
The Catholic Tradition of Classical Education
with Dr. Andrew SeeleyWelcome!
This course will be of particular interest to Catholics seeking the renewal of Catholic liberal arts education, or wanting to learn more about the Catholic tradition of classical education. The course will also be of interest to anyone wishing to know more about how seminal thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas have influenced the course of education from the ancient period through the Middle Ages and to our current moment.
Teachers taking this course will also enjoy hearing Dr. Seeley’s insights and passion for education in the recorded conversations with Dr. Christopher Perrin.
Instructional Hours: 11.62, CEU Credits: 2
- Lesson 1: Course Introduction
- Lesson 2: The Wisdom, Experience, and Teaching of the Church
- Lesson 3: St. Augustine
- Lesson 4: Hugh of St. Victor
- Lesson 5: St. Thomas Aquinas
- Lesson 6: The Ratio Studiorum of the Jesuits
- Lesson 7: The Jesuit Education of Rene Descartes
- Lesson 8: St. Basil Moreau and St. John Bosco
- Lesson 9: The Magisterial Documents of the Church on Education
- Lesson 10: The Magisterial Documents of the Church Continued
- Lesson 11: The Magisterial Documents of the Church Continued
- Lesson 12: Classical Catholic Elementary Schools
- Lesson 13: Classical Catholic High Schools
- Afterword: The Catholic Tradition of Education
- Discussion 1: Andrew Seeley’s Journey into Classical Education
- Discussion 2: Where Are the Catholics?
- Discussion 3: Augustine in the Classical Tradition
- Discussion 4: Aquinas in the Classical Tradition
- Discussion 5: Pedagogical Insights from Thomas Aquinas
- Discussion 6: The Fulfillment of the Church’s Teaching on Education
- End of Course Test: Catholic Tradition of Education

- Christopher Dawson, The Crisis of Western Education
- Philip Gleason, Contending with Modernity
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 3 certification.
Lessons

Lesson 1: Course Introduction
Preview
Lesson 2: The Wisdom, Experience, and Teaching of the Church
Preview
Lesson 3: Saint Augustine
Lesson 3: Saint Augustine Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 4: Hugh of Saint Victor
Lesson 4: Hugh of Saint Victor Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 5: Saint Thomas Aquinas
Lesson 5: Saint Thomas Aquinas Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 6: The Ratio Studiorum of the Jesuits
Lesson 6: The Ratio Studiorum of the Jesuits Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 7: The Jesuit Education of Rene Descartes
Lesson 7: The Jesuit Education of Rene Descartes Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 8: Saint Basil Moreau and Saint John Bosco
Lesson 8: Saint Basil Moreau and Saint John Bosco Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 9: The Magisterial Documents of the Church on Education
Lesson 9: The Magisterial Documents of the Church on Education Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 10: The Magisterial Documents of the Church Continued
Lesson 10: The Magisterial Documents of the Church Continued Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 11: The Magisterial Documents of the Church Continued
Lesson 11: The Magisterial Documents of the Church Continued Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 12: Classical Catholic Elementary Schools
Lesson 12: Classical Catholic Elementary Schools Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Lesson 13: Classical Catholic High Schools
Lesson 13: Classical Catholic High Schools Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Afterword: Catholic Tradition of Classical Education
Afterword: Catholic Tradition of Classical Education Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Discussion 1: Andrew Seeley’s Journey into Classical Education
Discussion 1: Andrew Seeley’s Journey into Classical Education Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Discussion 2: Where Are the Catholics?
Discussion 2: Where Are the Catholics? Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Discussion 3: Augustine in the Classical Tradition
Discussion 3: Augustine in the Classical Tradition Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Discussion 4: Aquinas in the Classical Tradition
Discussion 4: Aquinas in the Classical Tradition Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Discussion 5: Pedagogical Insights from Thomas Aquinas
Discussion 5: Pedagogical Insights from Thomas Aquinas Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

Discussion 6: The Fulfillment of the Church’s Teaching on Education
Discussion 6: The Fulfillment of the Church’s Teaching on Education Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.

End of Course Test: Catholic Tradition of Classical Education
End of Course Test: Catholic Tradition of Classical Education Please sign up for the course before starting the lesson.