Old Western Culture is a four-year, integrated
humanities curriculum from Roman Roads Press that combines literature, history,
theology, philosophy, art, and government from a Christian perspective. This
classical Christian program guides students through the great books and ideas
that shaped Western Civilization.
Each year is divided into four self-contained units and
includes full video lectures from experienced teachers, reading of classic
works, art study, discussion questions, response assignments, and quarterly
exams. The program is designed for 1–3 hours of daily work and is ideal for
grades 9–12.
Key Curriculum Features:
Four-year
sequence: The Greeks, The Romans, Christendom, and Early
Moderns
Integration
of literature with history, philosophy, theology, and fine arts
Full-color
video lectures as the core of instruction
Extensive
reading of primary sources and great books
Study
of period artwork with a “Guide to the Art” booklet
Discussion
questions, written responses, and quarterly exams
Flexible
pacing for independent study or classroom use
Program Components:
DVD
Video Lectures: Core instructional videos with teacher lectures for
each unit
Student
Workbooks: Printed or PDF versions containing questions, discussion
prompts, and answer keys
Student
Readers: Optional printed anthologies containing many of the primary
readings in case you don’t own the recommended classic literature yourself
Guide
to the Art: 24-page booklet included with the DVDs
Additional Resources: Available free on the Roman Roads Press website, https://romanroadsmedia.com/materials/
Course Sequence:
The
Greeks: Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, Greek drama
(Sophocles, Euripides), Plato, Aristotle, and more
The
Romans: Aeneid, Livy, Julius Caesar, Cicero, Augustine’s Confessions
and The City of God
Christendom:Beowulf, Arthurian legends, Aquinas, The Divine Comedy, Canterbury
Tales, Faerie Queene, and Reformation writers
Early
Moderns: Shakespeare (King Lear, Richard III, TheMerchant of Venice), Paradise Lost, Romantic poets,
Enlightenment thinkers, Dickens, Dostoevsky, Austen, Tolkien, and C.S.
Lewis
Old Western Culture stands out for its rich classical
content, beautiful integration of the liberal arts, and strong Christian
worldview. It is an excellent choice for homeschool families, co-ops, and
classical Christian schools seeking a high-quality, video-supported humanities
program.
Browse all Old Western Culture years, bundles, and
individual components below!
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Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
