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Classical History (Live)

In this 8-week live course, students will get an overview of ancient, medieval, and early modern history. They will read segments of texts from these eras, and we will discuss them using the Socratic method during class meetings.
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Class

What's included

8 live meetings
6 hrs 40 mins in-class hours
Assignments
1-2 hours per week. Short but dense reading assignments will be required prior to each class meeting. Weekly optional writing assignments of around 250 words will also be offered. I will provide grading and feedback on these assignments if it is desired. In order to receive a grade for the course, students must complete at least two of these assignments. They can complete another assignment to replace a grade if they wish, for up to eight completed assignments. A student who only completes one assignment may receive a certificate of completion for the course if they choose. Written assignments are entirely optional. The only requirement for the course is reading and participating in class discussions.
Letter Grade
Letter grades will be offered as an option for students who complete at least two written assignments.
Certificate of Completion
A certificate of completion will be offered as an option for students who complete at least one written assignment.

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
Course Description:

In this eight-week class, students will read and discuss a variety of historical texts and events from ancient Greece, ancient Rome, the medieval period, and the Enlightenment era. Class meetings will utilize a Socratic format where the instructor facilitates a discussion using guided questions. This enables students to interact with each other, the instructor, and the content more actively than in a traditional lecture-style course.

Please note that this course will explore a variety of potentially difficult topics, ideas, and events from divergent perspectives. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to review the overview section below in order to determine if they want their child to analyze and discuss this content. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.

*****All learners will be required to have their cameras on for the duration of the live class meetings. This promotes an engaged learning environment for all students.*****

Assignments and Grading Policies:

Each class meeting will have an assigned reading of a segment from a historical text. Students are free to read more of each text if they so choose, but the class discussion and optional written assignments will focus on the assigned passages. 

It is important that students do the assigned readings in order to get the most out of the course. Given the difficulty of these texts, I only expect that students have made a good faith effort to understand the content before each class meeting, not that they have successfully done so. 

Additionally, students will have the opportunity to submit written work for feedback and grading if they so choose. In order to obtain a grade, students will have to complete two of the optional written assignments. If a student completes one of the assignments, they are eligible to receive a certificate of completion for the course.

Students may write more than two written assignments if they so choose. They may also write an additional assignment if they wish to replace a previous grade. I will grade up to eight assignments for each student. The use or aid of any AI tools or large language models is prohibited for written assignments in this course.

Students who do not wish to receive a grade or a certificate are welcome to do as much or as little written work as they like. The only requirement for enrollment is participation in weekly Socratic discussions about the assigned readings.

*****Readings and written assignments are placed on the date that they are due on the syllabus, not the date that they are assigned.*****
Learning Goals
Students will hone their critical thinking and analytical skills, practice actively participating in group discussions, and gain a better cultural and historical understanding of their world.
Students will come away having read portions of a variety of texts that give them a better understanding of the people, events, and ideas that led to modern civilization.
learning goal

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
8 Lessons
over 8 Weeks
Lesson 1:
The Persian Wars
 Students will read a segment from Herodotus' histories. We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it in the events of the period. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.

There will also be an optional written assignment. 
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
The Peloponnesian War
 Students will read a segment from Thucydides' chronicle of the Peloponnesian War. We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it in the events of the period. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.

There will also be an optional written assignment. 
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
The Roman Republic
 Students will read a segment from Livy's "The Early History of Rome." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it in the events of the period. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.

There will also be an optional written assignment. 
50 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
The Roman Empire
 Students will read a segment from Plutarch's "Fall of the Roman Republic." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it in the events of the period. Then we will have a Socratic discussion based on guided reading questions.

There will also be an optional written assignment. 
50 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Parental Guidance
Please note that this course will explore a variety of potentially difficult topics, ideas, and events from divergent perspectives. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to review the syllabus in order to determine if they wish their child to analyze and discuss this content. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.
Supply List
If your student wishes to read more than the assigned portions of each text, or if you prefer to have physical copies of the books themselves, below is a comprehensive list of the editions we will be using in this course:

Galilei, Galileo. Discoveries and Opinions of Galileo. Translated by Stillman Drake. New York:  Anchor Books, 1957.

Herodotus. The Landmark Herodotus: The Histories. Edited by Robert B. Strassler. Translated by Andrea L. Purvis. New York: Vintage Books, 2007.

John of Joinville and Geoffrey of Villehardouin. Chronicles of the Crusades. Translated by Caroline Smith. New York: Penguin Classics, 2008.

Livy. The Early History of Rome. Translated by Aubrey de Selincourt. London: Penguin Classics, 2002.

Luther, Martin. Three Treatises: The Annotated Luther Study Edition. Edited by James M. Estes, Erik H. Herrmann, Paul W. Robinson, and Timothy J. Wengert. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2016.

Plutarch. Fall of the Roman Republic. Translated by Robin Seager and Rex Warner. London:  Penguin Classics, 2005.

Thucydides. The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War.  Edited by Robert B. Strassler. Translated by Richard Crawley. New York: Free Press, 2008.
Language of Instruction
English
Joined June, 2024
New on Outschool
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Philosophy from Northern Illinois University
Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Illinois Wesleyan University
I have a BA in Philosophy with minors in Political Science and Greek and Roman Studies, as well as an MA in Philosophy with a concentration in Ethics and Political Philosophy. I’m the head coach of a competitive high school debate team and teach the liberal arts at a classical school. I’m also a professional creative writer and journalist.

I love helping students of all ages understand and interpret difficult subjects and learn how to crystallize their thoughts in writing and oral communication. I believe studying historical primary sources is a wonderful way to facilitate this kind of growth and learning.

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Live Group Course
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$25

weekly or $200 for 8 classes
1x per week, 8 weeks
50 min

Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
1-18 learners per class

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