Discovering the Discussion Method

The morning of the first full day of the one-week High School Summer Program was off to an engrossing start as students eagerly talked over Sophocles’ tragic play Antigone at breakfast. At one table, a circle of students shared their expectations for the upcoming morning class, now that they had become acquainted with their fellow classmates. “Seeing how intelligent everyone is and now knowing them better, I’m excited to see how we all interact in a class setting!” observed Noelle C.

After breakfast, the book-laden programmers and prefects moved down to Dolben Library for class orientation. Once seated, the two sections were introduced to the faculty members who would lead their classes for the week: called “tutors,” the faculty at Thomas Aquinas College act as guides through the texts students read, letting the original authors serve as the true teachers. Tutor Dr. Paul Shields outlined how the Discussion Method works and encouraged the students to participate by asking questions and making points, offering tips on how to do so with ease.

On to the first class of the Summer Program! Students prepared for the Summer Program by reading Antigone before their arrival and, once in class, eagerly discussed the tragic tale of the titular young woman who gave her life to honor her dead brother and the Divine Law in the face of all odds. Themes of piety, impiety, morality, and submission to proper authority were explored with animation as the students participated in their first class discussion.

After class, it was off to Mass, then lunch. In the dining hall, each table buzzed as students talked with their tutors and classmates over buffalo wings and mac ‘n’ cheese. At one table, students questioned how Euclid would proceed in their next class, while at another table a tutor took another dive into the earlier Antigone questions with still-curious students.

Students and staff lingered at the tables even after the meal was over, reluctant to cut off their intriguing discourses. Finally, class-time called, and students trooped off to St. Gianna Molla Hall with Euclid’s Elements in hand, ready to discuss his definitions, common notions and postulates in preparation for the propositions to come.

Check back in with the Summer Blog tomorrow morning to find out how the students’ afternoon activities go, as they participate in outdoor antics and study props together for the first time!

More photos from the High School Summer Program ...

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