Minor in Classical Learning

The Classical Learning minor will encourage students to become life-long learners, as any good instructor is. Classical Learning minors will also take a class called “History of the Liberal Arts,” which will introduce them to the concepts of the trivium and quadrivium, which lay at the heart of classical education. The trivium begins with grammar, teaching students to read, write, and express ideas. It continues with logic, teaching students how to examine the world around them and learn the principles of causation and good reasoning. Finally, the trivium concludes with rhetoric, helping students apply all they have learned to express their ideas persuasively and, when done correctly, lead them and others to the Good. The quadrivium focuses on arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. Tracing the evolution of these liberal arts, students will consider whether classical learning is primarily a methodology of language, an open-ended inquiry into the arguments of the great books, or an attempt to shape the affections of students to love what is lovely (or some other alternative). Students will also consider the relationship of these liberating arts to a free society, especially in the United States. After this course, students will move onto their second Classical Learning cCourse, “Methods of Classical Learning.” Historically, a classical education relies upon the student generating questions, examining phenomena, and arriving at conclusions for themselves. In this class, students will look closely at some of history’s most masterfully led conversations both to experience the struggle and joy of the learner, and to analyze the patience and caution of the instructor in a classical classroom. Works used in this course are often taught in higher levels of classical schools, so students will also have the opportunity to explain, summarize, and interpret texts about which they will find themselves leading conversations in the future. In addition, the course will familiarize students with the day-to-day, practical skills expected of instructors in classical classrooms, the nuts and bolts of classical learning, while receiving feedback from their instructors and peers. Finally, students in Classical Learning must take Elementary Latin I. Latin language is a common feature in classical schools, and this will provide a basic introduction. To complete the Classical Learning minor, students will also take four additional courses to broaden their scope of familiarity within the classical disciplines. Courses like logic, English grammar, Euclidian geometry, and Latin will challenge their ability to question the world around them in a productive way, while also giving them the tools to relate to their students who will be taking these subjects. The Classical Learning minor at Ashland University will be open to students of any program and discipline. Ashland University recognized the benefit of this program in their feasibility study, noting that “These programs have the opportunity to help Ashland University stand out among neighboring competitors by offering programs not yet developed by other universities.”

Undergraduate

Active