The Principles of Classical Pedagogy II: Mimetic and Socratic Teaching
with Andrew Kern of the Circe InstituteWelcome!
This course features master classical educator Andrew Kern of the CiRCE Institute, a coauthor of The Lost Tools of Writing and of Classical Education: The Movement Sweeping America and director of the Circe teacher-training Apprenticeship program. In this course he presents what he considers to be two critical modes of classical pedagogy: mimetic and Socratic teaching. By mimetic teaching, he means the ways in which educators present models for imitation and incarnate the delight of learning, thus becoming models themselves. Socratic teaching for Andrew means fostering a hunger for knowledge during an ironic stage when students become aware of their ignorance and then begin to truly seek answers. This leads to the second, or maieutic (related to “midwife”), stage in Socratic teaching, during which the student’s own earnest seeking for truth gives birth to new insights and knowledge. Combined, the mimetic and Socratic modes of teaching help students to engage, study, and seek after the true, good, and the beautiful, which leads to the cultivation of virtue and wisdom.
This course features Andrew Kern at his very best, speaking with clarity, passion, insight, and inspiration. Teachers will also enjoy joining Dr. Christopher Perrin as he engages Andrew in a discussion following each lecture. Don’t be fooled by the brevity of this course; its pith and practicality will greatly help any educator wishing to master classical pedagogy.
Learn more about the Circe Institute here.
Instructional Hours: 6.62, CEU Credits: 1
- Lesson 1: An Introduction to Mimetic and Socratic Teaching
- Lesson 2: An Interview on the Liberal Arts and Assessment
- Lesson 3: Mimetic Teaching
- Lesson 4: An Interview on Imitation and Memory, Virtue Formation, and Form
- Lesson 5: Socratic Teaching
- Lesson 6: An Interview on Socratic Teaching
- Lesson 7: Training as an Apprentice with the Circe Institute

FOR MIMETIC TEACHING
- Poetics by Aristotle
- The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer
- Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Culture by Erich Auerbach
- Sidney and Spenser: The Poet as Maker by S.K. Heninger
FOR SOCRATIC TEACHING
- The Meno by Plato
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 2 certification.
Lessons

Lesson 1: An Introduction to Mimetic and Socratic Teaching
Preview
Lesson 2: An Interview on the Liberal Arts and Assessment
Lesson 2: An Interview on the Liberal Arts and Assessment Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 3: Mimetic Teaching
Lesson 3: Mimetic Teaching Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 4: An Interview on Imitation and Memory, Virtue Formation, and Form
Lesson 4: An Interview on Imitation and Memory, Virtue Formation, and Form Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 5: Socratic Teaching
Lesson 5: Socratic Teaching Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 6: An Interview on Socratic Teaching
Lesson 6: An Interview on Socratic Teaching Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 7: Training as an Apprentice with the Circe Institute
Lesson 7: Training as an Apprentice with the Circe Institute Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Test: End of Course Certification
Test: End of Course Certification Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.