This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
A close reading of Chesterton’s masterpiece on “The Dumb Ox,” (who is also known as “The Angelic Doctor”) offering a concise summation of the Summa and a compact tome on Thomism, taught by one of the world’s leading experts on Chesterton.
Total classes: 6
Prerequisite: None. However, it would be a benefit (though not a requirement) if a student has taken a philosophy course. However, this course would be an excellent introduction to philosophy for those who have never had any before.
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th grade (or advanced 9th to 10th grade)
Suggested credit: 1/2 semester credit Literature
Description
A close reading of Chesterton’s masterpiece on “The Dumb Ox,” (who is also known as “The Angelic Doctor”) offering a concise summation of the Summa and a compact tome on Thomism, taught by one of the world’s leading experts on Chesterton.
Outline
Class 1. – An introduction to the book and its author and a discussion of the surprising themes of the book (i.e., that the Protestant Reformation was a reaction against Thomism.)
Class 2. – Ch. 1-2 (Contrast between St. Thomas and St. Francis)
Class 3. – Ch 3-4 (Aristotle)
Class 4. – Ch 4-5 (The Manichees and the Puritans)
Class 5. – Ch 6 (Thomism)
Class 6. – Ch 7-8 (More on Thomism, Conclusion)
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: St. Thomas Aquinas by G.K. Chesterton (Dover) 978-0-486-47145-7 (available at www.chesterton.org)
Homework: The student will have to read one or two chapters each week and review the study questions (posted below) prior to the class in which those chapters are discussed. There will be five reading assignments and a final exam. The grade will be based entirely on the final exam. It should take between 2 and 3 hours of reading and studying to prepare for each class.
