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Stoicism (Live)

Ages 10-14
Live Group Course
In this 4-week live course, students will learn all about stoic philosophy. They will read segments of philosophical texts, and we will discuss them using the Socratic method during class meetings.
Live video meetings
1x per week, 4 weeks
1-18 learners per class
50 min

What's included

4 live meetings
3 hrs 20 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 one of these assignments. They can complete another assignment to replace a grade if they wish, for up to four completed assignments. A student who does not complete any of the assignments but attends and meaningfully participates in each live session 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 one written assignment.
Certificate of Completion
A certificate of completion will be offered as an option for students who both attend and meaningfully participate in every live session.

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8
Course Description:

In this four-week class, students will read and discuss segments from a variety of stoic philosophers’ writings. 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 philosophical 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 one of the optional written assignments. If a student does not complete any of the assignments but attends and meaningfully participates in each live session, they are eligible to receive a certificate of completion for the course.

Students may write more than one written assignment if they so choose. They may also write an additional assignment if they wish to replace a previous grade. I will grade up to four 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 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 reading comprehension skills, practice actively participating in group discussions, and gain a better cultural and analytical understanding of their world.
Students will come away having read portions of several philosophical texts that give them a better understanding of themselves and others.

Syllabus

Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum
4 Lessons
over 4 Weeks
Lesson 1:
What Is Up to Us
 Students will read a segment from Epictetus' "Enchiridion." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. 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 Tranquil Mind
 Students will read a segment from Seneca's "On Tranquility of the Mind." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. 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 Power of Reason
 Students will read a segment from Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. 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 Stoic Test
 Students will read a segment from William B. Irvine's "The Stoic Challenge." We will go over the reading in class and the instructor will contextualize it. 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 the texts, or if you prefer to have a physical copy of the books themselves, below are the editions we will be using in this course:

Aurelius, Marcus. Meditations. Translated by Gregory Hays. New York: Modern Library, 2002.

Epictetus. Discourses and Selected Writings. Edited and translated by Robert Dobbin. New York:  Penguin Classics, 2008. 

Irvine, William B. The Stoic Challenge: A Philosopher’s Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, and More Resilient. New York: Norton, 2021.

Seneca, Lucius Annaeus. Hardship and Happiness. Translated by Elaine Fantham, Harry M. Hine, James Ker, and Gareth D. Williams. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2016.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Aurelius, Marcus. Meditations. Translated by Gregory Hays. New York: Modern Library, 2002. Epictetus. Discourses and Selected Writings. Edited and translated by Robert Dobbin. New York: Penguin Classics, 2008. Irvine, William B. The Stoic Challenge: A Philosopher’s Guide to Becoming Tougher, Calmer, and More Resilient. New York: Norton, 2021. Seneca, Lucius Annaeus. Hardship and Happiness. Translated by Elaine Fantham, Harry M. Hine, James Ker, and Gareth D. Williams. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2016.

Meet the teacher

Joined June, 2024
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 philosophy is a wonderful way to facilitate this kind of growth and learning.

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