by it, and to engage with Him in it.
Elizabeth lives in Kenya where her husband teaches biblically-based church discipleship and her sons enjoy living and learning “in the bush.” When not teaching or studying classical ed, you can find Elizabeth trail running, composing new music, doing laundry, hosting meals for friends and travelers, or attempting (poorly) to ride motorbikes with her boys. You can listen to her music for learning scripture at www.musictomemorize.org.
READING FOCUS: C.S.Lewis: Master Storyteller + Selected Readings from Surprised by Joy • How was Lewis affected by other characters? By setting? By plot? • What was the great conflict and the great resolution in Lewis’s life? • How did CS Lewis experience God in Three Persons: Father, Son & Holy Spirit? • Book Project
BIBLICAL FOCUS: OUR RESPONSE TO A POWERFUL GOD “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” - Proverbs 9:10
VIRTUE FOCUS: • How does the Holy Trinity relate to the three theological virtues? • How does the practice of Worship lead to the cultivation of the theological virtues?
READING FOCUS: The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe + Selected Readings from Mere Christianity • Why is the intended audience of the book important? • Why did C.S. Lewis write children’s fantasy? • How do I read for enjoyment vs. for personal growth? • How do characters demonstrate virtue / vice? • Book Project
BIBLICAL FOCUS: OUR RESPONSE TO A LOVING GOD “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9
VIRTUE FOCUS: • How can I define the cardinal virtues in ways that I can understand and apply? • How can I begin to discern virtuous characters in the book and in real life? • How does the practice of Examen work to cultivate of the cardinal virtues in my heart and in my relationships?
READING FOCUS: Prince Caspian + Selected Readings from The Screwtape Letters • How does setting reflect virtue / vice? • Is virtue pre-determined or developed? • What is the difference between a personal trait & a personal quality? • How do I participate in a Socratic Discussion? • Final Book Project
BIBLICAL FOCUS: GOD’S POWERFUL & LOVING RESPONSE TO US “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” - Ephesians 3:17-19
VIRTUE FOCUS: • How can I trace the related consequences of virtuous/non-virtuous choices in the lives of the characters and in my own life? • Why is the practice of Confession central to the cultivation of virtue in my life?
READING FOCUS: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader + Selected Readings from The Weight of Glory • How do I trace virtue through plot? • Can I already begin to “plot” the cultivation of virtue in my own heart by examining my own life story up til now? • What is the evidence of virtue as seen in the storyline? • Final Book Project
BIBLICAL FOCUS:GOD’S POWER & LOVE AT WORK IN US "So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” - 2 Peter 3:14
VIRTUE FOCUS: • How do I remain rooted in virtue? How does the practice of Fellowship help me to do this? • How does the practice of Praise, Prayer & Discipline help me to branch out in virtue?
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Our Assistant to the Principal will be in touch with you after your enrollment to help you with next steps, including any placement evaluations that may be required for your course selections.
This registration will be finalized when the student’s placement assessment has been returned by the course instructor with placement confirmation.
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