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