Course Description: Plato’s Myth of the Winged Soul
Artos Academy
Artos Academy
What kinds of material will I read and compose in this course?
Essays
Books
Narratives
Editorials
articles
Some of the most profound teachings of Plato are expressed through myths and stories. Explore his ideas about love, justice, wisdom, and the meaning of life. This course provides a backdrop for meaningful conversations with classmates and inspires topics for writing essays. The course features two essay genres, Journal Writing and Personal Narratives, both fitting venues for expressing personal interpretations and reactions to the compelling Myth of the Winged Soul.
This course is best suited for learners who enjoy stirring stories and aspire to share their ideas in writing clearly, concisely, and creatively. Each of the courses in the Platonic Myths Course Bundle focuses on a different myth and essay writing genre. Each of these unforgettable stories provide opportunities for sharing thoughts and perspectives with others in writing.
*The two books required for this course are the same books required for the other courses in the Platonic Myths Course Bundle.
Duration & Delivery
This is a SEMINAR COURSE with fixed start and end dates.
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.
Plato’s Myth of the Winged Soul is a four-week long course with new start dates every Monday. The freedom to begin class whenever you choose throughout the year ensures customization of your academic schedule to accommodate your family’s other scheduling priorities. Independent educators are often involved in community events, club meetings, team practices, dance rehearsals, church retreats, etc. Because this course can be completed from the first assignment to the last in one month, it’s easy to take breaks, bookending courses around family trips, theater performances, playoffs weeks, or carefully planned time of rest and restoration.
Each lesson in Plato’s Myth of the Winged Soul features a video lecture, a private social space for discussions with the instructor and with other classmates, and learning activities and assignments. 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. Live Connections meet on Monday mornings at 11:00 Central Standard Time.
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 and top priority in today’s workplace. 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 at any point 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, which is The Intellectual Life, by Sertillange.
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.
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 improving specific skills in writing, grammar, speaking, reading fluency, and comprehension.
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.
Start Dates & Meeting Times
A new section of the course begins every Monday. The duration of the course is four weeks. Students who enroll together stay together for the duration of the course, interacting voluntarily in a social group and discussion forum exclusive to enrollees.
Choose a course date below that best fits your schedule. There is no obligation to enroll. We’ll let you know if the dates you choose are already full or open for new enrollees. Then you can decide whether to proceed with enrollment or not.
Optional Live Connection meetings for this course are available every Monday’s at 11:00 A.M. Central Time.
Required Reading
Students will 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 course, no matter the subject matter or theme. All courses require students to read edifying, substantial 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)
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. Formatting according to APA (American Psychological Association) Style is expected.
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 a personal narrative, 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 Personal Narrative essay is based on personal experiences; 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.
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