Digressio: Inherit the Humanities

In episode 16 (episode 4 of Season 2), Joe Carlson and Daniel Foucachon read some epic poetry together, beginning with a BAD reading of epic poetry, followed by a tutorial covering four basic principles for reading epic poetry: First, allow the natural stresses of the words to dictate the flow of the sentence. Different words have different stress lengths, depending on the placement of the vowels and the number of consonants. For example the words “to” and “flinch” are both one syllable words, but you can tell one takes less time to say than the other. Furthermore, a short word like “to” naturally leads you into the next word (ending with a vowel as it does), whereas you want to land on “flinch” a little, taking just a moment before moving on. Read the following naturally, while paying attention to the space you give between the words: “to flinch means to make a quick movement in reaction to something.” Notice the lack of space following the three instances of “to”, and the space following the harder sounds of “flinch” “make” “quick” and “movement”. This is how the English language works, and you shouldn't fight it when reading, especially when reading poetry.Second, read according to the punctuation, not the line break. The line breaks because the number of syllables allotted that line have been used up, not because a breath is required. Pay attention to the natural breaks in the syntax: the commas, the semicolons, the periods. Also, like I mentioned above, pay attention to the flow of the words themselves, and let the natural stresses dictate your annunciation and your rests.Third, read the poem aloud and slowly. Taste the words on your tongue. Let their sounds fill your eustachian tubes, bringing the words directly to your ears, as well as traveling around your cheeks and hitting them from the outside. This process will encourage and cultivate your ability to enter into the story, imaginatively accepting the imagery of the poem as the landscape you are inhabiting.Lastly, for extra credit, you can listen for moments of alliteration (repetition of certain consonants), assonance (repetition of certain vowel sounds), parallelisms, chiasmi, and the skilled use of enjambment (the continuation of a sentence beyond the end of a line), among other poetic tools wielded by the master. But these are the technical aspects of the poetry, the museum lighting that carefully illumines the painting. Therefore, while they certainly offer fodder for fruitful discussion, do not let them distract you from the painting itself, the story that Milton is telling.

This is the Digressio podcast, helping families inherit the humanities in their home. Welcome to Season 2, where we are, among some "Digressios," discussing Epic Poetry. I'm your host Daniel Foucachon, and I'm joined by our co-host Joe Carlson, translator of Dantes Divine comedy, and author of The Dante Curriculum.The topic today is “What to do with an epic poem?” 

In episode 14 (episode 2 of Season 2), Daniel Foucachon and Joe Carlson continue the discussion of epic poetry by defining an epic poem. They begin by discussing the four genres of literature based on Dr. Louise Cowan's genre theory (Epic, Tragedy, Comedy, and Lyric), and then the four elements that make up an Epic, which functions as Cosmopoesis through: Expansion of SpaceExpansion of TimeHarmony of OppositesFulfillment in the EschatonJoin the discussion! 

Welcome to Season 2 of The Digressio Podcast! In this season Daniel Foucachon and co-host Joe Carlson will discuss Epic Poetry, starting with the topic of this first episode: The Need for Epic Poetry.

The following was a portion of a Dante panel, focusing on the Inferno, presented at the University of Dallas, March 27, 2023, by Joe Carlson. Read the full article. Learn more about Dante's Divine Comedy at DantePoem.com

This special edition of the podcast is a reading of an article by Joe Carlson entitled “Four Reasons to Read Dante in 2023." You can also read this article: https://romanroadspress.com/2023/01/four-reasons-to-read-dante/Joe Carlson is a translator of Dante's Divine Comedy, and the author of a reader guide for each of the the three canticles, published by Roman Roads Press. You can find these at DantePoem.com. 

This special edition of the Digressio Podcast features an article by Dr. Mitch Stokes, senior fellow of Philosophy at New Saint Andrews College, entitled, "What Does Jesus have to do with STEM."  STEM refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In this article Dr. Stokes explores the need to integrate STEM fields with the Liberal Arts, and addresses the current crisis in Physics. "The proper kind of liberal arts education for STEM students has more than theoretical value; it has substantial practical value for the STEM disciplines themselves." - Mitch StokesDr. Stokes is the author of Calculus for Everybody, a Calculus text that embodies his vision for preparing the next generation of classical students heading into STEM fields. Learn more about Calculus for Everyone, and the other classical curriculum published by Roman Roads Press at www.romanroadspress.com Article read by Tim Stephenson. "What does Jesus have to do with STEM" first appeared in Digressio Magazine, Vol. 4 by Roman Roads Press. Read the article at www.DigressioMag.com.

In this episode, Daniel Foucachon sits down with Tim Griffith (the creator of Picta Dicta) and Reuben Jansen (the author of Picta Dicta Latin Primer) to discuss the art of learning Latin the right way, which means speaking and using Latin. Reuben tells us the story of how Latin Primer came about, and we discuss what speaking and using Latin as a living language looks like, as well as why it is worth while pursuing. Come listen to some Latin (don't worry, we'll teach you - even in this podcast!). Links: Picta Dicta (Vocabulary, Primer courses, and Readers):  https://romanroadsmedia.com/latin

Timothy Griffith joins us to answer the question "Why Latin?" and we need to integrate the three pathways of Use, Grammar, and Immersion. We also bash the SAT a little bit. INTRO:Tim Griffith, Fellow of Classical Languages, New Saint Andrews CollegePicta DictaOUTLINE:1. Why learn latin?2. Why latin over another language?3. Being familiar with the ancient worldview4. Real education vs. Studying to the test5. The three learning pathways6. The Grammar Approach and the Natural Method vs. Mixed Method Latin7. How Picta Dicta uses all the learning pathwaysFURTHER READING:The Mass Extinction Nobody Talks About - Tim GriffithThe Classic Learning Test

Rusty Olps tells us about the lesser-known roots of the modern school system, and the affects of incidentals like age-based placement and  5-day a week attendance.INTRO:The Jubilee SchoolLewis Clark Christian SchoolKepler EducationOUTLINE:1. The Prussian Model of Education2. Horace Mann's Report of an Educational Tour, 18443. Incidentals of the Modern School4. Diversity of learners, age-based grades, achievement-based advancement, 3-day model5. The flipped classroom model6. The One World Schoolhouse: Education Reimagined - Salman Kahn7. Homeschooling, Jubilee, and Kepler8. How parents can help improve their 5-day schoolsFURTHER READING:The German Conspiracy in American Education - Gustavus Ohlinger 1919Prussia and the German System of Education - Arthur BottThe Myth of the Common School - Charles Leslie Glenn Jr. John Taylor GattoDisrupting Class Deschooling Society- Ivan IllichSo You Want to Start a School? - Brian Daigle

Dr. Mitch Stokes tells us about his journey from engineering to philosophy and why those disciplines should be much more integrated than they typically are in the classroom and the lab.How To Be An Atheist - Why Most Skeptics Aren’t Skeptical EnoughA Shot of Faith to the Head - Be a Confident Believer in an Age of Cranky AtheistsGalileoMitch's journey from STEM to philosophyHow did science and math influence philosophy?What Does Jesus Have to Do with STEM? - Digressio MagazineIs calculus important?Why calculus is important for STEM peopleWhy calculus is important for humanities peopleCalculus for Everyone? - Digressio MagazinePractical tips for the school administrator and homeschooling parentCalculus for Everyone - Roman Roads StoreQuestions and Suggestions Form

In this episode "about" Homer's Iliad, we get to enjoy the entirety of Book 1, "The Rage of Achilles" from Wes Callihan's personal rendering of the Iliad.1. "About" the great books vs. "Through" the great books2. Roman Roads' 2019 Iliad Read Aloud Livestream3. ConclusionQuestions and Suggestions Form

In this episode we explore how to approach the great books as Christians, Enlightenment prejudices, and oft-forgotten Medieval classics through the very first lecture of the Old Western Culture course.Ep 4 - OWC Inaugural LectureOld Western Culture Year 1 - The GreeksWhat do the great books do for us?A Christian approach to the great books“The clean sea breeze of the centuries”Christianity vs. syncretism; a confessional approachEnlightenment prejudice in great books collectionsThe Consolation of PhilosophyRule of BenedictAnselm’s TheologyThe Golden LegendGeoffrey of MonmouthOld Western Culture Year 3 - ChristendomThe complete Christian classics reading listAncient Christians are our peopleConclusionQuestions and Suggestions Form

What is classical education? Is it a way of teaching (pedagogy) or is it the topics covered (subject)? We explore Daniel's answer and see how it dovetails with sharing the Gospel. Ep 3 - Classical Education as Inheriting the HumanitiesWhat is classical education? Pedagogy vs. SubjectThe inheritance of the West“The Humanities”: an integrated approach to many subjects, Calculus For EveryoneAn inheritance for who?Americans’ Roman worldviewDifferent cultural understandings of the Gospel: guilt vs. innocence, shame vs. honor, confidence vs. fearStudying the humanities shows us who we areWhy read pagans as Christians? Fitting WordsSuperficially Christian educationWestern inheritance: the weird uncleConclusionQuestions and Suggestions Form

Everybody knows Narnia, but fewer have ventured into C.S. Lewis's science fiction series, wrongly called "The Space Trilogy". Teacher, author, and Lewis scholar, Christiana Hale shares her knowledge of Lewis, the Discarded Image, and the deeper meaning behind the trilogy. Ep 2 - Deeper Heaven & Lewis’ Ransom TrilogyDeeper HeavenSilent Planet, Perelandra, Hideous StrengthForeword from Douglas WilsonChristiana’s introduction to LewisWhy does the Ransom Trilogy need a reader’s guide?Why Lewis wrote the Ransom TrilogyCopernican vs. Ptolemaic universes & medieval cosmologyThe cosmos & story arc of the ransom trilogyThe influence of the planets & astrologyThe Discarded Image in the Trilogy“Donegality” in Ransom Trilogy & Narnia (Planet Narnia + The Narnia Code)Deeper Heaven’s audience & outlineChristiana’s “Recovering the Discarded Image” from Digressio Magazine 2019Why is That Hideous Strength so different from the first two?Abolition of Man , education, and enlightenment rationalismConclusionQuestions and Suggestions Form

In this pilot episode we explore the mission and curricula of Roman Roads Press. Ep 1 - What is Roman Roads? What is Roman Roads?Great Books Reading ChallengeThe “Old Western Culture” course De Descriptione TemporumWhy is it called “Roman Roads”?RR curricula: Calculus For Everyone, Picta Dicta, Grammar of Poetry“Fitting Words” and the art of RhetoricConclusionQuestions and Suggestions Form