Geography of the Bible (Course Credit)
Grades 9 to 12 $400 Week 1 1PM – 4PM
In this course, students will go in-depth on the geographic locations mentioned in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. This course will look into the known historical events in and around those locations at the time and how they correlate with the events detailed in the Bible. This will include political, social, and military conflicts in these areas around the given times of the Biblical events. Students will be given historical points of reference to such events as the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt, Kings David and Solomon, and the various locations mentioned during the life of Christ. This course will serve as a religion or social studies credit for Heathwood students. Required Text: Holman Bible Atlas, Thomas V. Brisco. ISBN: 978-0805497601. Instructor: Brice Spires.
Philosophy – Online Credit Course
Grades 11-12 $400 June 8 to July 31 Online
This course begins with a look at Socrates and asks similar questions of 6 famous philosophers who thought that philosophy was for everyone, and not just university professors and students. We will ask Socrates, Epicurus, Seneca, Montaigne, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche a series of questions, beginning with "is there really such a thing as happiness, and if so how do we acquire it?" We will also take a look at what it might mean to be "good" and delve into how one might weather the headwinds of life. The course's work will consist of readings from three books, a number of videos, and occasional group discussions via the world wide web. There will be 8 assigned essays that will be used as assessments. Thoughtful and thorough are your bywords to success.
- Simon Blackburn, "Being Good" Oxford Press, 0-19-285377-5
- Alain de Botton, The Consolations of Philosophy, 9780679779179
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 9781503280465
- Any edition, e-book, etc will suffice.
Course instructor Bill Russell worked in four independent schools for 25 years and also taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point. This is his 11th year offering online classes.
World Mythology – Online 1/2 Credit Course
Grades 10 to 12 $400
June 8 to July 31 Online
Our mythology class examines the classic themes common to most systems - e.g., the hero's quest, the creation and destruction of the world - while we read stories from cultures throughout the world, seeking to understand both commonalities and differences amongst and between disparate cultures. Our goal is to come to a better understanding of the reasons that cultures that seem, on the surface, to be quite different tend to ask – and try to answer – the same questions about life.
The primary text is by Donna Rosenberg. The title is "World Mythology: An Anthology of the Great Myths and Epics (Second Edition/Edition 2" There are free sources on-line, but the text sells new for $16.22 or used for $13.32 from Barnes and Noble. We will also be reading "Grendel" by John Gardner. Prices vary widely, but the book is available used for less than $3.
All other reading sources will be available on-line. Instructor is Bill Russell who worked in four independent schools for 25 years and who also taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point. This is his 11th year offering on-line classes.