The Age of Reason (Live)
In this semester-long live course, students will get an overview of early modern history. They will read segments of texts from the renaissance and enlightenment eras and we will discuss them using the Socratic method during class meetings.
New on Outschool
What's included
16 live meetings
13 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursAssignments
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 four of these assignments. They can complete another assignment to replace a grade if they wish, for up to sixteen completed assignments. A student who only completes two assignments may receive a certificate of completion for the course if they so 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 four written assignments.Certificate of Completion
A certificate of completion will be offered as an option for students who complete at least two written assignments.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Course Description: In this sixteen-week class, students will read and discuss a variety of historical texts and events from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment era, and colonial America. 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 four of the optional written assignments. If a student completes two of the assignments, they are eligible to receive a certificate of completion for the course. Students may write more than four 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 sixteen 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.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum16 Lessons
over 16 WeeksLesson 1:
The Medieval Church
Students will read a segment from Eusebius' "The History of the Church." 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:
Medieval France
Students will read a segment from Gregory of Tours' "The History of the Franks." 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:
Medieval Britain
Students will read a segment from Bede's "Ecclesiastical History of the English People." 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:
Exploration
Students will read a segment from Marco Polo's "The Travels." 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: The American Founding: Core Documents. Edited by George Lloyd. Ashland: Ashbrook Center, 2017. Bacon, Francis. The History of the Reign of King Henry VIII. Edited by Brian Vickers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998. Bacon, Francis, Thomas More, and Henry Neville. Edited by Susan Bruce. Three Early Modern Utopias: Utopia, New Atlantis, and The Isle of Pines. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. Bede. Ecclesiastical History of the English People. Translated by DH Farmer, RE Latham, and Leo Sherley-Price. New York: Penguin Classics, 1990. Burckhardt, Jacob. The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy. Translated by SGC Middlemore. New York: Penguin Classics, 1990. Burke, Edmund. Reflections on the Revolution in France. Edited by JGA Pocock. Indianapolis: Hackett. 1987. de Tocqueville, Alexis. The Ancien Regime and the Revolution. Edited and translated by Gerald Bevan. New York: Penguin Classics, 2008. Eusebius. The History of the Church. Edited by Andrew Louth. Translated by GA Williamson. New York: Penguin Classics, 1989. Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography and Other Writings. Edited by L. Jesse Lemich. New York: Signet Classics, 2014. Gregory of Tours. The History of the Franks. Translated by Lewis Thorpe. New York: Penguin Classics, 1976. Hume, David. A Treatise of Human Nature. Edited by Ernest C. Mossner. New York: Penguin Classics, 1986. Locke, John. A Letter Concerning Toleration. Edited by James H. Tully. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1983. Machiavelli, Niccolo. Translated by George Bull. New York: Penguin Classics, 2003. Paine, Thomas. Common Sense, Rights of Man, and Other Essential Writings of Thomas Paine. New York: Signet Classics, 2003. Polo, Marco. The Travels. Translated by Ronald Latham. New York: Penguin Classics, 1958. Voltaire. Treatise on Toleration. Translated by Desmond M. Clarke. New York: Penguin Classics, 2017.
Language of Instruction
English
Joined June, 2024
New on Outschool
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
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.Reviews
Live Group Course
$25
weekly or $400 for 16 classes1x per week, 16 weeks
50 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
1-18 learners per class
