In the Classroom – Page 3

October 4, 2016October 4, 2016

The Failed Promise of the Enlightenment (The First of Three Meditations on A Brave New World)

The success of the political order in A Brave New World comes at the price of social and personal maturity. Yet, it is a price the controllers and engineers of that society willingly pay, making the very success of their social experiment a failure. Remarkably, the failure of this system finds its origin in values first codified during the Enlightenment. It was during … Continue reading The Failed Promise of the Enlightenment (The First of Three Meditations on A Brave New World)

September 8, 2016

Gerard Manley Hopkins Poem in Anticipation of College Talk

To R. B. THE FINE delight that fathers thought; the strong Spur, live and lancing like the blowpipe flame, Breathes once and, quenchèd faster than it came, Leaves yet the mind a mother of immortal song. Nine months she then, nay years, nine years she long 5 Within her wears, bears, cares and … Continue reading Gerard Manley Hopkins Poem in Anticipation of College Talk

August 3, 2016August 8, 2016

The Poetics of Faith and Learning, Part 1

Euclid The study of Euclid’s Elements serves as an excellent example of the contemplative learning process. Proposition 5, an early proposition in the text, marks a turning point for most students, where they must not only identify a chain of equalities (something akin to a hypothetical syllogism), but do so in transposition. Whereas students needed only identify equality by imposing … Continue reading The Poetics of Faith and Learning, Part 1

July 9, 2016April 21, 2017

Well Wrought Stories and Moral Judgment

Stories are so much more than spoonfuls of sugar which help the moral medicine go down. Because all of God’s activity has the structure of narrative, stories are the habitat in which ethical realities exist. As water is to fish, so is narrative to ethics. For this reason, stories play an integral role in our moral education, and … Continue reading Well Wrought Stories and Moral Judgment

July 2, 2016June 28, 2016

A Vision of Dominion: The Quadrivium on Numbers and Naming

Arithmetic, the first of four Quadrivium subjects, sheds light on the nature of our humanity. When contextualized by scripture, this study can even assist us in the task of realizing the true meaning dominion. Arithmetic Arithmetic is the study of number. While it concerns counting, adding, and subtracting, it is ultimately about the meaning of unity and relationship. This is one … Continue reading A Vision of Dominion: The Quadrivium on Numbers and Naming

March 9, 2016April 23, 2016

Student Blog & Video

I am very excited to announce that our students are actively blogging. You can follow them over at: https://ncfjournal.wordpress.com/ They have even uploaded this awesome video by one of our own (Jenna Strawbridge) Continue reading Student Blog & Video

March 8, 2016March 8, 2016

In Defense of the Useless, Part I

A liberal arts education, like love, is best when it is useless. ‘Useless’ is a philosophic term which refers to that which is enjoyed for its own sake, that which has purpose, value, and meaning in and of itself. Joseph Pieper discusses the useless on page 41 of his essay In Defense of Philosophy. What he refers to as “philosophy,” he elsewhere refers to … Continue reading In Defense of the Useless, Part I

May 4, 2015May 4, 2015

How Can I Tell: Beginnings of a College Journal

We have begun to organize an online journal at NCF. At first, it was thought we might try to post several articles a week, much in the style of a college newspaper. But as we took a closer look at our resources, it became clear that such a publishing schedule would be exhausting and promote … Continue reading How Can I Tell: Beginnings of a College Journal

May 1, 2015May 1, 2015

College Scholarship for Hardworking Students

I have the privilege of teaching at a college that is populated by very dedicated students. Young adults dedicated, not only to their education, but to the community and people around them. But I am doubly aware of their diligence whenever I remember that they work 20-30 hours a week at part-time jobs simply to attend New College … Continue reading College Scholarship for Hardworking Students

April 25, 2015April 25, 2015

New College Jam

We held an informal Arithmetic class at a students home last night. Not only was it a lovely place to watch a movie and talk shop, but it was also a great chance to get to know the freshman a bit better. It is easy to forget how significant a little hospitality can be. An added surprise … Continue reading New College Jam