Artos Academy

What kinds of material will I read and compose in this course?

Essays

Books

Narratives

Editorials

articles

Duration & Delivery

This course is designed with the independently educating family in mind. We honor your right and responsibility to exercise control over when, where, and how you interact with academic content, and we do our best to offer courses with flexible start dates and ongoing access to course content.

Plato’s Myth of the Cave: Responding to Literature through Descriptive Essays is a four-week long course with new start dates every Tuesday.

Each lesson features a video lecture, a private social space for discussions with the instructor and with other classmates, and learning activities and assignments.

Tuition includes four weeks of access to optional weekly meetings with the instructor and classmates called Live Connections, as well as indefinite access to a private social group where asynchronous interaction with the instructor and classmates is ongoing.

Although each Composition & Literature course in the catalog is designed so that it can be completed in four weeks ideally, enrollees have indefinite access to the course materials and can proceed through those materials at their own pace. Tuition includes access to four weeks of live, personalized instruction via Live Connection meetings with the instructor and classmates, but access to the course materials and to the interactive, private social group is ongoing, even after access to four-weeks of Live Connection meetings has expired.

The freedom to begin class whenever you choose throughout the year ensures customization of your academic schedule to accommodate your family’s schedule. Independent educators are often heavily involved in their communities, active in sports and the arts, and committed to their local church family. Composition & Literature courses are designed to be completed in four-week blocks, making it easy to take breaks and to bookend courses around family trips, theater performances, playoffs weeks, or carefully planned times of rest and restoration.

Live Connections

Students have the option to meet with the instructor multiple times throughout the course in Live Connection meetings. This is a time to talk with the instructor about course materials and to receive support, guidance, and individualized instruction along the way.

Instructor-led discussions are centered on engaging topics that challenge students to think deeply and talk freely. Students learn online etiquette: sensing how and when to share ideas, anticipating and dealing with interruptions, overcoming technical issues, and understanding how to express genuine interest in the thoughts of others.

In addition to solid academic instruction, one of the central goals of the class is to foster social connections and encourage friendships. At least one team project is a part of every Artos Learning course. Collaboration is a buzzword in today’s workplace, as employers consider “soft skills” related to social interaction equally important to career specific skills. Team assignments build confidence and improve comfort levels in group situations, preparing students for the future and enriching their classroom experiences in the present.

Support for Independent Learners

Live meetings with the instructor are optional. Students who prefer to work independently can watch the video lectures and complete the assignments on their own. If a student attends one Live Connection meeting, he is not obligated to attend others. He may utilize these meetings as a time to get needed information or encouragement as he completes the coursework mostly on his own.

During live meetings students can ask questions about the learning materials and assignments and discuss the required reading for this course. Live Connections are recorded, so students who choose not to attend can watch the recordings at a time that is convenient to them.

As part of the first lesson in the course, learners gain access to the Live Connection, a Goal Tracker and access to the Idea Exchange, which is an exclusive group for registrants of the course and the instructor.

Students who choose NOT to attend the Live Connections receive feedback on assignments and have access to the instructor through the Idea Exchange, through email, and through the course components themselves. Personal feedback on assignments is an integral part of this course, whether a student attends the Live Connections or not.

Parent Consultations

For a minimal fee, an optional consultation is available twice during the course for parents who want to monitor more closely a student’s progress and to receive advice and tips for helping their child improve specific skills in writing, grammar, speaking, reading fluency, and comprehension.

Start Dates & Meeting Times

A new section of the course begins every Tuesday. The duration of the Live Connection meetings is four weeks, and access to the course materials is indefinite. Students who enroll together stay together for the duration of the course, interacting voluntarily in a social group and discussion forum exclusive to enrollees and interacting in real time through the Live Connections.

Meeting with the instructor and other learners in a Live Connection for support and guidance is optional. Scheduled interaction with peers provides opportunities for real-time feedback and collaborative learning. Optional Live Connection meetings for this course are available Tuesday’s at 1:00 P.M. Central Time.

Choose a course date below that best fits your schedule. Submitting the form does not obligate you to enroll in the course. You will receive an email to let you know whether the dates you have chosen are already full or are open for new enrollees. Then you can make your final decision about enrollment.

Required Reading

Students read the book, The Myth Made Fact through Christian Eyes, by Louis Markos, PhD, as well as selected materials from the Little, Brown Handbook 14th edition, by H. Fowler, Jane Aaron, et. al.

Overview of Objectives

No matter which Artos Academy course you choose, students should expect to spend at least three hours reading and writing outside of Live Connection meetings each week.

The objectives below are examples of skills practiced in each course. Similar standards are common to all states and are representative of the goals of every Composition & Literature course. All courses require students to read edifying, substantial literary works and research materials and to respond in written essays and discussion posts.

Recognize and write in various modes, for different purposes, including to support and sustain an opinion or argument, to inform, and to express and reflect.
Understand the relationship among writing task, purpose, and audience.
Understand writing occurs through a process, and utilize a process that includes planning, revising, editing, and rewriting.
Use technology to communicate effectively and to produce and publish writing.
Understand writing can be used to answer questions and participate in short- and long term research and inquiry projects.
Use evidence to support claims and convey ideas in writing.
Integrate and synthesize others’ ideas into writing.
Write often to develop fluency, confidence, and stamina.

Cornerstone Foundational Skills: 2022. Tennessee Board of Education. 10-20-17_III_J_Non Substantive_Changes_to_Math_ELA__Science_Standards_Attachment_2_-_ELA.pdf (tn.gov)

Prerequisites

Students taking this course are expected to have earned a Completion Certificate for Plato’s Myth of the Winged Soul: Responding to Literature through Journaling and Personal Narratives.

Course Content & Skills Focus

Students taking this course are expected to be able to read high school and college level texts, mainstream media sites, and academic journal articles.

The purpose of the course is to explore themes in ancient literature and to respond in thoughtful, personal ways through oral and written conversations with peers. Writing assignments focus on journaling and personal narratives.

Lessons include background information about Plato and the genre of myths. Other key concepts include:

Religious and philosophical views of Ancient Greeks
Biographical information about Plato
Close reading of “The Myth of the Winged Soul”
Romanticism and the human soul
Christian interpretation of Platonic ideals
Comparison of Paul’s letter to the Romans and Plato’s plight

This is considered a writing intensive course. The instructor discusses patterns and methods of narration in detail, focusing on the way the plot, narrator, point of view, and setting communicate the theme of the myth. Students then evaluate the theme according to their personal beliefs and perspectives and create a narrative of their own.

As students compose descriptive writing exercises and an essay, they will receive instruction about:

determining an event about which to write
identifying the purpose and audience of the narrative
generating ideas
using templates
stating their points
developing a plot chronologically
using transitions and verb tenses
maintaining a consistent point of view
adding dialogue
editing for common errors

Grade Level Expectations

The content in the courses is appropriate for both middle school and high school students. Students who are new to APA Style may consider the APA Intensive Workshop as a supplemental activity. This course does not require research or sourced essays, as the content in the Descriptive Essay is based on personal observations; however, formatting of the title, page numbers, font size and type, etc. are in accordance with APA Style.

Completion Certificate

Each lesson begins with a step-by-step content guide and a point value indicator. Students who successfully complete 80% of writing assignments and quizzes earn a Certificate of Completion to add to their transcripts, academic profiles, or curriculum vitae.

Technical Requirements

Students need a reliable Internet connection. Live class meetings are conducted in-person. The physical address of the meeting location will be sent through email. Students have the option of attending the meeting through Google Meet to allow added flexibility. Students who choose to attend class via Google Meet are expected to have a functional camera and microphone and to keep cameras and mics on for the duration of the class meeting unless otherwise instructed. Course materials are shared through the Artos Learning virtual classroom and typically include videos, pdf files, and website links.

Tuition

Students may withdraw from a course up to ten days before the start date with a 50% refund. No refunds are offered within ten days of a course start date.

Click below to purchase the course.

The Corporeal & the Eternal: Responding to Literature through Expository Writing
$215.00 Add to cart

Course Series

$215.00

8 Lessons

Plato’s Myth of the Winged Soul: Responding to Literature through Journaling and Personal Narratives

Plato’s Myth of the Winged Soul Responding to Literature through Journal Writing and Personal Narrative Course Description Idea Exchange Live…

$215.00

9 Lessons

Plato’s Myth of the Cave: Responding to Literature through Descriptive Essays

Adventure through a story of an altered reality transformed into abundant life in the clear light of the sun with Plato's seeking, cave-dwelling main character. Reflect on your own perceptions of reality by examining past memories and envisioning future aspirations using the tools of descriptive writing. Compare Plato's ideas with those of Jack London in his famous short story, "To Build a Fire," among other works.

$215.00