All Courses
Senior Course (14 yrs and up), $185 - Prerequisite: One Intermediate level course
Whodunit – and why? Plunge into the whirl of profound truths that weave through these beloved masterpieces of mystery literature. Discover the foggy secrets of the first detective novel ever written, match wits with Sherlock Holmes, and test your own solution to a mystery its own author died without revealing! Both thrilling and full of timeless ideas, these stories are a true treat for mystery-lovers.
Intermediate Course (13 yrs and up), $185 – No Prerequisite
An overview of some of the thrilling tales which helped to provide the foundation for one of the most popular modern genres, Classic Science Fiction explores stories of fantastic futuristic feats and astonishingly ambitious adventures. We will discuss the true nature of heroism and bravery, as well as the ethics and philosophy of science itself in our unpacking of these gripping classics.
Intermediate Course (13 yrs and up), $185 – No Prerequisite
By utilizing the Socratic Method of discussion, students will uncover timeless truths embedded in Nicholas Nickleby.Hot-tempered, daring, and wonderstruck Nicholas Nickleby breaks the law to save his friend Smike from his tyrannical, one-eyed master. Only nineteen years old, the two of them find themselves on the run, seeking their fortune wherever they can find it. Hilarity strikes as Nicholas finds himself in crazy situations only Dickens could dream up, but he must also use his wits and his fists against an array of villains who are determined to destroy him. Drama, humour, true love, tragedy, and surprises abound in a young Charles Dickens’ masterpiece.
Senior Course (14 yrs and up), $185 - Prerequisite: One Intermediate level course
In the world’s youth, Greek bards came up the world’s first fully-developed epic fantasy, full of unforgettable characters. Soar over the bold Odysseus’s ship as he navigates hydras, enchantresses, and the perils of a treacherous sea – will he ever come home to reclaim his rightful kingdom? Brimming with cunning warriors, clever maidens, heartbreak and heroism, the Greek mythos is not to be missed!
This course is designed to build students up in familiarity and comfort with the original stories of legendary Greek heros, in the context of the writing that the Greeks themselves would have enjoyed. Students will discover the complex immortal world of the gods, demi-gods, and mortal heros through narratives and Greek plays. This course builds into other WISDOM courses, such as The Gods of Mount Olympus, Foundational Great Books, Continued Great Books, and Before Tolkien, to continue the study of the strong creative roots of myth which we still enjoy in our culture today.
(Note to parents: This course's materials reflect ancient Greek understandings of the world, and this includes their understanding of human sexuality. Readings are carefully selected to be useful to a Christian education, but ultimately it is up to parents to decide what is appropriate material for their child.)
Intermediate Course (12 yrs and up), $185, 14 week course– No prerequisite
Newly revised!
Glimmerings of imagination tangle with tales of true-life heroes in the pages of historical fiction. Never was history more easy to remember and enjoy than by living through stories set in various eras. Students will immerse themselves in the events of an array of centuries and delve deeper into the meaningful lives of the characters who, while fictional, can make the context of a real time period ring true for all readers.
Intermediate Course (13 yrs and up), $185, 14 week course– No prerequisite
Is Fanny just a weak wimp? Which one is "Pride" and which one is "Prejudice"? Should Emma be sent to prison for her constant meddling? Find out for yourself! The Jane Austen course will cover three of Austen's books - Mansfield Park, Pride and Prejudice, and Emma. The character development and differences between Fanny, Lizzie and Emma will be discussed, as well as those topics and questions which will arise from the participants own critical reading of the text.
Intermediate Course (13 yrs and up), $185 – No Prerequisite
Only Jane Austen could concoct such a perfect blend of drama and wit! Here are three more of her masterpieces to savour. Discover the secrets of Northanger Abbey, walk the fine line between Sense and Sensibility, and learn what can be achieved with just a bit of Persuasion. Add Socratic discussion to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a fine time of it!
Intermediate Course (12 yrs and up), $185 – No Prerequisite
Journey into Middle Earth through the readings of J.R.R. Tolkien. Read and discuss The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King). This class will go beyond the magic and adventure to explore themes of friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, sin, and redemption. Readings are long, so we do suggest that students are proficient readers.
Intermediate Course (13 yrs and up), $185 – No Prerequisite
Modern Classics serves as as a great introduction for the Socratic Method style of learning. Students read classic literature of the 19th and 20th centuries with the goal of understanding predominant themes and analyzing the moral qualities of major characters. Over the course of the semester, students will develop their abilities to logically argue a position, cite examples from the text, and listen and respond to their fellow classmates.
Senior Course (14 yrs and up), $185 – Prerequisite: One Intermediate Level course
Explore some of the most dramatic, mysterious, and thrilling tales ever told. Witness anew the gripping battle between good and evil. How are we to succeed in confronting the forces of darkness? What happens when man tries to play God? These beautiful works of Victorian Gothic literature shed the light of truth upon the desperate struggles of their characters. Some of the scenes are undoubtedly grim, but the subject matter is not written for mere sensationalist reasons, but rather to reveal the true nature of evil and affirm the triumph of beauty, truth, and goodness. Gothic literature tears the mask off of evil and exposes its lies, like a light shone into a corner that casts out and destroys the darkness.