The Space Trilogy for Homeschool High School

Update: This live course has concluded and is available now as a recorded course through our Unlimited Access! Service. This is a great way to learn at your own pace when your schedule allows. To subscribe or learn more: Catholic Homeschooling

On Archbishop Chaput's list of books that should be read by every Catholic, C. S. Lewis's Space Trilogy is an excellent read for older teens.

When Homeschool Connections first offered this course in 2009, the students loved it. Dr. Gotcher uses the Socratic Method so there was a lot of lively discussion in these classes. This is why we've put a limit on the number of students in this course. We like to keep it small to keep the discussion intimate.

There are an abundance of issues and ideas to ponder in the Space Trilogy. I'm glad to have a terrific professor like Dr. Gotcher to guide us through it all. I hope you'll join us ...


Literature: The Space Trilogy of C. S. Lewis with Robert Gotcher, Ph.D.
(click on title to register)

Class dates: Fridays, March 18 to May 13, 2011 (no class April 22 for Good Friday)
Total classes: 9
Starting time: 10:00 am, Eastern Daylight Time (9:00 am, Central)
Duration: 1 hour
Professor: Robert Gotcher, Ph.D.
Fee: Regularly $120 for all 8 classes. Early Registration Discount $15 before November 1, 2010.
Prerequisite: The ability to read, understand and enjoy The Space Trilogy by C. S. Lewis
Suggested grade level: 11th and 12th
High school credit: 2/3 semester

Course description: This is a seminar in which we will discuss the Space Trilogy of C.S. Lewis—Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength.

Course outline:
Class 1: Overview
Class 2: Out of the Silent Planet
Class 3: Out of the Silent Planet
Class 4: Perelandra
Class 5: Perelandra
Class 6: That Hideous Strength
Class 7: That Hideous Strength
Class 8: Discussion of the entire trilogy.

Homework: One literature worksheet for each of the three novels, to be completed before the class period in which they are discussed.

Course materials: The Space Trilogy by C. S. Lewis (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength)

Professor's biography:
Dr. Robert F. Gotcher most recently served as Associate Professor of Systematic Studies at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Kathy, are raising their seven children in Franklin, Wisconsin. Dr. Gotcher has been actively involved in the homeschooling of his children, especially in the junior high and high school years. He has taught Latin, literature, physics, astronomy, and religion to homeschooled students. He has a special devotion to the classical trivium of grammar, logic and rhetoric, especially as they pertain to the written arts.

Dr. Gotcher graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1981 with a B.A. in the Program of Liberal Studies. He received his M.A. in Theology of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul in 1991 and his Ph.D. from Marquette University in 2002.

Equipment requirements:
Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.

Misc:
Dr. Gotcher will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments.
Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.
Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.

This course is limited to 15 students.