Register for this course to meet the “real” GK Chesterton and learn from one of the greatest Catholic minds of modern times. In this Chesterton primer, we will study how his work speaks to us today and what we can glean from his sense of wonder and joy.

How to get the most out of Introduction to Gilbert Keith Chesterton with John C. "Chuck" Chalberg Ph.D.:

• First, read the course materials below before the first class recording.

• Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes for each recording.

• Read assignments before class recordings.

• Watch that class's recording if you need to revisit information.

• Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that class.

• Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

• Special Notes: Includes optional writing component. For a full semester, follow with Dr. Chalberg’s course: Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton

Total Classes: 6

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Instructor: John C. "Chuck" Chalberg Ph.D.

Course Description: There is currently an investigation into opening the cause for G. K. Chesterton’s sainthood. He has been credited with the conversion of many of today’s Catholic leaders, including Homeschool Connections’ Joseph Pearce, Kevin O’Brien, and most famously Dale Ahlquist. What is it about Gilbert Keith Chesterton’s writing that leads people to the Catholic Church?

In this six-week course, the instructor will take students deep into the life of this literary giant and provide a solid foundation for delving into his writings. It is recommended that students continue to read Chesterton’s writings once this course is completed as well as check out all of the other Homeschool Connections Chesterton courses (What’s Wrong with the World, Everlasting Man, etc.)

Course Outline:

1. Chesterton's youth and young manhood

2. Chesterton's early writings, 1901-1912

3. Chesterton and World War I

4. Chesterton and America

5. Chesterton and his conversion

6. Chesterton's later writings and distributism

Course Materials: Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton by Joseph Pearce [Ignatius Press] (ISBN-10: 1621640558 / ISBN-13: 978-1621640554). Available from ignatius.com, your favorite Catholic bookseller, or bookfinder.com.

Homework: Reading and quizzes after each class (automated for immediate feedback). Expect reading, studying, and quizzes to take approximately two to three hours per week outside of the class recordings. There will be two optional writing assignments of 500-600 words each for those who would like to go the extra mile.

Technical Help: If you have any technical trouble or questions about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

©2023 Homeschool Connections and John C. "Chuck" Chalberg Ph.D. All rights reserved. This course is designed by John C. "Chuck" Chalberg Ph.D.

• This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws. 

• You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.