High Scholars Worldview curriculum is a two year course created by Belhaven College to provide a seamless integration of history, literature and the arts, with a Christian worldview emphasis. High Scholars is designed to provide a home learning experience that goes beyond mere facts and brings students to a profound understanding of the biblical world perspective.
Classes take students on a journey through the great societies of western civilization, where they sharpen their personal, biblical worldview while studying and critiquing the belief systems of each culture. This unique approach teaches students the value of a Christian worldview for personal growth, the shaping of cultural moral values, and the building of prosperous and healthy communities. As a result of their studies, students will develop a biblically sound personal worldview.
Each lesson is taught in an online classroom with Christian faculty, and students find the online courses in high school geography, history, English, and culture challenging and enjoyable.
Western Civilization, Spielvogel, Jackson J.
Thomas-Wadsworth, 2003.
The Holy Bible
Various assigned articles
The Bedford Anthology of World Literature, Volumes 1 and 2
Digital image databases, online museums and galleries, various exploratory and educational websites, and digital and printed handouts rather than a comprehensive text.
GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY and WORLDVIEW
High scholars takes us on a journey through the great cultures that
led to the flowering of western civilization,
we will examine the geography and natural resources, history and
worldview of each culture, acknowledging human accomplishments and
exploring the human predicament. Using five “Worldview Indicators,” we
will look at people’s ideas about God, nature, humanity, morals, and
government, and examine differing views and their consequences. The
excellence of the Scriptures will shine through as we see God’s wisdom
and discover the blessings of living according to the principles of
God’s Word.
LITERATURE AND
COMPOSITION
Literature is a natural extension of a
culture’s worldview. Big ideas influence the style and form of their
literature; literature, in turn, influences the way people look at the
world. Starting with the ancient cultures of Western Civilization and
following their transformation through the rise of Christianity, we will
enhance students' understanding of culture, history and worldviews through the
study of literature. Careful completion of class assignments will also
polish important language and composition skills.
WORLD CULTURE
Works of art are implicit carriers of worldviews. They act as
containers for messages passed down from past civilizations. It is the
goal of this course to introduce students to methods of visual analysis,
provide explorations into exemplary artifacts, and give them an
understanding of the worldviews of past cultures contained within their
art.
Beginning with the dawn of Western Civilization and extending through its radical transformation by Christianity, this course will complement and enhance the student’s understanding of these cultures gained through the other segments of the High Scholars Program.
Specifically, students will determine how worldviews are made manifest through art by studying form, function and content. And students will discuss the worldviews and works of art of past civilizations in light of a Christian Worldview.
RATIONALE
Everyone recognizes the greatness of western civilization. but how did we get where we are today? Freedom, equality, the rule of law, individual rights, the sanctity of human life – actually, every blessing we hold dear is based on a worldview that comes from the scriptures of the old and new testaments. Students in the course will learn facts and gain understanding that will prepare them for the faith challenges that are sure to come as they pursue their future education.
This is a two year home education course that integrates geography, history, literature, and culture with a primary emphasis on worldview. It is therefore very important that students follow the sequence of study as outlined by the instructors.
Each week students will view several pre-recorded lectures on interactive DVDs. Active student participation, such as note-taking and learning exercises will be embedded into the lectures. Students will meet in the live online classroom twice a week for an hour and a half each day. It will be a dynamic time of discussion and thought provoking activities to reinforce the homework and lectures.
Individual assignments will be required on a daily basis. Occasionally students will be asked to work on a task with teammates. There will be one major project each semester that integrates all three subject areas and involves a class presentation with a 5-8 page research paper.
Our course developers have worked hard to make the curriculum challenging as well as engaging and fun.
Students will be challenged to learn the facts, connect the facts in a meaningful way, and be able to communicate their analysis in a clear and concise way. Student performance will be evaluated in several ways during the semester, including the following:
