Explore the essentials of great books education, including what makes a book great and effective reading strategies. Perfect for lifelong learners.
This course is a chill journey into the world of great books. You'll discover what makes them special, how to read them right, and dive into those big ideas that keep coming back. It's all about enjoying the read without the stress of writing assignments.
Learn about great books/core curriculum education, what makes a great book great, how to read a great book, and more.
 Introduction to Great Books consists of eight video Lessons, lasting around four hours, and numerous reading assignments. This course closely parallels the Introduction to Great Books course required by the MPC Great Books Program, but without writing assignments. As such, the course is for anyone wishing to learn more about great books/core curriculum education, the difference between reading and viewing, what makes a great book great, how to read a great book, and more.
By the end of the course, students will be able to explain concepts such as "great books," "great ideas and perennial questions," and "the great conversation."
David Clemens, Emeritus Professor of English, Monterey Peninsula College (MPC); BA and MA in English from Sonoma State University; MPC, 1972; former chair, CTA/NEA/CCA Tenure and Academic Freedom committee; Region 3 Co-Director of the English Council of the California Two Year Colleges (2010-current); Modern Language Association Delegate Assembly, Special-Interest Delegate for Two Year Colleges (2013-2016); Chair of MPC Academic Freedom...
I'll stick with it but I have just finished Lesson 4 and there has been no discussion about what is "in" a great book. So far, it has been a diatribe against the fact that younger Americans don't read anymore. I assume that this would be all about the books themselves. I fear that by the end I won't even which books are considered to be the Great Books! UPDATE: Almost! The series only begins with Lesson 7 and started to get interesting. If only it had started there and then went on to discuss great books as in the manner of Melville's Billy Budd. a dozen or so of those would have been "great". However, because the first 6 lessons are not (in how I would consider) and introduction. They are more like a defence of the Great Books. The series title is a misnomer. It should be "An Apologia of the Great Books with discussion of Adler, van Doren & Melville".
The lecturer makes a passionate defense of the classical liberal arts that makes you want to do college all over again, this time focusing on learning for its own sake, to get an education and not just a diploma.
I profited from this course. This is what Allen Bloom was trying to do years ago in "The Closing of the American Mind." Professor Bloom was not completely successful, but Professor Clemens achieved what Bloom attempted. I am grateful.
This is great
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Clyde F.
I really enjoyed the course. Well worth my time.