What is The Great Books Conversation?
We draw the Great Books Conversation curriculum directly from Mortimer Adler's The Great Ideas Program with only minor modification. We follow the reading schedule as well as the questions found therein. Our additions are the inclusion of an Aesop's Fable or poem to start off the class and facilitate discussion. We approach all the material read and discussed from a distinctly Christian perspective with Christian values and worldview in mind.
Old & NewThe Great Books Conversation [GBC] is an old idea made new. Mortimer Adler observed that the standard western education revolves around a kind of transmission of the teacher's notes to the student without the employment of the mind through the means of lecture. GBC takes a different approach and in the face of current western education practices, some may call it revolutionary. We contend that education happens in an environment of exploration of both the fact at hand as well as what others think about that fact. That is, education is not merely some "expert" telling the student what courage is. Rather, education is the student wrestling with concepts of courage while simultaneously listening to other minds and what they think about courage. Education comes in wrestling with an idea in a community of thinkers, not simply by coming to some answer in isolation. What is more, eduction is not merely an exercise in what to think, but it is also an exercise in how to think. Here at WisdomgapU, we believe that robust and liberal discussion is essential and necessary to a truly liberal education - education of the free person.
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Specialists & GeneralistsThe purpose of GBC is not primarily vocational. The purpose of GBC is to make good men and women. We believe that if we as educators can help to produce good men and women then we will help them be good fathers, mothers, employees, and citizens. To be a good father or a good citizen depends on one's knowledge and their capacity to relate that knowledge to fellow human beings. If all one does is focus their whole life on philosophy or biology or health they begin to isolate themselves from those who are not familiar with their discipline. This is the fate of the specialist. A generalist on the other hand speaks well into many arenas. While she may not be an expert she will have substantive, meaningful, and penetrating insights across a broad spectrum of topics. That is, she need not attend Harvard Law to speak on the value and meaning of justice. She need not attend Duke Divinity School to speak on topics of religion and the soul. If all we do is teach our students how to be good engineers, athletes, or financiers then it is possible that they may know how to properly calculate a marginal physical product but they may not be moral, loving, sacrificial, and free.
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Slave & FreeWisdomgapU and GBC are intentionally Christian in their practice and aim. God, in the person of Jesus Christ, has called the human soul out of sin and unto Himself. As such each individual human is ultimately called to freedom in Christ. Every man and woman, boy and girl are called to be free. Freedom entails freedom from the oppression of tyrants including those who demand the Christian yield his convictions or retreat from the hard questions offered throughout the history of the Great Conversation. Here at WisdomgapU, we have chosen a different road to travel. We believe that all truth, which is consistent with God as Truth, is God's truth wherever it is found. Therefore we are unafraid, unashamed, to engage in the Great Conversation of the West as Christians. Indeed, many of those we will read did claim the name of Christ. That said, is everything we read in these courses Christian? Certainly not. Indeed, much of it is not distinctly Christian, but this is where the struggle lies. What is love? What does it mean to be human? What is justice? Why does anything exist? Did God make everything? How can an almighty good God allow bad things to happen? You have faced some of these questions. Your students will face them, and GBC aims to help you and your student address such questions through introducing these questions followed by a moderated peer-to-peer discussion from a distinctively Christian perspective.
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What are the benefits of participating in The Great Books Conversation?
Weekly Community Interaction with Peers Each week your student will engage in two hours of moderated live interactive discussion with peers on substantial topics. Over each week your student will come to know those in his/her class, forming a community bond as the class wrestles with readings and subsequent discussions.
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High School CreditEach of GBC's classes is an equivalent of 6 credit hours of high-school credit per 16 week semester. A list of classes in a given semester is listed below. Let WisdomgapU help you carry some of the home education load.
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College CreditCOMING SOON!
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How do I participate in The Great Books Conversation?
#1 Reading |
#2 Writing |
#3 Conversation |
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First, read the required reading assigned in the syllabus for the date designated.
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Second, answer the questions provided in the syllabus for the date designated. Be sure to hand your assignment in by the time of class for which the questions are due.
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Third, attend class online via our learning platform. Engage in guided peer-to-peer discussion regarding reading and questions for that week.
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Meet your Teachers
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Peter is the director of WisdomgapU. He and his wife, Sarah Van Kleeck, have been married for almost 19 years. They currently reside in Jacksonville, FL where they home educate their nine children, 5 boys and 4 girls. Peter is a professor of Bible at Trinity Baptist College where he teaches Apologetics, Social Ethics, and Introduction to Christian Worldview as well as other classes. As a graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary as well as Calvin Theological Seminary the emphasis of his study is in theology, apologetics, and philosophy. He is currently in the dissertation phase of his Ph.D. at Liberty University. His favorite pastimes are hitting the gym, riding motorcycles (when he has one), and eating delicious food with the people he loves.
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Steve is a naval intelligence officer and owner of Rejected Freedom Outfitters. He and his wife, Traci, have been married nearly 27 years and live in Tampa, FL. Steve earned his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University in Aviation/Atmospheric Science and completed his master’s degree in Christian Apologetics from Liberty University. He enjoys the outdoors, archery and shooting sports, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
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What classes are offered?
GBC is a four year program. We recommend the student take a single pairing each year (e.g. The Development of Political Theory and Government (Fall) and Philosophy of Law and Jurisprudence (Spring)). A student may only enroll in the Imaginative Literature/Philosophy pairing after they have completed at least two other pairings. While the courses offered have a specific topic to address and discuss which is credit worthy in itself (e.g. government, law, theology, philosophy and ethics), it is important to note that said materials may also count for history, literature, writing, and science credits depending on the given pairing and your home education needs. Classes are held on Monday and Tuesday from 3-5 pm EST.
The Development of Political Theory and Government |
Teacher: Mr. Steve Berens
Credits: 6 Paired with: Philosophy of Law and Jurisprudence Fall Semester |
Religion and Theology |
Teacher: Dr. Peter Van Kleeck Jr.
Credit: 6 Paired with: Foundations of Science and Mathematics Fall Semester |
Foundations of Science and Mathematics |
Teacher: Dr. Peter Van Kleeck Jr.
Credit: 6 Paired with: Religion and Theology Spring Semester |
Philosophy of Law and Jurisprudence |
Teacher: Mr. Steve Berens
Credits: 6 Paired with: The Development of Political Theory and Government Spring Semester |
Imaginative Literature |
Teacher: Dr. Peter Van Kleeck Jr.
Credits: 6 Paired with: Philosophy Fall Semester (2021) |
Ethics and The Study of Moral Values |
Teacher: Mr. Steve Berens
Credits: 6 Paired with: Biology, Psychology, and Medicine Fall Semester (2021) |
Biology, Psychology, and Medicine |
Teacher: Mr. Steve Berens
Credits: 6 Paired with: Ethics and the Study of Moral Values Spring Semester (2022) |
Philosophy |
Teacher: Dr. Peter Van Kleeck Jr.
Credits: 6 Paired with: Imaginative Literature Spring Semester (2022) |
Where can I sign up?
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WisdomgapU works in partnership with Practice Monkeys to present the Great Books Conversation. Practice Monkeys is a learning platform started by Sarah Van Kleeck (Peter's wife) for the expressed purpose of meeting the education needs of families in a digital age. If you have further questions you can reach WisdomgapU though the form at the end of this page or you can email us at practicemonkeys@gmail.com. If you would like to sign up go to www.practicemonkeys.com/GBC Blessings and see you in class.
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