Page 45 - Class Catalog

CLASSICAL TRACK COURSES

• Ancient History (5th-8th) (Dialectic) - Ancient History takes advantage of the middle school
student's developing ability to ask and answer analytical questions and organize information.
We will read the historical texts of the Bible in chronological order and connect them to World
History. We will cover Ancient World History (3000 BC – 312 AD). Students will link ancient
world history with the Bible and early Christianity, identify some ancient artworks, memorize
a timeline, and write a weekly short paper related to a topic the student chooses that is
introduced that week, whether a book summary, a biography, a work of art, a work of
literature, or a predetermined primary source. The first quarter will include learning modern
Mediterranean and Asian countries and their capitals. In course, we will share our research,
connect ideas, participate in hands-on activities, and rehearse as a class for four dramatic
recitation performances. Core Texts: The Bible, the version the student reads at home
and in church, DK Smithsonian History: From the Dawn of Civilization to the Present
Day, Third Edition (ISBN 978-1-4654-3797-6), pp. 46-151, Chapter 2, Rulers &
Hierarchies, and Chapter 3, Thinkers & Believers. [This text is good for three years of
Dialectic World History], Thomas-Nelson The Chronological Guide to the Bible: Explore
God's Word in Historical Order (ISBN 978-1418541750) Recommended, but not required:
National Geographic Concise History of the World: An Illustrated Timeline (ISBN 978-1-
4262-1178-2) [This text is good for 3 years of Dialectic/MS World History and 4 years of
Rhetoric/HS World & American History], A chronological version of your family’s preferred
Bible. Instructor: Laura Kiefer

• Rhetoric-stage Ancient History (HS) - **May Be Offered 2019-2020** High School
(Rhetoric) Ancient History takes advantage of the burgeoning adult's desire to formulate
their own opinions and assert them. We will study 3800 BC-312 AD. The world history text is
purposely narrative to invite discussion and disagreement. We will acknowledge ancient
history controversies and encourage students to explore those that interest them. Students
will read the historical texts of the Bible and connect them to ancient world history, explore
some early Christian primary sources, identify some ancient artworks, memorize a timeline,
work out short, memorable descriptions of important historical events and develop coherent
arguments about two historical controversies of their choice. The first quarter will include
reviewing modern Mediterranean and Asian countries and their capitals. We will discuss
historical events, people, themes and primary sources in class and on-line in Engrade posts
and comments during the week and connect history to geography on-line as a class on
weekly, interactive, class maps. Students will incorporate their knowledge through a variety
of creative mediums, including verbal expression (papers, verbal explanations, discussion
posts), visual art, and collaborative mapping projects and collaborative performances. There
will be four performances, including two student-written skits, and two dramatic class
recitations. Core Texts: The Bible, the version the student reads at home and in church,
National Geographic Concise History of the World: An Illustrated Timeline (ISBN 978-1-
4262-1178-2) [This text is good for 4 years of Rhetoric/HS History & Literature and 3 years
of Dialectic/MS World History & Literature], The History of the Ancient World, by Susan Wise
Bauer (ISBN 978-0-393-05974-8) Recommended, but not required: A chronological
version of your family’s preferred Bible. Instructor: Laura Keifer