Though subject to minor changes year-to-year, the following texts are typical for a standard Center year. (Additional texts of interest to individual students can be added and studied during one-on-one tutorial time.) The Center also informs all incoming students on what specific editions and versions to buy so that every one is (literally) on the same page.

Center for Western Studies

Book List for 2024-25

Below you will find the books and the editions we will be using for the year, starting in September. Often our students already own some of these books, but please make note of the editions/translations, not just the titles, as we will want to “be on the same page” for our lectures/discussions.

Fall Semester

C S Lewis, Abolition of Man

Homer, Odyssey - Fagles translation.

Sophocles, Oedipus the King

Plato Meno

Aristotle Ethics

Stark Rise of Christianity

Augustine Confessions

Bonaventure Mind’s Journey

Dante Inferno, Esolen Translation

Spring Semester

Shakespeare (any editions)