Upper-School Ancient Classics (Roman Year)

Great Books Pedagogy: This course offers high school students an in-depth exploration of the classics—the best, most beautiful, and most influential books of Civilization. Students will read and discuss important texts from the three ancient cultures that became the inheritance of the classical Christian world: the Hebrews, the Greeks, and the Romans. Rooted in the tradition of the “Great Books,” Scholé Academy’s History and Literature courses focus on primary sources.

Students will approach these works as both a window and a mirror.  As a window, these texts offer a point of access to the cultures and stories of real people who inhabited the pre-Christian world.  Yet classic texts speak not only of other times; they appeal to timeless truths.  By considering oneself in the light of enduring concepts of wisdom, justice, and virtue, readers are compelled to take a careful look in the mirror. The study of classic works naturally leads to the practice of the Socratic method, the goal of which is to humbly “know thyself.”

Greek and Roman Years: This course features deep engagement with select works in a wide variety of genres—epic poetry, lyric poetry, drama, moral philosophy, natural philosophy, historical narrative, myth, biography, wisdom literature, laws, and speeches. Given the range of material available from antiquity, it is impossible to capture the full scope in a single year course.

This course will operate on a two-year rotation.  Both years will include selected works from four important traditions—Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, and the early Christians.  The first year will emphasize the Greek tradition (“Greek Year”), while the second rotation will emphasize the Roman (“Roman Year”).  Student can take a single rotation to receive a strong introduction to the Ancient classics, or they may take both years to get the full experience.  A specific order is not required for students who wish to take both rotations—they are modular.

Syllabus: View course syllabus here.

Goals: What should students expect from this course?  First, we aim to create a supportive environment in which students may practice the art of close reading, grow in their love of the classics, and be inspired to return to them throughout their lives. The teacher will serve as an experienced guide and an encouraging coach.

Brief and informative secondary texts, such as a historical atlas, as well as brief in-class lectures by the teacher, will provide students with contextual understanding—geography, timeline, current historical research, and archaeological findings. Thus, while emphasizing close reading of primary texts, students will survey the historical period, acquire important background knowledge, and gain a clear historical perspective.

Faithful Scholarship: Study of the pre-Christian world offers ample opportunities to see the ways in which Christendom adopted and transformed—one might even say transfigured— the pagan world.  The course will emphasize those aspects of antiquity which illuminate early Christianity and anticipate the rise of Christendom. 

To read pagan authors faithfully requires at least two important disciplines.  First, we must approach the texts charitably, avoiding a critical spirit motivated by defensiveness and fear. We treat classic authors as if they were friends who have something to teach us.  This leads to the second discipline:  as we read with charity, we will learn to glean every available truth and “take every thought captive” for the sake of Christ.

Credit hours: The modern subjects of “history” and “literature” do not do justice to the rich variety of works represented in the great books of civilization.  While it is not possible to separate this material into two distinct courses, successful students will nonetheless gain both an understanding of ancient history and a facility in the art of reading ancient literature.  Thus, graduates of the course may list it as two-credits—both “History” and “Literature”—on their High School transcript.

Assessment: Students will be assessed on reading completion and comprehension.  They will regularly report their progress to the instructor and answer questions about the reading.  In addition to reading, students will be expected to participate in class (regular attendance, active attention, and appropriate contributions), complete short compositions (1-3 paragraphs), and memorize occasional brief passages (3-10 lines).

How much time will students spend on homework?
This varies by student according to his or her pace. However, students are generally assigned 5–7 hours of reading each week, keeping in mind that this is a two-credit history and literature course.

Placement: Placement recommendations are slightly different for Scholé Academy students and St. Raphael School students depending on the coursework completed prior to this class.

Scholé Academy

• This course is suitable for rising 10th–12th graders.
• Students are expected to have strong reading skills as well as an interest and a capacity for discussing literature and history.
• Compositions will be assessed according to the grade-level of the student.

St. Raphael School

• This course is suitable for rising 9th–12th graders who have completed all cycles of Liberal Arts Levels 1–5 and/or one cycle of Level 6.
• Students are expected to have strong reading skills as well as an interest and a capacity for discussing literature and history.
• Compositions will be assessed according to the grade-level of the student.

At Scholé Academy, we have carefully considered how we should engage our contemporary culture as those who believe that Christ is the Truth (John 14:6), and that all truth has its source in him. We think it is important to provide our upper school students (in grades 7-12) with tools and opportunities for critically examining various cultural trends, issues and mores through the lens of orthodox, Christian beliefs. Being confident in the truth revealed to us in creation, the Scriptures, and the tradition of the church, we are not afraid to follow the truth and its implications nor to address error and falsehood. … Read more about our Faith & Culture.