The Christian Institute for the Study of Liberal Arts
The spirit of Christian humanism finds expression in Alcuin's own letters to Charles the Great: 'If your intentions are carried out,' he writes, 'it may be that a new Athens will arise in France, and an Athens fairer than the old, for our Athens, ennobled by the teaching of Christ, will surpass the wisdom of the Academy. The old Athens had only the teachings of Plato to instruct it, yet even so it flourished by the seven liberal arts. But our Athens will be enriched by the gift of the Holy Spirit and will, therefore surpass all the dignity of earthly wisdom'.
- Christopher Dawson
The purpose of The Christian Institute for the Study of Liberal Arts is to glorify God by embracing academic excellence and emphasizing a strong commitment to integrity within a caring Christian environment.
Specifically, the Institute will serve as a unique branch of the Great Books Honors College. The Institute with The Great Books Honors College will provide special means to work across disciplines with collaborative projects. The Institute will also be the virtual presence of the Great Books Honors College in its work with the various fellows who serve the Institute.
The areas of tutoring and research will include:
- Humanities/Liberal Arts
- Bible
- Philosophy
- Religion
- Science (Biology, Physics, Astronomy)
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Civics, Political Science)
- History (Ancient, Modern, European, and American)
- Literature (Literary classics, Rhetoric)
The Institute fellows will be involved in tutoring, writing, and developing resources. All Fellows would all (at this point) be involved in a part-time basis (possibly as little as one course per semester with options for more involvement) as the need and desire increases.
All involvement with the Institute will be via distance. We would utilize a range of tools (Blackboard, Wimba, Skype, Gmail, and Google Docs and other such) in attempts to create a virtual learning community. What is most rewarding, but also most challenging is that our Institute is a Great Books/Great Ideas organization that will deal mostly with primary sources (in translation) of the masterpieces and classics of the Western tradition.
Candidates for the following positions must be available on a part time basis:
- Tutoring Fellow (primarily will tutor in the undergraduate and/or the graduate programs)
- Research and Writing Fellow (primarily will develop resources for distribution)
- Scholarly Fellow (in addition to tutoring, research, and writing this person has special standing in the Institute due to a breadth of wisdom and experience and will serve as ongoing consultant for the betterment of the Institute)
Most specifically the Christian Institute for the Study of Liberal Arts will put forth every effort to "Think Christianly" about education and will provide resources for:
- Classical Christian Schools
- Home school organizations and families
- Christian Schools
- Christians involved in education K-Graduate school
Beginning this year the Institute will develop and distribute some of the following:
- Online Journal
- Booklets
- Study Guides
- Reflective Questions for Primary Sources
- Primary and Secondary Source Listings
- Blogs
- Pod Casts
- CD Recordings of Institute Events
If you are interested, please respond accordingly based on information below. Additionally, I will also be glad to answer any questions you might have.
Application Criteria
In order to be considered for the Institute Fellow Candidate Pool, applicants are required to possess:
- Minimum of Master's Degree for B.Litt. work; minimum of Ph.D. for M.Litt./D.Litt. work.
To Apply for the Institute Fellows Candidate Pool
Please submit the following information:
- Cover letter - please list your qualified discipline(s)
- Vita or résumé - please include names and contact information for 3 academic/professional references
- A copy of your academic transcripts (Official transcripts will be required at time of hire)
Submit all necessary documents to:
Dr. Robert M. Woods
Faulkner University
5345 Atlanta Highway
Montgomery, AL 36109
OR email to rmwoods@faulkner.edu // 334-386-7313 (phone)
Knowledge can puff us with pride, but if it is received rightly, a liberal education inculcates at least one virtue: the master virtue of humility.
- Peter Leithart
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