Five classic books that will change your life
Introducing Civic Renaissance's first course, launching TOMORROW!
Gracious readers,
I have some exciting news to share with you!
This week, after months of preparation, and in response to your feedback, I am thrilled to finally launch Civic Renaissance’s first course!
The course is called Five classic books that will change your life.
In this course, we’ll explore five seminal books that are each an essential part of the Great Conversation—books from across time and place that explore the highest questions in life, about origin, purpose, and destiny.
These are books that have changed my life, and have the promise to change yours, too.
I want every aspect of this course to bring value to you, so while I’ve mapped out a curriculum and five books to explore, I’ll be updating it as we go in response to your feedback.
Here are the books we will read, and some of the ideas that we’ll explore from each.
Plato’s Phaedo: Exploring the meaning of life, death, and the soul
Confucius’ Analects: Discovering the makings of a life well lived
Cicero’s On Friendship: Revealing the importance of community and friendship
St. Augustine’s Confessions: Reflecting on what it means to know one’s own self
Blaise Pascal’s Pensees: Examining the misery and greatness of man
Enrollment will be open TOMORROW, August 24th, at noon EST.
Enrollments will only open be open until 9pm EST Monday, August 30th, 2021—or until 200 spots are taken!
The first synchronous meeting of the course—where we will meet together to discuss the first readings and lecture—will be Tuesday, August 31st, 2021.
The Course Structure
Each module will explore one book, and have the following parts, which you can go through at your own pace:
Primary source reading
A recorded lecture
Transcript of recorded lecture
Discussion questions
A quiz
A conversation together about the reading
Upon registration, you’ll have access to the full first module!
Once each week, we’ll also have a synchronous meeting together where we will have he chance discuss the text, the discussion questions, and what insights the texts offer us for leading meaningful lives.
The synchronous meetings will also be recorded in case you’re unable to attend! The first synchronous meeting will be on Tuesday, August 31st, 2021, from 7-8pm EST.
The following meetings will be as scheduled, also from 7-8pm EST:
• Tuesday August 31th –Plato’s Phaedo
• Tuesday, Sept 7th –Confucius’ Analects
• Tuesday, Sept 14th –St. Augustine’s Confessions
• Tuesday, Sept 21th –Cicero’s On Friendship
• Tuesday, Sept 28th –Pascal’s Pensees
Again, if you cannot make one of these days work, do not fret! The recordings of our synchronous conversations will be available, and again, you can go through the lecture, readings, and quiz at your own pace!
This course will guide you through some of the greatest hits of the human tradition. It’s my privilege to be both your guide and fellow student as we explore the corridors of ancient wisdom through these books.
The definition of a classic work is one you can return to time and time again and consistently find something new.
Whether you’ve read all of these books or none of them, I’m confident you’ll gain new insights into the mysteries of the human condition and the well-lived life—and that these books can change your life as they have mine and countless others throughout history.
Oh, and the first ten people who register will get a copy of
What comes next
Once again, enrollment opens tomorrow, Aug 24th at noon EST!
Stay tuned this week for more details on the course, including FAQs and also info on the bonus content on offer for all people who register—forthcoming throughout this week :)
Thank you so much for being part of the Civic Renaissance community. I’m so grateful for the chance to get to know each of you through this course.
Warmly,
Lexi