The Great Books Program
Classical Education with Dual-Credit Options
High School
High School Credit
- 120 Readings
- 4 Years of Live, Online Discussion Classes
- High School Credits Earned in Areas Including Literature, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Theology, Biography, Poetry
A.A. Degree
90 College Credits
- 120 Readings
- 4 Years of Live, Online Discussion Classes
- 48 College Credits + 14 Additional College Courses Through Catholic Distance University
B.A. Degree
120 College Credits
- 120 Readings
- 4 Years of Live, Online Discussion Classes
- 48 College Credits + 12 Credits from Theology Online Courses + 30 Credits from Catholic Distance University
“The person who says he knows what he thinks but cannot express it usually does not know what he thinks.”
Mortimer J. Adler
The Great Books Program
Founded in 2000 A.D., the Great Books Program consists of four years (grades 9-12) of online classes meeting two hours per week to discuss weekly readings from the Great Books of Western Civilization. Discussions are led by two highly experienced moderators with a maximum of 20 students per class.
Classes follow a Socratic, conversational format, encouraging mutual inquiry and discovery. This method fosters critical thinking, while helping students develop skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In this environment, students gain confidence in expressing their ideas and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. Visitors are welcome to experience the classes.
Students must be at least 14 years old (or in 9th grade) to enroll in the Great Books Program, but classes are open to all ages with no upper limit. The program follows a chronological study of Western civilization, starting with Homer’s Iliad and progressing through ancient Rome, the Middle Ages, and modern times. Enrollment in the Angelicum Academy is not required, and most readings are available online or at the library. Students transferring into the Academy must take the Great Books Program for at least one year.
Live & Asynchronous
In order to accommodate everyone, the Great Books Program is also offered asynchronously. This flexible format allows students to engage with the readings and course materials at their own pace, making it easier to balance academic work with other commitments. Whether due to family schedules, extracurricular activities, or travel, students can still participate fully in the program without the pressure of fixed class times.
Class Sample
This class sample is from the Greek year (year one) of our Great Books Program. The students have read two of Plato’s dialogues, Crito and Phaedo, for this class. In the Crito, Socrates is awaiting execution in his prison cell. His friend Crito has come early one morning to try to convince Socrates to escape his cell (which he could do relatively easily) to avoid undergoing an unjust execution. He offers several arguments as to why this is the proper thing to do.
The sample begins with the students responding to this question, “Which of Crito’s arguments do you find to be the most persuasive? Whichever argument you choose why do you choose it?”
The moderators for the class were Dr. James Taylor and Mr. Stephen Bertucci.
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