by Christopher Perrin, PhD | Jun 9, 2012 | Seminars & Lectures
In the past two years on the speaking circuit, I have given about six different talks on classical education. Of these six, one of them consistently hits a nerve–the talk entitled “The Lighter Side of Education: How to Relax, Enjoy and Laugh And Still Be A Parent Educator.” This talk always draws the biggest crowds and the strongest response, and I think it is because most of us pine for levity in our lives that are typically filled with American frenzy. I recently heard John O’Donahue (in an interview) say that stress is a distorted relationship with time, and no doubt most us struggle to get time right. In this talk I call forth Chesterton who says a man should take his mission but not himself seriously, and that angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. For what it is worth, I thought I would post this talk for my readers. Click the play button below for a listen.
[podcast]https://insideclassicaled.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Audio_The_Lighter_Side_of_Education.mp3[/podcast]
by Christopher Perrin, PhD | Mar 29, 2012 | Uncategorized, Videos
This summer we are launching a new enterprise–a website called
FilmFisher.com which will offer thoughtful film reviews by high school and college students for high school and college students. We are presently recruiting interested and talented writers who might want to play a role with FilmFisher.com If you or any others you know would like to try your hand at helping start and lead in this new endeavor, please let post and let me know of your interest. Of course I think students at classical high schools should be well-prepared for this kind of writing! As the site grows and earns revenue we hope to actually pay writers. At this stage, however it is start-up, volunteer effort…
We will also feature some experienced adult writers who will serve as mentors to younger writers and editors on the site. The reviews will be oriented to the truth, goodness and beauty found in film, or lack thereof.
All the content on the site at this point is preliminary, “place holder” content so don’t take it too seriously…
Here is a link to the site which is currently under the radar (not indexed with Google):
http://filmfisher.com/Your feedback and ideas for improvement are welcomed–
by Christopher Perrin, PhD | Dec 16, 2011 | Schools & Other Organizations, Uncategorized
I received word today that Grove City College now offers students a minor in Classical Christian Education as well as a minor in Classical Studies. This is great news.
A student taking the Classical Studies minor must take 21 credit hours of courses (from several departments) from the following offerings: Classical and Christian Education, Foundations of Cultural Anthropology, History and Appreciation of Art, Old Testament Literature and History, New Testament Literature and History, Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education, Introduction to New Testament Greek (I and II), Readings in New Testament Greek (I and II), The Ancient World, Medieval Europe, The Rise of Christianity, Byzantium and Islam, Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic World, Elementary Latin (I and II), Intermediate Latin (I and II), Reading Latin, Classical Literature in Translation, Plato and Aristotle, Augustine and Aquinas, Classical Political Thought, Theories of Communication, Rhetorical Theory and Criticism. Ready to go back to college?
A student taking the Classical Christian Education minor will do all the work of the Classical Studies minor plus do a two credit internship at a classical Christian school. Students can do the internship during the month of January (J-term) or during the month of May. Already five GCC students are fanning out to CC schools this January for their internships.
This development should warm the hearts of classical school advocates. Another important college has recognized the growing importance (and size) of the classical Christian school renewal and is now helping prepare students to teach at classical Christian schools or homeschools. Naturally CC administrators and educators should take a close look at Grove City and these two new minors.
There is another reason this news warms my heart–that takes the form of a disclaimer: My oldest daughter is a junior English major at Grove City and by all accounts is receiving a superb education, and will likely become a teacher at CC school. I have also had the chance to meet and consult with some of the faculty leading these new minors–and have every reason to believe they will serve exceedingly well. Here is a link to Grove City College where you can explore and learn more about the college: Grove City College Website
by Christopher Perrin, PhD | Nov 11, 2011 | Articles
Just last week I mentioned Joe Paterno in my blog post responding to Rush Limbaugh’s critique of “classical studies.” I mentioned Joe because he himself was classically-educated. There is a chapter in his autobiography entitled “Joe Knows Latin.” He even patterned his football team off the Spartan army: like the Spartans each players performs for the team, not himself; a touchdown is scored by the team, by the center as much as the quarterback. Note the jerseys and helmets–no names on the jerseys, no stars and stickers on the helmets. The Nittany Lions are Lions indeed, but Spartans too.
Most of us know of the Spartans famous stand at Thermopylae–how 300 Spartans led by king Leonidas held off the huge force of advancing Persians long enough to save the rest of Greek army that was able to retreat. Leonidas and the Spartans were all killed, dying glorious deaths. It appears now that Joe is making his last Spartan stand, though his enemies have not been invaders but but a traitor within the ranks–a traitor he was not willing to bring fully to justice. And so the king of the Spartans at Penn State is falling, but not so gloriously as we had hoped. On the spot where the Spartans died at Thermopylae there was erected a stone lion and an engraved stone that reads, “O stranger, go tell the Spartans that here we lie, having fulfilled their orders.” What do we now make of the stone lion on the campus of Penn State, and what epigraph will we write for Joe?
I must conclude with a personal irony. I live in central Pennsylvania; two of my brothers-in-law are Penn State graduates. I consult with a classical school in State College. But I have never been to a Penn State football game. This Wednesday, however, I was offered a ticket for the first time ever (my father-in-law was given two). Over lunch on Wednesday, we made plans to go see the Nebraska game–my father-in-law will be taking my son Noah to this historic game–his first college football game ever. The Spartans will be there, but not their king.
by Christopher Perrin, PhD | Nov 7, 2011 | Uncategorized
Many readers of this blog know Ken Myers–a remarkable reader, interviewer and thinker. His audio journal, Mars Hill Audio has been a form of sustenance to thousands of thoughtful Christians in the U.S. He is also an advocate of the renewal of classical, Christian education and speaks frequently at classical schools (just recently he was at the Geneva School of Orlando) and conferences. Last November I had the pleasure of interviewing him at his studio in Virgina.
Ken suffered a significant heart attack two days ago, but apparently has also experienced a miraculous recovery. After an induced coma and three shock treatments, he has emerged eating, joking and laughing with nurses and family. See Matthew Lee Anderson’s blog for an email excerpt from a family member describing Ken’s condition: Mere Orthodoxy: Matthew Lee Anderson
Please pray for Ken’s continued recovery.
