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The Seven Liberal Arts

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  1. Lessons

    Lesson 1: Why the Seven Liberal Arts are "Liberal" and "Arts" (Preview Content)
    4 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  2. Lesson 2: Why the Seven Liberal Arts are "Liberating" (Preview Content)
    4 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  3. Lesson 3: The Seven Liberating Arts
    3 Topics
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    1 Quiz
  4. Lesson 4: The History of the Seven Liberal Arts
    3 Topics
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    1 Quiz
  5. Lesson 5: The Trivium Arts
    3 Topics
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    1 Quiz
  6. Lesson 6: The Quadrivium Arts
    3 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  7. Lesson 7: Teaching the Quadrivium Like We Aren't Materialists
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
  8. Lesson 8: Discussion of Harmony, Pedagogy and Assessment of the Arts
    1 Topic
  9. Lesson 9: Discussion of the Arts as Liberating Arts
    1 Topic
  10. End of Course Test
    End of Course Test: The Seven Liberal Arts
    1 Quiz
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Vocabulary & Etymology Activity 

In this lecture, Dr. Perrin provides several examples of how vocabulary and etymology illuminate ideas about classical education. These examples included liberalarts, and rudimentary. How often do you consider the nuanced meanings or histories of words you use on a regular basis? Take several minutes to complete the following activity:

  1. Choose a word that you use frequently in the classroom, or choose a word that you enjoy. (If you need help, here is a quick list: vocabulary, etymology, observation, grammar, dictionary, reading, insight, illumination, problem, joy, or difficult).
  2. Once you have chosen your word, look up its etymology on a website such as the Online Etymology Dictionary. Is it Latin, Greek, Germanic? What does the etymology tell you about the meaning of the word? Did you learn anything new?
  3. Do the same with an online dictionary, such as the English Oxford Living Dictionaries. Have you been using the word correctly? What did your search reveal?

Once you learn a word’s origin and clear meaning, you are free to use that word in a variety of new ways. Additionally, you now understand the word in a deeper, richer way.