Farewell Great Books

I never knew that Faulkner’s Great Books Program would mean so much to me when I finished. When I started, I did not think I would ever finish the program and I knew for sure I was not going to try and do my thesis; Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Fullman had a different plan. I went into his office and told him I was done with the program and before I left his office he talked me into taking the next great books class and a contract course. He told me that the professors in the great books program would help me as much as I needed and it would not be the same with the other classes. Great Books was not the easy way but I learned a lot about myself through this program. It has forced me to get out my comfort zone and allowed me to grow mentally. Great books has given me some of my best friends, taught me to keep working even when it gets tough, and strengthened my faith. 

One of the best things that Great Books has given me is friendships and relationships that will last past the great books classroom. When I started Great Books I, I did not know anyone in the classroom but towards the end of the year I had gotten to know the people in my class extremely well. The people in the classes come from all different backgrounds and different majors but come together and make each other stronger. Aristotle says, “For no community comes into existence out of two doctors but rather out of a doctor and a farmer and, in general, out of those who are different and not equal. But these [differing types] must be equalized” (Aristotle 100). The in class discussions allowed all of us to talk and discuss our thoughts on what we thought the authors were trying to convey. This allowed us to learn how to respect others opinions and also to form our own opinions based on what we think. I have not only been able to form relationships with my peers but also with my professors. I am very thankful for being able to talk to Dr. Jacobs before every class and listen to him try and convince Baylee into doing her thesis. I am also thankful for Dr. Fullman helping me with my thesis and for the continued help he will give me while I complete it. I believe that these relationships will benefit me in future relationships with my peers and professors. 

One of the biggest things that Great Books has given me is a love to learn. In high school, I never really enjoyed school other than science. I was never really fond of english or history. So, when I heard about Great Books and that it would replace my english and history classes, I was happy to sign up for them. Not knowing that I would still learn a tremendous amount about history but just in a more entertaining way. It is essential to learn so that I will have a basis to grow on as I get further into my career and schooling. Aurelius says, “In writing and reading you must learn before you can teach. Yet more so in life” (Aurelius 113). I have been able to learn from the books and the discussions that I have had in great books. The books that I have read throughout this class have interested me and I have gained a great deal of knowledge from them. I learned by going through time, going to hell and back, on a voyage with Aeneas, and stuck in a room with Sartre. I learned that the right way is not always the easiest and one that does not have any bumps or twists and turns; but at the end of the road, you can see that the journey was well worth it. 

The Great Books program ends with a semester of books written by Christian authors. We learned more about pain with C.S. Lewis, discipleship with Bonhoeffer, the incarnation with St. Athanasius, and many more topics. I think this is really important to end the program with these books because it ends with what our focus should be on. I really enjoyed this semester because it showed us why others believe in God and it also allows us to strengthen our faith. I think it is really important to be able to defend your faith and I think that reading these spiritual classics have allowed me to look into why I believe. To be able to defend your faith, then you also have to know the other side of the equation. I really enjoyed reading The Return of the Prodigal Son and learning about how one painting can inspire and evolve one man’s beliefs and his walk with Christ. Overall, this semester of just really diving into Christian books has strengthened my spiritual life and has pushed me to study more and learn as much as I can. 

I hate to see my time in Great Books come to an end but I am thankful for the experience that I had. I am thankful for the memories that will last forever (not of the books but the people). Well maybe some of the books. I will never forget my Great Books II class where Dr. Jacobs was stuck with five girls or my Great Books V class where Dr. Fullman and Dr. Jacobs was stuck with five girls. We all know these were your favorite classes. I would have never guessed what a blessing that the Great Books program would end up being for me. I will miss yelling the safe word and reading the new quotes that are on the board. This has sincerely been some of my favorite classes here at Faulkner and I am so glad that I tried to avoid English Composition I. So with this essay, I bid farewell to a class that I will love forever.