Learn Literature Through the Socratic Discussion
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Our online literature classes draw upon the same Socratic Method as our history classes. In both, students read great texts and participate in open-ended discussions to develop a deeper understanding of big questions. Our approach is “Socratic” because it is driven by questions. Our Socratic teacher does not deliver lectures — he leads conversations.
Our literature students read one book a month, and classes meet on a monthly basis. Each meeting has two components. The first is a lesson in which our teachers lead students through a systematic review of the book they have read. Together, students and teachers apply the core concepts of literary analysis to reach a better understanding of the text. In this part of our course, students discover how elements like setting, characters, symbols, and imagery shape the novel.
After the lesson, students meet for a Socratic discussion session. This is where students apply the elements of literary analysis to the book they have read. In our discussion session, teachers do not lecture. Instead, they present students with open-ended questions and facilitate the discussion, providing feedback as appropriate. Our discussion sessions are capped at 20 students. Should more than 20 students sign up for the course, additional discussion sessions will be set up to ensure that all students will be able to speak each time we meet.
Our literature students read one book a month, and classes meet on a monthly basis. Each meeting has two components. The first is a lesson in which our teachers lead students through a systematic review of the book they have read. Together, students and teachers apply the core concepts of literary analysis to reach a better understanding of the text. In this part of our course, students discover how elements like setting, characters, symbols, and imagery shape the novel.
After the lesson, students meet for a Socratic discussion session. This is where students apply the elements of literary analysis to the book they have read. In our discussion session, teachers do not lecture. Instead, they present students with open-ended questions and facilitate the discussion, providing feedback as appropriate. Our discussion sessions are capped at 20 students. Should more than 20 students sign up for the course, additional discussion sessions will be set up to ensure that all students will be able to speak each time we meet.
Course Schedules
The junior high course will meet on the second Thursday of each month.
The high school course will meet the fourth Thursday of the month.
Click HERE for exact dates.
The schedule is as follows
1. Literature Lesson — 9:00 to 9:50 Pacific
2. Socratic Discussion Session — 10:00 to 10:50 Pacific
The high school course will meet the fourth Thursday of the month.
Click HERE for exact dates.
The schedule is as follows
1. Literature Lesson — 9:00 to 9:50 Pacific
2. Socratic Discussion Session — 10:00 to 10:50 Pacific
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Online Writing Classes |
An optional online writing course runs in parallel to the discussions. Students who sign up for the writing course complete biweekly assignments and monthly essays. They also gain access to recordings that impart the essentials of essay structure, content, and style.
Reading Lists for 2024–25
Junior High
The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway, ISBN 0099273969
Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder,
ISBN 320245821
The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli,
ISBN 0440402832
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis,
ISBN 0064405052
A Wind in the Door by Madeline L'Engle,
ISBN 0274877430
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
ISBN 0008182221
Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, ISBN 0199536562
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott,
ISBN 1950435091
High School
Persuasion by Jane Austen,
ISBN 1840227990
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury,
ISBN 320251660
The Aeneid, translated by Allen Mandelbaum,
ISBN 0553210416
King Lear by Shakespeare,
ISBN 9781853260957
Slaughterhouse V by Kurt Vonnegut,
ISBN 0099800209
The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison,
ISBN 0241970563
The Leopard, Giuseppe Di Lampedusa,
ISBN 9780099512158
Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev, edited by Matlaw,
ISBN 0393957950
Persuasion by Jane Austen,
ISBN 1840227990
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury,
ISBN 320251660
The Aeneid, translated by Allen Mandelbaum,
ISBN 0553210416
King Lear by Shakespeare,
ISBN 9781853260957
Slaughterhouse V by Kurt Vonnegut,
ISBN 0099800209
The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison,
ISBN 0241970563
The Leopard, Giuseppe Di Lampedusa,
ISBN 9780099512158
Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev, edited by Matlaw,
ISBN 0393957950
Our Socratic Literature Teacher
Adam De Gree is a Philosophy graduate from the University of California, Santa Barbara and holds a Master of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Prague’s CEVRO Institute. His research covers the intersection of aesthetics and economic theory. He and his wife Tessa recently welcomed their first daughter, Amália, to their home in the historic city of Prague, Czech Republic. Adam is available to parents and students at [email protected]
Recorded Class Option
Enroll your child in this option and they will receive the recorded class each week to view and learn from at their leisure. Students enrolled in the online course automatically receive access to the recorded classes.
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Pricing |
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Enroll Through March Enroll Through April Enroll After May Vertical Divider
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Recorded Class
$150 |
Contacts
Teacher:
[email protected]
Administrative Questions:
[email protected]
Technical Questions:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Administrative Questions:
[email protected]
Technical Questions:
[email protected]
Charter School Students
Junior High Courses:
High School Courses:
Because there is a limited number of students in each class, all registration is final and no refunds are given.
However, credit for future courses or materials can be given if an unforeseen event arises.
However, credit for future courses or materials can be given if an unforeseen event arises.
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