Ancient Learning

Evidence that implies teaching & learning Babylon

Scribe class/tablet writers/commerce/ Royal courts Egypt

Scribal instruction/basic literacy Greeks

Sophists (5th C BCE) – Greek teachers of wisdom; spoke out on social issues, regarded as paid teachers, and taught others how to live successfully

Ancient Learning

The “Greats” Socrates (469—399 BCE)

Dialectic to define essence of anythingInstruction does not require buildings—marketplace. Plato created an academy outside of Athens (335 BCE – 529 AD)Plato studied w/Socrates and Aristotle studied w/Plato.

Additional schools of philosophy in Greece Alexandria Museum, 300 BCE

Collecting place for manuscripts, attracts scholars, research center, library holding 120,000 single books

Similar Centers Mark Anthony, Julius Caesar, Asia Minor

Ancient Learning

Learning supported by Royal Court w/o much interference

Christian Rome replaces Greek as center of learning Emergence of licensing of schools, allocation of

space for schools 8th C AD Church controls education to Dark Ages 11th C Europe begins to emerge from Dark Ages Trade, commerce, formation of guilds Pope Gregory VII supports cathedral schools to

educate clergy

Ancient Learning

Women in Education Education reserved for males Some mention of learned nuns and women

teachers of the young Apostle Paul stated “A woman must be a

learner, listening quietly and with due submission. But I suffer not a woman to be a teacher, nor should a woman be allowed to usurp a man’s authority, but must remain silent.”

Ancient Learning

Women in Education cont. Aristotle: woman was defective male Role: Marriage and children or convent Some exceptions: Dorotea Bocci 1390

philosophy/Bologna

Ancient Learning

Early Medieval (7th -12th C in Europe) Obstacles to Education:

Church main educator Universities suppose to search for Classical and

Christian thought Political situation Lack of interest

Thought of as Vocational Institutions Open Access

Lack of physical equipment

Ancient Learning

Pre-1500 era Universities provided little social status

11th and 12 centuries Universities went from Monasteries to Cathedral

schools Academic Life: Theology & Law (Canon) Subjects taught: The Seven Liberal Arts

Trivium: grammar, rhetoric, and dialect

Quadtrivium: arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music

12th C. Philosophy included

Ancient Learning

12th Century Europe 4 Stages in the Development of the Medieval

University1. Written laws – 1210 Paris reference to a written

document2. Right to be sued – 1212 University of Paris sued in

Papal Court by local religious authority3. Official seal – proof of existence of funds to pay debts

(Dartmouth case)4. Approval to collect money and engage in transactions

– 1215 Pope gives Univ. of Paris authority to make its own rules etc.

Ancient Learning

Chancellor: Paris – had restrictive authority England – Broaden authority (spiritual, civil, criminal

jurisdiction) Students Teachers Townspeople

University/Town relationship Murder Tavern Fights Hostile Mayors

Ancient Learning

Prerequisites for becoming a student

Latin, read, write, speak, typical age: 14; course of study: 5 years

Letter of Recommendation Poor Scholars

Ancient Learning

Student schedule-Bologna 1517Rise – 4 amArts Lecture – 5 amMass & Breakfast – 6 amClasses – 8 to 10 amFormal debates before noon mealRepetitions (questions about lectures)Lectures – 3to 5 pmDisputations (explanation of a statement or theory) – 5 to 6 pmRepetitions – after evening meal (beer was common) Bed – 9 pm

Fines (gambling, handball, swordplay, animals, prostitution)**Only Latin spoken in the Halls*****No weapons*** Punishment: deprivation of commons or meals (Flogging?)

Ancient Learning

Course of Study Baccalaureate

5 years Determination – exam given by a faculty member and open to the

public during lent Master’s

Additional studyProscribed readings/disputations/permission to teach, pass an exam

PhD1366 theology16 years beyond master’s35 years old

Ancient Learning

Oxford & Cambridge The roots of US Higher Education

Oxford Full university towards the close of the 12th CSpecialized: Arts, civil and canon law, theology, medicine (added 13th C)

CambridgeSpecialized: Arts, canon law, theology, civil law, medicine (later time)14th C students: at least 14 years, average age 15-17, undergraduate curriculum-classical