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Year 1

The Great Conversation

$1,685

Curriculum

TGC1 covers Ancient Greece and Rome and the Middle Ages (1200 BC to 1200 AD). Students (grades 9-10) will explore the twin pillars of western civilization introduced in TGC Primer: the Hebrews and the classical world of Greece and Rome. The class will trace the collision course of these world views toward the final showdown over the question, "Who is Lord?" Caesar or Jesus?

TGC1 students will examine the biblical world view through extensive readings in Genesis, Job, the Gospels, and Romans, along with supporting books by other authors, while exploring the Greco-Roman world view through detailed studies of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Plato's Republic, and the Aeneid of Virgil. During the final quarter, students will turn to the Middle Ages and examine the impact of the Church on the Roman Empire in Augustine's City of God.

Home Studies

  • The average student should plan to spend approximately three hours per day (including class time) to complete the reading assignments, answer the discussion questions in the syllabus, and complete the writing and rhetoric assignments.
  • Regular progress reports will be sent to parents.

Credits

  • 1 Credit - English
  • 1 Credit - History
  • 1 Credit - Bible/Apologetics
  • 1 Credit - Philosophy/Theology

Prerequisites

  • Students preparing to enter The Great Conversation would benefit from:
    • a thorough study of world and American history.
    • wide and varied reading.
    • basic writing skills.
    • thorough understanding of English grammar.
    • good typing skills.

Texts & Materials

Notes for Sourcing Books:
  • Most of the links below are from Christianbook, which is a great alternative to Amazon. Sign up for emails to receive free shipping offers.
  • The Syllabus is available from Cornerstone Curriculum. Use the discount code "schola15" for a 15% discount. Families who have previously purchased a Worldviews of the Western World (WVWW) Syllabus may receive an additional 20% discount when purchasing another WVWW Syllabus. Choose "Additional Syllabus" option when ordering online. Free shipping for orders over $200.
  • If a specific edition is noted, be sure to get that exact edition. For books without a specified edition, any edition will do.
  • + These books are consumable or used in class. Siblings taking TGC 1 should each have their own copy.
  • * These books are used in subsequent years of TGC.

Texts

Optional Summer Review

    • 4th edition 2006 or later
    • This overview of the clash and contrast between Greek philosophy and Hebrew wisdom and their role in shaping Western Christianity provides an excellent introduction to the themes introduced in TGC.
    • 2nd edition
    • ISBN: 978-1947644557
    • This "Refresher Grammar" book contains 49 short lessons that will help your student to review English grammar in preparation for TGC 1.

Curriculum

First semester

Second semester

  • The Republic +, Plato
    • Grube translation, NOT the World View Edition available from Cornerstone
  • The Aeneid +, Virgil
    • Fitzgerald translation, NOT the World View Edition available from Cornerstone
  • City of God (Part 1) +, Augustine
    • ISBN 10: 0385029101
    • ISBN 13: 978-0-385-02910-0
    • Abridged version
    • Translation by Walsh, Zema, Monahan, & Honan
    • Edited/Introduction by Vernon Bourke
    • Forward by Etienne Gilson.
    • Multiple covers.
    • NOT the World View Edition available from Cornerstone

Materials

  • A binder, paper, pencils, pens, highlighters, and a red pen.
  • Access to a computer, internet, email, and a printer, as well as ink and paper. Be sure your computer has Adobe Reader.
  • We encourage each family to subscribe to and discuss together World Magazine or listen together to the podcast The World and Everything in It from the World News Group.