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About
Fidelity & ExcellenceThomas Aquinas College is unique among American colleges and universities, offering a faithfully Catholic education comprised entirely of the Great Books and classroom discussions.
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A Liberating Education
Truth MattersTruth, and nothing less, sets men free; and because truth is both natural and supernatural, the College’s curriculum aims at both natural and divine wisdom.
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A Catholic Life
Under the Light of FaithThe intellectual tradition and moral teachings of the Catholic Church infuse the whole life of Thomas Aquinas College, illuminating the curriculum and the community alike.
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Admission & Aid
Is TAC Right for You?Do you enjoy grappling with complex questions? Are you willing to engage in discussions about difficult concepts, with the truth as your ultimate goal?
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Students & Parents
Mind, Body & SpiritThere is always something to do at TAC — something worthwhile, something fulfilling, and something geared toward ever-greater spiritual and intellectual growth.
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Alumni & Careers
What Can You Do with a Liberal Education?Nothing speaks more to the versatility of the College’s academic program than the good that our alumni are doing throughout the Church and the world.
First Day!
Despite a busy Sunday of settling into the College, many students on the California Summer Program rose early Monday to visit the Pope St. John Paul II Athletic Center or go for a run on the campus loop together with prefects. Hungry from their morning workout, they walked over to St. Joseph Commons for some breakfast. Next came a final orientation meeting in St. Cecilia Hall, and Program Director Brian Dragoo dove deep into the kinds of questions and discussions students will encounter in the classroom. He encouraged students “to build an understanding of the truth, in a spirit of cooperation.”
From there, they made there way over to Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel for Mass with Fr. Sebastian.
Then, it was time for the programmers’ first class at Thomas Aquinas College!
During the morning session, the high schoolers talked about Sophocles’ tragedy Oedipus Rex. The play centers around a well-intentioned man who receives a terrible prophecy: He is doomed to murder his father and marry his mother. Oedipus runs away from home, hoping to avert the impending doom, but by leaving his fatherland only seems to bring about the prophecy’s fulfillment. The tragedy raises questions concerning fate, free will, and justice. It also invites the reader to think about whether Oedipus deserves pity — or whether he merited his fate. The students enjoyed talking about the reading with their classmates.
As the students left their classrooms, each of the eight sections took a photo on the Chapel steps with its tutor, concluding with all 134 attendees posing for a group shot. Students and tutors continued the conversations they held in class during lunch, fueling up on Greek-style steak, tabbouleh, and salad. Before returning to the classrooms, the prefects surprised Anthony M. with a chocolate cake for his 17th birthday, and the whole Commons joined in singing “Happy Birthday” to him.
After lunch, attendees returned to the classroom to discuss Plato’s Euthyphro, a dialogue between the renowned philosopher Socrates and his acquaintance, Euthyphro, who is confident of being able to define the virtue of piety. Socrates, however, makes formidable objections to Euthyphro’s definitions, leaving the high schoolers to wrestle with the question themselves. What is piety? Is something pious merely because it is pleasing to the gods, or is it pleasing to the gods because it is pious?
Glad to have completed a challenging but rewarding work in the classroom, the students are ready to face each other off in this afternoon’s Section Games! Come back to the Summer Blog tomorrow to read all about it!
