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Course description

COURSE D ESCRIPT ION
This honors course introduces students to some of the greatest works of Catholic literature as well as foundational works of political philosophy and economics. Some of Shakespeare's work; because of its universal character; is also considered in every year of Seat of Wisdom. Students will demonstrate effective use of the English language to communicate both orally and in writing their understanding of and response to the great works they read and the great ideas they encounter. Students will be expected to read daily; write often; and verbally participate in class discussions. The class meets the rhetoric and composition requirements for ENG 102 at Colorado Christian University. NOTE: For this course; there 1s a separate registration process that must be completed with Colorado Christian University in order to complete the dual enrollment process (which includes payment of a $200 tuition fee). Prerequisites : minimum of a C in Honors S.o.W. 5-6 or a minimum of a B in regular S.o.W. 5-6 and a recommendation from the teacher. Student may be moved out of the class at semester if not maintaining a grade average of C or better.

TEXT(S): King Lear; ISBN-13: 9780743482769
Twelfth Night; ISBN-13: 9780743482776
The Ballad of the White Horse; ISBN-13: 9780898708905
The Brothers Karamazov; ISBN-13: 9780393092141 The Power and the Glory; ISBN-13: 9780142437308 Confessions; ISBN-13: 9780872201866
Treatise on Law; ISBN-13: 9780872205482
On Kingsh ip; to the King of Cyprus; ISBN-13: 9781785166709 Second Treatise of Government; ISBN-13: 9780915144860 Principles of Econom;cs; [photocopy]
Rerum Novarum; [photocopy]
The Wind in the Willows - summer reading; ISBN-13: 9780689713101 Dictionary/Thesaurus

CONTENT O UTCOM ES
SEAT OF WISDOM 7-8 CONTENT OUTCOMES:
In Government/ Economics students will beable to:

1. Describe from memory and thoughtfully contrast the central political arguments of St. Thomas Aquinas and John Locke.
2. Explain Menger' s central principles of economics.
3. Articulate a clear understanding of what makes certain economic principles Catholic or not.

In Literature/ Philosophy/Seminarstudents will be able to:

Identify and discuss the plot and major themes of every work studied in the class.

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This course is meant to combine a rapid examination of modern European history with philosophic inquiry into the reasons why that history looks as it does. These reasons include both the specific historical chain of cause and effect and the subtler but more pervasive influence of human nature; sin; and God's providence (especially through the history of the Church) . The instructor will help students to deepen their reading of each individual work of literature; moving from a clear understanding of plot and character to an understanding of theme and argument. The instructor will also develop an understanding of the themes that unite or divide these texts and; by directing the students to these themes; assist them in beginning to understand how these texts (as well as the ideas of history) are all participating in a timeless conversation into which they are invited. In freshman year students focused upon the natural human yearning for a better life ("Our hearts are restless..."); in sophomore year they focused upon the difficulty of the journey towards such a life; indeed; its impossibility without God
{" ...until they rest in thee"); and in junior year they inquired into exactly what the good life entails in this world; both its nature and its duties or prerequisites. There are many crucial themesthat Senior year will examine; but the year as a whole is unified by an examination of the Catholic understanding of how to organize and conduct the best possible life while surrounded by individuals and cultures that are ignorant of or even overtly hostile towards the good.

SKI LL OUTCOMES
SEAT OF WISDOM 7-8 SKILL OUTCOMES:
In Literature/Philosophy/Seminar students will be able to:

1. Identify the major themes; tone; plot; and basic structure of a piece of literature .
2. Outline the steps in a philosophic argument.
3. Interact with peers and the instructor in Socratic Seminar formally and with conscious courtesy.
4. Thoughtfully describe an author's apparent intention in a work of fiction or philosophy and enumerate the specific appeals used by the author to persuade the reader.
S. Express insights based upon a work of literature or philosophy; but broadly applicable beyond it; in conversation with peers and the instructor.
6. Respond thoughtfully to a classmate's assertions concerning a text multiple times in a single exchange.
7. Support analysis of a text with carefully-chosen passages and closely analyze specific textual details suggested by peers and the instructor to support or to question their conclusions in conversation.

In Writing students will be able to:

1. Use precise and intentionally chosen diction; including accurately identifying and using a philosophic author's own terminology.
2. Compose a clear and focused paragraph within the body of an essay; quoting and analyzing 3 carefully­ chosen passages to prove a specific non-obvious statement to be likely to be true about a work of literature.
3. Use close analysis of diction to reveal a deeper or more nuances interpretation of a passage of fiction or philosophy.
4. Compose a well-structured essay of around 8 pages and more than five paragraphs. The essay should focus closely upon proving; using carefully-chosen citations and close analysis; a specific non-obvious assertion concerning the philosophic argument of a work of literature or philosophy.
5. Format an academic essay according to MLA standards.

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6. Use either Word or Google Docs efficiently and effectively to compose; access; and store an essay.

In Reading/Listening students will be able to:

1. Take and organize useful notes on a separate paper/notebook while reading a text; listening to a lecture; or participating in a seminar discussion.
2. Annotate a text usefully while reading (neither too much nor too little; using written words as well as underlining/highlighting; and notingimportant content; personal reactions/ideas; and structure).
3. Look up or deduce by context the meaning of difficult vocabulary.
4. Break down longer or more complex sentence structures to determine specific meaning more readily.
5. Create a reading environment more conducive to the retention of detail and to intellectual and imaginative engagement.
6. Consistently read and annotate 17-20 pages of literature (of average density) a night or 12-14 pages of formal philosophy.

Early in the year; some time should be devoted to reviewing the basic practices and expectations of Seat of Wisdom: how to read and retain important details; how to take useful notes; how to draw conclusions from the specifics of a text; and how to engage in seminar regularly and successfully. In all Seat of Wisdom classes; it is crucial to establish an intentional class culture. Last names should be used at all times. Students should be reminded of the practices of courtesy and collegial formality they have practices over the last two years and these standards should be enforced consistently; with frequent feedback to help students understand where they are falling short and how to improve. As this is the last year at St. Mary's before students enter into a new phase of life; considerable effort should be directed towards developing the virtues and habits that will lead to success in the less structured and controlled environment of a college campus. It is more important than ever that students be persuaded to take pride in what they are able to do in Seat of Wisdom: the ideas they are grasping; the texts they are reading; the conversations they are guiding. Many of their college professors will; sadly; attempt to cast scorn on all that they have learned at St. Mary's; it is one of the crucial responsibilities of the Senior instructor to build up their resistance to such assaults. The natural camaraderie and excitement of Senior year; if harnessed successfully; may be useful in this endeavor.

The average student should enter the class able to write; after a little basic review; a 6-page essay without undue difficulty. A short early essay assignment will help the instructor identify students in need of remedial assistance. Over the course of the year theses should improve in their precision; their philosophic nature; and the depth of inquiry they represent. Students should be encouraged to develop their rhetorical style and begin to consider how to make their language both persuasive and beautiful. Writing on government and economics should also provide a useful opportunity to teach students different approaches to organizing and focusing an academic essay. Most essays this year should be in the 6-8 page range; with at least two requiring 8 pages or more. At least six essays assignments should be given over the course of the year.

Assessments should reflect the course outcomes. Hence; students' participation in class (assessed through daily notes taken during discussion) and conscientious reading at home (assessed through daily quizzes) will be the major forms of assessment. Literature should not be assessed through tests; but only through essays; while history and philosophy may be assessed with an essay or a test that eschews multiple-choice questions (we want to teach students how to know and how to explain what they know; not how to guess).

SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

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SEAT OF WISDOM 7:
2 weeks of writing and writing instruction.

SAlNT MARY'S
(:-.fMOl.1C 14;('Hf SC"t-lOOL

A. The Wind in the Willows: 1 week - Discuss summer reading while reviewing seminar practices.
8. The Ballad of the White Horse: 2 weeks
C. Confessions: 3 weeks
D. Treatise on Law (Summa Theologiae I-II; 90-1.05): 3 weeks
E. King Lear: 2 weeks
F. Second Treatise of Government : 3 weeks
G. On Kingship: 1 week
H. Twelfth Night: 1 week

SEAT OF WISDOM 8:
2 weeks of writing and writing instruction .

A. The Brothers Karamazov - 7 weeks
B. The Power and the Glory - 2 weeks
C. Principles of Economics {I-VIII} - 6 weeks
D. "Rerun; Novarum" - 1 week

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Approved

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• SSCI
• 1 year of other Social Science

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Online / Virtual