After Rome to the Rise of Islam
There has never been an uneventful century in human history. Nevertheless, certain centuries stand out as especially turbulent and vibrant, especially given the benefit of the perspective of a later age. There is so much we do not know about Europe from the end of the hegemony of Rome to the dawning of the 11th century, a time that has come to be known as the early Medieval period. But one thing we do know is that these centuries were the crucible that shaped modern Europe and the entire western world.
In this course, we will examine these crucial centuries, highlighting major social, intellectual, and spiritual movements that we are still feeling the ramifications of today. Using the source book The Early Middle Ages: After Rome to Rise of Islam that I developed for Classical Academic Press, we will study this period through primary sources, allowing the people of this time to speak for themselves.
This course is being offered in conjunction with ClassicalU. In addition to your registration in this course, you will also receive six weeks of complimentary access to ClassicalU.
May 27, June 10, 24, July 8, 22m August 5, 2025
Tuesdays 7:00 - 9:00 pm CT
This class is for ages 18+
$550 / student
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Junius Johnson's "Here Be Dragons" course is a wealth of beauty, wonder, and wisdom. It's not so much the wealth of a dragon's hoard, which (as we learned) is embedded with deadly greed and selfishness, but the wealth of the feast of Aslan's table or Galadriel's gift of seed and soil, a fruitful and life-giving abundance. Our discussions involved reflections on the meaning of "twilight" or forgotten spaces; the mystery of communion; the spiritual aspects of smell; the relationship between common sense and courage; the truths embedded in ancient songs; and other fascinating topics. This summer's study deepened my joy and curiosity as a reader and believer.
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In working with and thinking about words as a full-time vocation, I found myself slightly stuck in a here and nowness that lacked imagination. Like the blind man that Jesus touched, who then saw “men as trees” — I was groping for clarity. Dr. Johnson’s course was the condition upon which I received a second touch from Christ that gave me fuller sight.
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Participating in a course led by Dr. Junius Johnson is a wonderful journey of exploration, seeking hidden gems in unexpected places. It is an opportunity to learn to look deeper than the surface, both in reading and in the mundane of life. A delightful feast for the mind that lasts far beyond the actual banquet.
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Dr. Johnson’s knowledge of theology, philosophy, and literature, combined with his engaging style of communication, make him an excellent intellectual guide. If you see fantasy as somewhat pointless or as something reserved for children, Dr. Johnson will correct your thinking. His class on dragons [...] deepened my appreciation for fantasy as a vehicle of truth and better equipped me with the perspective and hope that enable a person to face and bear hardship well.