Teacher: Celeste Guthrie (Read more about her biography here)
Dates for 4-week course:
February 23 – March 20, 2026
Times for Live Sessions: Monday through Thursday, Starting at 9:15am MT (which is 11:15am ET and 8:15am PT). Each live session lasts between 50 and 70 minutes.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Enlightenment is a transformative journey for 6th and 7th grade students, inviting them to explore the stirring ideals of reason, liberty, and the power of human thought. At this age, young people are beginning to question the world around them and seek deeper understanding and the ideas of the Enlightenment speak directly to their inner striving for truth and meaning. This class will encourage students to engage with the thoughts and dreams of those who sought to break free from tradition and build a new foundation for human knowledge and society.
Students will discover how philosophy, science, and art intertwine to shape the way we view our relationship to the world. They will have the opportunity to reflect on how these ideals resonate in their own lives, and how the courage to question, imagine, and create continues to inspire change.
Topics Covered
- Introduction to the Enlightenment and its historical context
- Exploration of key figures and ideas that changed the course of history
- The influence of the Enlightenment on art, science, and politics
- Reflection on the lasting legacy of these ideas in the world today
