Study of the classical world has shaped the greatest minds of our Western culture
– its statesmen, philosophers, theologians, mathematicians and scientists. The works of Homer, Herodotus, Thucydides, Plato, and Sophocles set
the standards for epic, history, philosophy, and drama. Learning Greek or Latin hones the intellect and develops a
command of English that cannot be otherwise achieved. Clearly, profound knowledge of our classical roots has been important in every age, but especially now when Western civilization is being challenged on many sides. We're being called to tough questions: What defines us? What is worth preserving? What is the right balance between justice and benevolence, freedom and equality, between war and its alternatives?
Our struggle to answer such questions reflects the extent to which classical studies have been reduced to the rare Latin class, perhaps a Greek drama or bit of Homer in English class. Scheduling limitations and the pressures of broad curriculum standards have made it difficult for schools to offer courses that consider the great achievements of our Western culture at a meaningful depth.
For those who care deeply about these critical questions, the poets, philosophers, and historians whose works shaped the Western mind continue to be essential reading – reading that can and should begin in the middle grades and continue for a lifetime. The Institute opens up these rich and challenging books with thoughtfully sequenced seminars.
• Adult Seminars provide adults readers with instructional support
at the level of college study without its cost and pressures, as well as
a discussion forum for applying the lessons of antiquity and personal
experience to modern issues.
• Ancient Greek and Latin are offered to elementary students through
adults, individually or in groups.
We hope one of our offerings will call you to come join a Seminar and enter into the 'Great Conversation' of people across three millennia about ultimate human concerns.
