LITERATURE SEMINAR

Four different once-a-month seminars discuss some of the most significant literature in history. From selections out of the inspired Bible to the best of Christian and non-Christian literature the student may study the clever wisdom of Aesop’s Fables or Pascal’s Pensee; he may be inspired by the courage of the Song of Roland or provoked to thought by the tragedy of Shakespeare’s Macbeth; he may be challenged by the thoughtful reflection of C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity or the intellectual challenge of The U.S. Constitution or Federalist Paper.

This discussion venue is required for all History 102 & 105 students and meets once per month on a designated Wednesday afternoon once a month from 3-4 p.m.  It is included in the history tuition but is also offered as a stand-alone course for teens or adults at $15/mo. There are actually 4 different seminars, 2-3 offered per year and rotated every other year corresponding to the history courses offered.

In studying and discussing these books they will learn particular skills such as summarizing the storyline and message of the book, learning the elements of narrative and drama, learning to interpret figures of speech, how to do a book report and review, characteristics of various kinds of literature (narrative, epic, essay, etc), analyzing the truth claims in light of Scripture, distinguishing themes and motifs,

In addition to the 35+ books read by the students and discussed in the Literature Seminar there is reading that goes with various classes which are not discussed in seminar format. In all there are 40-50 pieces of literature that a student would read if he took a full range of Quo Vadis classes.

At the bottom of the page is the Quo Vadis Senior Reading List– the list of books students would read in the course of studies if they take all of our history courses and the English: Research Paper class. Even those who only take a few classes will be greatly enriched by some of the greatest literature in western history.

Note: Not all of the books are read because they come from a Christian worldview. In some cases it is a study of faulty concepts as well as correct ones in order that they may learn discernment. Make certain that you are willing to have your children read these books because they are mandatory and cannot be substituted since they will be discussed as a class.

Literature Seminar for 102, associated with History 102: Divine Viewpoint Framework and the Ancient World. This seminar is normally taught every year once a month  (with variations due to holidays).

• Genesis
• The Aeneid by Virgil
• Proverbs
• 1 Maccabees
• Job
• Plato (selections)
• Galatians/Ephesians
• Select Lives by Plutarch
• Antigony/The Clouds

Literature Seminar for 105, associated with History 105: American History. This seminar is normally taught on a designated day every other year.

Reading list associated with English Research Papers.

Each course will require reading the assigned book of the month and producing a report or other written study before coming to class. The class time involves interacting with content of the monthly required reading to gain its message and evaluate it from a Christian perspective with their application to themselves and human society.