Age: 14+ High School 1 Full Credit
In this upper level class, explore some of the greatest epics, books, and poetry written in the history of the world. The course is designed to prepare students for college level literature and writing classes.
This course examines the perennial theme of man trying to achieve happiness in spite of the difficulties of life. Every work will be analyzed from a historical, literary perspective as well as a Christian worldview. The class involves significant writing and reading, and will include either entire books or sections from the following great works purchased separately:
- Invitation to the Classics
- The Odyssey
- Augustine’s Confessions
- The Divine Comedy – 3 Vols
- Gawain and the Green Knight
- Hamlet
- Paradise Lost
- Pride and Prejudice
- Tale of Two Cities
- Heart of Darkness
- Six Centuries of Great Poetry
- On Writing Well
- The Elements of Style
Regular writing assignments included local students presenting papers publicly to the class in a seminar-style setting, in addition to regular discussion.
Thomas Purifoy, Jr. is an author and teacher who studied English and Creative Writing at Vanderbilt University. He takes a special interest in understanding the way literature functions, as well as how we write about it.
This course is part of our Lecture Series that was filmed in front of a live classroom. As a result, it includes engagement with students and sometimes references the local situation.
- 28 videos (~1 hour each)
- 6 papers
- Multiple books and poems
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- Direct encouragement from instructors.
- Additional links of interest that support learning in the course.
- Live Zoom meetings with facilitators to discuss lecture material and assignments.
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Preview the assignments for this course in the scope and sequence.
Course Content
Introduction & Materials
About Instructor
Thomas Purifoy, Jr.
A creative filmmaker who develops unique learning resources intended to advance the Kingdom of God. Thomas helped develop a classical-based curriculum, and taught philosophy, Old Testament, film and history at the American School of Lyon, France. Thomas studied English at Vanderbilt University and is a former Officer in the US Navy. He currently oversees Compass Classroom and Compass Cinema.
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