Plato's Ghost: Plato's Legacy in the History of Classical and Christian Art
Instructor: Dr. Jason Baxter
Tuesdays, 8:00-9:30 PM Eastern
This class runs on its own 9-week schedule (available below), which begins in the Fall semester, or is available as an asynchronous class
REQUIRED TEXTS (WITH LINKS)
Jerome Pollitt’s Art and Experience in Classical Greece [optional]
Plato’s Timaeus - I recommend Francis Cornford’s edition of Timaeus
Philip Sherrard, “Transfiguration” Provided in class.
Otto von Simson, Gothic Cathedral. Provided in class.
Richard Southern, “From Romance to Epic.” Provided in class.
Samuel Edgerton, The Rediscovery of Linear Perspective. Provided in class.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
"It’s all in Plato, all in Plato: bless me, what do they teach them at these schools!"--C.S. Lewis
When Lewis had his Professor Kirk speak those memorable lines, he was only partly joking. Especially in the search for beauty, Plato has been the single most important philosopher for the pre-modern, Christian and classical worldview. This interdisciplinary course--designed for to be accessible to non-specialists--will teach lovers of literature how to read a select number of masterpieces from the history of art, but Plato's own thoughts on beauty will form the narrative in which Greek temples, the Pantheon, the Hagia Sophia, the Gothic cathedral, the paintings of Giotto, the Mona Lisa, the School of Athens, the Sistine Chapel Ceiling, and the statues of Bernini make sense.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Week One - September 16
Week Two - September 23
Week Three - October 7
Week Four - October 14
Week Five - October 28
Week Six - November 4
Week Seven - November 11
Week Eight - November 18
Week Nine - December 2 (Last Day of Live Class)
TUITION INFORMATION
$315.00 total (including $95.00 non-refundable deposit)
All balances must be paid before classes begin.
Please see our Withdrawal Policy HERE.
Three Payment Options Available:
Pay Tuition in Full Immediately
Pay Deposit Immediately and Pay Remaining Tuition by June 1st, 2025
Pay Deposit Immediately and Pay Remaining Tuition in Three Installments (June 1st, July 1st, and August 1st) with Additional Service Charge
