Overall Theme: Imaginative Apologetics: Shadow vs. Reality
Yearlong Question: “What does this ‘Mirror’ show us about the Deep Magic of the Real World?”
- Quarter 1: The Root(Foundations of Fairy) [Note: Root refers to Victorian Roots]
- Theme: Fairy Tale Seeds (Simple & Symbolic)
- Quarter 2: The Chronicles & The Cosmos (Light v. Darkness)
- Theme: The Light of Love vs. the Shadow
- Quarter 3: The Quest (Sub-creation)
- Theme: Humans Reflecting the Creator
- Quarter 4: The Mirror (The Anatomy of Truth)
- Theme: Synthesis & Folk Wisdom
Spirit: Finding the “True, Good, and Beautiful” through the lens of sub-creation.
Core Reading: MacDonald, Lewis (Narnia), L’Engle (Wrinkle in Time), Tolkien (The Hobbit), Grimm.
Key Icon: The Mirror (Reflection of Truth).
Description: This course explores the foundations of Western Civilization through its earliest From the Victorian roots of George MacDonald to the cosmic battles of the 20th century, this rigorous study of imaginative apologetics has students developing the critical thinking skill of hunting for and analyzing symbolism and motifs within the fantastical stories of “other worlds.” Not only do they evaluate how authors such as the Inklings (C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien) use “other worlds” to reveal the True, the Good, and the Beautiful in our own, they find the “Anatomy of Truth” hidden within the “Once upon a time.” And in so doing, they discover that imagination is a vital tool for understanding reality.
Key Writing: Students produce a literary analysis of theme or symbolism, and they tie together the entire year with a sophisticated research paper analyzing archetypes and worldviews across the genre.
The A.S.K.:
- A – Archetypes & Symbols: Decode the “Mirror” of fantasy and the “Deep Magic” of the Quest.
- S – Search for the Transcendent: Find the True, the Good, and the Beautiful in the art of “Sub-creation.”
- K – Knightly Character: Apply the virtue of Temperance to balance imagination with the discipline of reality.
