The renewal of classical education has grown significantly over the last two decades. However, even seasoned classical educators agree that it can still be difficult to answer the fundamental question: “What is classical education?” In this foundational course, Dr. Christopher Perrin provides a clear definition of classical education and then explores key questions, including:
- What is classical education—how do we define it?
- How should we talk about classical education? What words are fitting?
- To what may we compare it? What images and analogies help us best understand classical education?
- How do we classify it? What are the main elements of classical education?
- What are the liberal arts and why are they called “liberal” and “arts”?
- What is the history of classical education, and how does it compare with modern, progressive education?
- Who are some of the great minds and writers that have influenced the development of classical education?
- Why is a robust community so important for the development of a classical school or homeschool?
- What are some of the various “flavors” of classical education that have existed in the past and that exist today?
- How do we practice and implement classical education in our homes and schools today? What are the main pedagogical principles that inform how classical educators teach?
- How do we deepen our understanding of classical education? What are some of the important books I should read to learn more about classical education?
This course is an extension of Dr. Perrin’s pithy book An Introduction to Classical Education: A Guide for Parents—more than 100,000 copies have been sold or downloaded! Purchase a hard copy here or download the PDF for free.
Instructional Hours: 10.55, CEU Credits: 1
- Course Introduction
- Lesson 1: A Clear Definition of Classical Education
- Lesson 2: Clear Words for Classical Education
- Lesson 3: To What Shall I Compare Classical Education?
- Lesson 4: Various Models of Classical Education
- Lesson 5: The Major Elements of Classical Education
- Lesson 6: Tracing the History of Classical Education
- Lesson 7: Why Classical Education?
- Lesson 8: Communal Education (Paideia)
- Lesson 9: Implementing Classical Education
- Lesson 10: The Developing Models of Classical Education
- Lesson 11: Deepening our Understanding of Classical Education
- Lesson 12: How to Read Well (Dr. Perrin’s Top 55 Books on Classical Education)

To obtain a certification credit for this course, simply complete each presentation lesson or discussion in the course (by marking it complete or by taking the quiz) and then also take the certification test at the end of the course. The quizzes are designed to ensure that you have understood the essential content of each presentation, and they can be taken more than once if necessary. The cumulative certification test at the end of the course is given as a pass/fail test and requires that you upload one or more essays demonstrating your understanding of the course. (Please note that essays are simply evaluated by word count.) When you have completed the course, a certificate that you can print or email will become available within “My Courses” (accessible under “Courses” in the main menu when you are signed in as an active subscriber).
We recommend previewing the essay question within the end of course test before starting the course. This will help in guiding your note taking as you progress through the course. Please allow approximately 2 weeks for essay submissions to be reviewed.
By taking the course for certification credit, you also will be on your way to obtaining a Level 1 certification.
Lessons

Course Introduction: Introduction to Classical Education
Preview
Lesson 1: A Clear Definition of Classical Education
Preview
Lesson 2: Clear Words for Classical Education
Preview
Lesson 3: To What Shall I Compare Classical Education?
Lesson 3: To What Shall I Compare Classical Education? Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 4: Various Models of Classical Education
Lesson 4: Various Models of Classical Education Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 5: The Major Elements of Classical Education
Lesson 5: The Major Elements of Classical Education Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 6: Tracing the History of Classical Education (two parts)
Lesson 6: Tracing the History of Classical Education (two parts) Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 7: Why Classical Education?
Lesson 7: Why Classical Education? Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 8: Communal Education (Paideia)
Lesson 8: Communal Education (Paideia) Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 9: Implementing Classical Education
Lesson 9: Implementing Classical Education Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 10: The Developing Models of Classical Education
Lesson 10: The Developing Models of Classical Education Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 11: Deepening Our Understanding of Classical Education
Lesson 11: Deepening Our Understanding of Classical Education Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 12: How to Read Well (Dr. Perrin’s Top 55 Books on Classical Ed)
Preview
End-of-Course Test
End-of-Course Test Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.