by Dr. Sean Collins

I teach in a college whose students are, on the whole, rather impressive. They are without a doubt well above average in their self-discipline, their desire to learn the truth, and their maturity. I count myself fortunate for this, because as a professor I always hope to find students who are teachable, students who will be able to become, in their turn, the standard-bearers of a culture and civilization which are in many ways in decline. Read More

Over the past few years, I have grown more concerned about the negative effects of written exams on our students. In spite of our efforts to promote “learning for its own sake”, and even success in generating engaging discussions from time to time, most of our students seem to approach exams in a slavish or childish spirit. Read More

by John Milton Gregory

Let us suppose the process of teaching to be completed. The teacher and the pupils have met and have done their work together. Language freighted with ideas and aided with illustrations has been spoken and understood. Knowledge has been thought into the minds of the pupils, and it lies there in greater or less completeness, to feed thought, to guide and modify conduct, and to form character. What more is needed? The teacher's work seems ended. But difficult work yet remains, perhaps the most difficult. Read More

Events of Interest

Classical Education and the American Experiment: the Declaration of Independence at 250 (February 25 -27):   The symposium's goal is to pursue together an understanding of the American mind. Attendees will examine how classical learning across the curriculum - from science and math to the fine arts, languages, history, philosophy, and literature - shapes the American experiment in republican government and prepares citizens and leaders for the future.

We Hold These Truths: Liberty, Equality, and Core Texts (March 19-22): At this conference, educators, scholars, and students will examine how core texts grapple with freedom’s scope, equality’s demands, and their interplay across time and place. The conference's paper and panel proposal portal is open.

Institute for Catholic Liberal Education’s (ICLE’s) National Conference (July 14 -1 7): This conference inspires and equips a growing community of educators to reclaim the Catholic Church’s full vision of education and to bring it to life in their classrooms. Join hundreds of educators as they come together to deepen their understanding of the nature and purpose of Catholic education and its roots in the liberal arts tradition.

Further Enrichment

The History of Classical Music: Pythagoras through Beethoven: In this brief course, concert pianist and Hillsdale College Distinguished Fellow Hyperion Knight explains how music has developed and what distinguishes the greatest musical achievements through the life of Beethoven. The course includes four lectures, each approximately 30 minutes long, and a 45-minute concert performance.

Physics and the Quadrivium: Most classical schools teach physics just like any other school does. Read this article to learn how Gavin Polhemus, who attended our recent Learnables conference, used the Quadrivium to elevate his school's physics curriculum.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Funny Profundity, or Inane and Profane?: In consideration of John Milton Gregory's exhortation to review, listen to this talk on the deeper meaning of one of Shakespeare's comedies.

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