Old Western Culture: A Christian Approach to the Great Books

This is a highly knowledge-rich curriculum that systematically builds domain knowledge across literature, history, philosophy, and theology. The four courses progress chronologically through Western civilization, connecting literary works to their historical and cultural contexts.

The courses 'delve into history, religion, the arts, and philosophy as well as literature' and help students 'become familiar with some of the most influential books that have shaped western civilization'

The curriculum uses highly complex, grade-appropriate texts including classic works of literature, philosophy, and theology. The reading demands are described as honors-level and very challenging.

The reviewer states 'Both versions of the courses should be considered to be at the honors level' and 'the amount of reading is still very demanding'

The curriculum facilitates direct instruction through expert video lectures that provide background knowledge and literary analysis. Wesley Callihan delivers explicit instruction on each work's context and meaning.

Callihan 'provides background and commentary to help students understand each work at a much deeper level' and 'speaks comfortably without notes' demonstrating expertise in direct instruction

The curriculum includes structured writing instruction through term papers and discussion topics that can serve as essay assignments. Students write 750-1200 word term papers for each unit, providing substantial writing practice.

Students 'write a 750- to 1200-word term paper' for each unit and 'some of the discussion topics would be great for those papers'

The curriculum centers on reading complete classic works of literature rather than excerpts or passages. Students read full texts from specially curated readers containing pre-selected versions and translations of the great books.

The reviewer notes that students 'read many classic works of literature' and that 'readers contain all of the literary works used in the courses,' indicating complete texts rather than excerpts

The curriculum provides extensive support through expert video lectures that serve as professional development, though formal teacher training materials are not mentioned. Parents can learn alongside students through the lectures.

The reviewer notes 'parents might want to watch the lectures along with their students for their own enlightenment' and praises Callihan as 'a gifted teacher'

The curriculum includes some retrieval practice through reading questions and final exams, but does not appear to emphasize systematic spaced review or frequent low-stakes testing.

Students answer 'Reading Questions' before lectures and 'Free final exams are available' with alternate versions for retesting

As a high school curriculum, systematic phonics instruction is not applicable to this grade level. The curriculum assumes students have already mastered basic decoding skills.

This is designed for grades 9-12 where phonics instruction is not developmentally appropriate

While vocabulary development likely occurs through exposure to classic texts, the curriculum does not appear to include explicit vocabulary instruction or systematic word study.

The review mentions reading questions and literary analysis but does not specifically reference vocabulary instruction or word knowledge building