“Nothing is more common in an age like this, when books abound, than to fancy that the gratification of a love of reading is real study…Such youths often profess to like poetry, or to like history or biography; they are fond of lectures on certain of the physical sciences…but they do not like logic, they do not like algebra, they have no taste for mathematics; which only means that they do not like application, they do not like attention, they shrink from the effort and labour of thinking.” (St. John Henry Newman)
The ancient wise men on whose teaching western civilization was built taught that the study of seven arts were necessary for a free man to know Wisdom and live virtuously. These seven arts were: Grammar, Reasoning, Rhetoric, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy. The ancient philosophers taught them all and their teachings remain with us today. This is the classical Catholic curriculum we study and teach in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy.
While the truth of the classical Catholic curriculum will never change, we live in times when modern governments and business have established requirements that, to some degree, must be fulfilled. In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we provide students with the opportunity to satisfy these requirements without sacrificing the true end of education.
Table of contents
Classical Catholic Studies
Trivium
The “Trivium” is a set of three arts, which provide a student with the language, reasoning and communication skills necessary for the pursuit of true Wisdom.
The first art of the Trivium, and first of the seven classical liberal arts, is Grammar, through which we learn to read, write and speak rightly in any language. Grammar consists of four parts: Orthography, Etymology, Syntax and Prosody. In orthography, students learn the written letters of a language and the sounds they represent. In Etymology, students learn the various forms of the parts of speech. In Syntax, students learn the rules of sentence construction. Lastly, in Prosody, students learn the true art of pronunciation, which includes accent, rhythm and meter.
The second art of the Trivium, and second of the seven classical liberal arts, is Reasoning, through which we learn of the five kinds of predicables, the ten most general genera of predicables, the formation of propositions, the doctrine of the syllogism, the science of demonstrative reasoning, the science of dialectical reasoning, and the solution of sophistical fallacies. These concepts, which form the Aristotelean or Scholastic Method of investigation, are studied in the six books of Aristotle’s Organon.
The third art of the Trivium, and third of the seven classical liberal arts, is Rhetoric, through which we learn, as Aristotle says, “to discover the available means of persuasion” in any circumstance. Our sources for this study are the Rhetorical works of Aristotle, Cicero and Quintillian.
Quadrivium
The “Quadrivium” is a set of four arts, which provide a student with the art and science of the four species of Quantity. Mathematics were introduced by Pythagoras, as a means of ascending intellectually from the observation of sensible things to the contemplation of immaterial things, which is the ultimate aim of philosophy.
The first art of the Quadrivium, and fourth of the seven classical liberal arts, is Arithmetic, through which we learn the art and science of absolute multitude or number. The ancient sources for this study are numerous and we study them through a 19th century text that collected the teachings of the ancients on Arithmetic.
The second art of the Quadrivium, and sixth of the seven classical liberal arts, is Geometry, through which we learn the art and science of magnitudes at rest. This art is named “Geometry” or the “measurement of the Earth”, because, throughout history, it was argued by the wise men that the earth (Ge in Greek) was a body at rest. The source for this study is the famous text of Euclid, the Elements, which has been studied for over 2,300 years.
The third art of the Quadrivium, and fifth of the seven classical liberal arts, is Music, through which we learn the art and science of relative multiude, or ratio. Our source for this study is the 6th century Catholic scholar Boethius, whose work on the Art of Music, has been a standard text for 1,400 years.
The fourth art of the Quadrivium, and last of the seven classical liberal arts, is Astronomy, through which we learn the art and science of magnitudes in motion. This art is named “Astronomy” or “rule of the stars” because it was the conviction of the ancients that the stars were bodies in motion about the earth. The sources for this study include Aristotle and Ptolemy, which have been studied for 2,000 years. Modern “Copernican” Astronomy may also be studied, but serves a different purpose.
Philosophy
Philosophy is the pursuit of Wisdom by means of Reason. In the 13th century, St. Thomas Aquinas explained that true Philosophy divides into four classes: Rational Philosophy, by which man learns to order his thoughts; Moral Philosophy, by which man learns to order his will; Natural Philosophy, by which sman learns the order of created things in the natural world; and, Practical Arts, by which man learns to order external things in his control.
In the first of the three philosophical sciences, Ethics, we study the science by which we may learn to pursue happiness by the right ordering of our will. Aristotle explained that the goal of this study is “not merely to know about virtue, but to be good men.” We study this science in Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics, following the interpretation provided by St. Thomas Aquinas.
In the second of the three philosophical sciences, Physics, we study the science by which we may discover the order that exists in sensible things. We begin the study of this science in Aristotle’s Physics, following the interpretation provided by St. Thomas Aquinas. After this general study has been completed, students can move on to Aristotle’s minor works on natural philosophy, which include: De Caelo, De Generatione, Meteororum, De Mineralibus, De Anima, etc..
In the third of the three philosophical sciences, Metaphysics, we study the science by which we may discover the order that exists in insensible things. We begin the study of this science in Aristotle’s Metaphysics, following the interpretation provided by St. Thomas Aquinas.
Theology
Theology, the science of God, is the most noble of all studies and the end of the classical Catholic homeschool curriculum. This science is beyond the reach of human Reason and requires divine revelation. This science is pursued through two different sources: Sacred Scripture, which contains the content of divine revelation, and Sacred Tradition, by which Sacred Scripture is rightly interpreted and applied to all other studies.
The seventy-three books of the Old and New Testament, Sacred Scripture, contain all of the content of divine revelation. These books have been handed down to us in their original languages, which are most authoritative, and in translation. As the Sacred Scriptures are unlike any human writings, and are intended for more than mere academic learning, they are studied in a number of ways: in daily devotional reading (lectio divina), in academic reading, in public liturgical reading, etc.
The authoritative interpretation of divine revelation is known as Sacred Tradition. The knowledge of Sacred Tradition is sought through the study of the catechetical works and writings of the Doctors of the Catholic Church. In the Academy, we study Sacred Tradition through the Baltimore Catechism and Summa Theologica.
“Though we should read much, we should not read many books.” (Pliny)
Humanities
The final subject area of the classical Catholic curriculum is the Humanities. These studies are not essential to the classical Catholic curriculum, but enrich those that are, contributing greatly to them. The Humanities divide into the study of History, Literature and the Fine Arts.
History’s wisest men have commended the study of History, not for the sake of political propaganda or mere school requirements, but for the sake of Wisdom. Cicero said, “Whoever does not know what happened before he was born remains forever a child.” St. Augustine wrote, “Anything that we learn from history about the chronology of past times assists us very much in understanding the Scriptures.” In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we offer students a World Chronology course that surveys world history from a Catholic perspective and a complete history program that covers the history of the Ancient, Classical, Medieval and Modern periods.
In the study of Literature, we study not as spectators looking to be entertained by others, but as students seeking to imitate the masters in our own works, for our own generation. With a foundation of studies in the classical liberal arts, we are able to study the works of the great poets, playwrights and novelists who shared enjoyed a classical education themselves. The Academy offers four courses in English Literature, beginning with English translation of the ancient poets, continuing with the medieval classics, and continuing through modern authors.
Imitation takes the form not only of writing but also of drawing, painting, music, dance, sculpture and more in the Fine Arts. While these studies require formal training for mastery, we provide students with theoretical studies that might not be found in local programs, to help them build a strong foundation in the fine arts.
Modern K-12 Studies
In modern society, children are required to satisfy grade-level requirements in the following five subject areas. The challenge in classical Catholic education is satisfying these modern requirements as efficiently as possible. Progress in modern studies is easily evaluated by standardized tests taken at the end of each year.
English Language Arts
In the study of English Language Arts, the Academy provides students with an efficient and well-ordered path to the mastery of modern reading, writing, grammar and communication standards. Using proven instructional resources and methods developed for college preparatory education, students develop the ability to read attentively, write clearly and communicate effectively. These studies complement the classical liberal arts curriculum by providing students with the practical language skills expected in modern academic and professional settings.
“The sayings of the wise are like goads; like fixed spikes are the collected sayings given by one shepherd. As to more than these, my son, beware. Of the making of many books there is no end.” (Solomon)
Foreign Langauge Arts
In the study of Foreign Language, the Academy recommends the study of Latin as the most beneficial language for students pursuing a classical and college preparatory education. Through the study of Latin, students develop a deeper understanding of grammar, vocabulary and the structure of language itself, while also gaining direct access to the intellectual, theological and literary tradition of Western civilization. For students seeking instruction in modern languages, the Academy also provides effective resources designed for contemporary language acquisition and college preparation. In addition to Latin Studies (see Trivium section above), we are working to offer several modern language courses.
Modern Mathematic
In the study of Modern Mathematics, the Academy provides students with a clear and efficient course of instruction in arithmetic, algebra, geometry and advanced mathematical studies required for modern secondary and college preparatory education. Using established modern instructional materials while maintaining orderly and rational methods of study, students are prepared to meet contemporary academic standards without abandoning the intellectual discipline characteristic of classical education.
“If you carefully search for the cause of those errors you will find that it lies in the fact that in these days when the natural sciences absorb so much study, the more severe and lofty studies have been proportionately neglected – some of them have almost passed into oblivion.” (Pope St. Pius X)
Modern Sciences
In the study of Modern Sciences, the Academy provides students with instruction in biology, chemistry, physics and related scientific disciplines through resources developed for modern academic standards and college preparation. Students learn the foundational principles and discoveries of contemporary science while studying them within an orderly philosophical framework that respects reason, natural law and the intelligibility of creation. The Academy seeks to provide a balanced scientific education free from ideological confusion and materialistic assumptions.
Social Studies
In the study of Social Studies, the Academy provides students with instruction in history, geography, civics, economics and related subjects necessary for a complete modern education. Using established educational resources and college preparatory materials, students gain an understanding of human societies, governments and historical developments while learning to evaluate social and political questions according to reason, morality and historical evidence.
