A one-year program, the CiRCE Atrium program explores the foundations of Christian classical education with online classes and discussions. Participants choose to focus on classical pedagogy with Peter Vande Brake, classical rhetoric with Andrew Kern, or the Greek age with Brian Phillips.
Through exclusive live webinars (two to three each month) and an online discussion forum, the Atrium offers a forum for contemplation and collaboration: a place to linger (and take pleasure) in the depths of the Christian classical tradition alongside like minded fellow educators. We provide the digital platform; you bring the desire for wisdom and virtue. Together we make the community.
Participants can expect to grow in knowledge of classical education throughout the year, be inspired and energized by peer discussion and collaboration, and understand the fundamentals of classical education and its two primary modes of instruction (Mimetic and Socratic).
* The Atrium works in partnership with the CiRCE Apprenticeship Program and thus is especially well-suited for those who are preparing to enter the Apprenticeship. Participants who complete one year in the Atrium are eligible to receive a $250 credit toward Apprenticeship tuition.
Contemplate the essential elements and crucial truths at the heart of Christian classical education by joining one of our three groups.
WHAT DOES THE ATRIUM COST?
The Atrium requires a $75 application fee. Tution is $750 for the year. To see the books listed below and purchase, https://bookshop.org/shop/CiRCE.
Each of Peter's participants will need to purchase a copy of the course text, Norms and Nobility by David Hicks.
Each of Andrew's participants will need The Lost Tools of Writing Levels I, II, and III as well as Homer's Iliad.
Each of Brian's participants will need The Landmark Herodotus, The Landmark Thucydides, The Oresteia by Aeschylus (Penguin Classics edition preferred), The Republic by Plato (Alan Bloom translation), and The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer (Lattimore translations preferred).
DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?
Participants may pay via a single payment of $750 (our annual payment plan) or in ten monthly installments of $75 from the tenth of July through the tenth of April. Please note: All accounts must remain in good standing to be eligible for the Apprenticeship tuition credit. If joining the class in September, then the tuition can be divided across remaining months.
WHAT IS THE CURRICULUM FOR EACH GROUP?
Andrew Kern's class will walk through all three levels of The Lost Tools of Writing in companion with Homer's Iliad. This class meets three times per month from September to May. Andrew's teaching will be on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 7-8:30pm EST, except for March and April when the class will meet from 7:30-9pm for Lent. A third webinar will be offered each month; this colloquy will be led by an Apprenticeship graduate and posted on the Canvas classroom schedule.
Peter Vande Brake's class slowly reads David Hicks’ educational treatise Norms and Nobility and has the opportunity to attend live or watch the recording of two webinars a month: one with the lead teacher Peter to discuss the chapter itself, and one with either guest speaker or a colloquy with Peter Vande Brake leading a discussion tailored to the chapter and your questions. This class meets twice a month from August to May. The evenings of the week and the week of the month will vary, and Peter will post them in the online Canvas classroom as soon as they are scheduled.
Brian Phillips' class will read and discuss great books together each first and third Tuesday evenings of the month from 7:00 - 8:30pm EST.
HOW IS THE ATRIUM DIFFERENT FROM THE APPRENTICESHIP?
In the Atrium all activities are online, travel is not necessary, the level of participation is determined by the participant, and there is no certification associated with the Atrium. In the Apprenticeship, in addition to online interaction, apprentices travel to retreats twice each year; Apprentices are required to complete various reading, writing, and teaching assignments and are formally evaluated each semester; and Apprentices who complete the 3-year course of study and associated requirements become CiRCE Certified Classical Teachers.
WHEN CAN I START IN THE ATRIUM?
A new Atrium community begins in August with Norms and in September with Classical Rhetoric and the Greek Age. After September 30th, new applicants may apply to be part of the group for the following year.
WHAT IF I CAN'T MAKE A LIVE WEBINAR AT THE SCHEDULED TIME?
All webinars will be recorded. Atrium participants will have access to recorded webinars to view at their leisure.
WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?
The application fee is non-refundable.
Participants who decide to withdraw from the Atrium will be refunded 100% of the tuition if they withdraw prior to August 1st. After August 1st no refunds are available.