Morning Hike, Genesis & Section Photos!

Students on the California High School Summer Program took in their third day of the TAC classroom experience today, diving into the Book of Genesis after last night’s dancing and dorm parties.

Regardless of the late-night fun, a group of women nonetheless rose for an early-morning hike to soak in the natural beauty in the surrounding hills. On their excursion, they were joined by a surprise companion — “Travis,” a local cat whom the College’s students have named in honor of the campus’s assistant dean.

After breakfast, the students headed to their now-familiar classrooms, excited to dive into Sacred Scripture. Having discussed the pre-Socratic philosophers’ notions of nature on Tuesday, the Summer Program students turned their attention to the Biblical account of Creation in chapters 1-10. They compared the two different narratives, contemplated the perennial battle between good and evil, and asked how Adam and Eve’s free will could coexist with God’s foreknowledge of the Fall.

At lunch in St. Joseph Commons, as the group feasted on burgers and fries, the prefects brought out cakes to celebrate the birthdays of two programmers, Monica S. and Mary J! The room exploded with a spirited rendition of “Happy Birthday” and cheers for the birthday girls, who graciously shared their cakes with their tablemates.

Students then returned to the classroom to continue their discussion of the Word of God. The afternoon class focused on Genesis, chapters 11 to 25. This time, students considered Abraham and Isaac, focusing on such questions as, “What is meant by the various blessings given to Abram?” “What does it mean to bless God?” “Was Abraham good, so God chose him to be father of faith, or was he good because God chose him?” “Can you have faith and still question God or be anxious?”

Discussions also made reference to Plato’s treatment of filial piety in the Euthyphro, giving students a sense of how the College’s curriculum is fully integrated. They will get an even greater appreciation of that integration tomorrow, when they discuss Kierkegaard’s various presentations of the Sacrifice of Isaac in Fear and Trembling.

Section Photos

At Thomas Aquinas College, the Discussion Method works via sections, groups of about 17 students who, for the duration of the academic year, take all their daytime classes together. Because the method depends on open discourse — which, in turn, relies on trust — it is important for students to come to know each other well. By taking nearly all of their classes together, the members of each section achieve a sense of intimacy and come to rely on one another in their shared pursuit of the truth.

Classes in the High School Summer Program are also arranged by sections, and the slideshow below features each of the sections — all eight of them! — in this year’s two-week California program: