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- Course name
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An Introduction to the Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas, Part One
- Summary
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Learn how to reason and understand Thomistic philosophy in this relatable course that simplifies the complex for your student. Learn how to think intelligently about God and the world He made -- and how to exercise reason in its highest form. Get easy-to-understand philosophy at its very best.
Instructor: Mr. Dave Palmer
Course Description: Every Christian should be grounded in an understanding of solid principles of Christian philosophy and Dave Palmer believes the younger a person learns them, the better he or she will be equipped to live an authentically Christian life in the midst of our challenging culture. The Catholic Church’s understanding of philosophy is based on the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas and his classic, The Summa Theologica. This class is designed to provide students with an overview of the main themes and teachings of The Summa Theologica over the course of two semesters. The focus of the class is on Thomas’ teaching on the end and purpose of the human person, which is to spend eternity with God and how one best accomplishes this goal through a life of virtue, holiness, and awareness of the presence of God in our everyday experiences.
The Summa by St. Thomas Aquinas, which can be found free online.
- Course name
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An Introduction to the Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas, Part One
- Instructor
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Dave Palmer
- Semester
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Fall 2025
- Category
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Philosophy ➤ Catholic Philosophers
- Grade levels
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High School
- Monitor
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Anastasia Brooks
- Start time
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September 11th, 2025 at 2:30 PM ET
- Course type
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Live
- Price
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$237
- Seats available
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25 seats available
- Seats remaining
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19 seats remaining
- Relative due dates
- Enhanced quiz security
- Enhanced assignment security
- This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections or purchasers of the course. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment, and in violation of US and International copyright laws.
- You may print or download to your own storage 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.
- Upon completion of the course, you must delete all copies of course materials from any storage on which you saved permissible extracts.
Special notes
This is Part One of a 2-part course. Students are expected to sign up for Part Two in the spring.
Total classes
Class dates
Starting time
Duration
Prerequisites
None
Suggested grade level
Suggested credit
Outline
Course Outline:
Class 1 - Introduction… Why study the Summa Theologica?
Class 2 - Can We Be Certain That God Exists?
Class 3 – Who and What Is God?
Class 4 - What Can We Know About God?
Class 5 – What does God do? His Intellect, Will, and Providence
Class 6 – The Most Holy Trinity & the Angels
Class 7 – The Unique Dignity of the Human Person
Class 8 – What makes human actions good or evil?
Class 9 - The Will and The Passions
Class 10 - Good and Bad Habits
Class 11 – The Various Kinds of Law
Class 12 – Grace, Justification, and Merit
Materials
Homework
Homework will consist of taking a weekly quiz and answering short essay questions based on class material most weeks. Other assignments will include taking pictures of interesting creatures and making a connection between the creatures and God as their creator. Students will also be asked several times each semester to use a particular God-given talent that they have (writing stories, making slideshows, videos, etc.) to create a project to best explain the subject matter of that week’s lesson. Estimated two hours per week spent on reading and assignments outside of the classroom.
Fees
Fee: For all 12 classes: $217 if you register on or before July 15; $237 if you register after July 15. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registrations are not guaranteed. There is a $25 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)
Dave Palmer
davepalmer@grnonline.com

About David Palmer
Dave Palmer teaches a course with Homeschool Connections called An Introduction to the Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas.
He’s taught the philosophy of the Angelic Doctor to high school students and adults for over ten years and has a particular interest in applying the teachings of the Summa to our everyday life experiences and how these experiences can help us better understand God and our final end.
Dave serves as Executive Director of the Guadalupe Radio Network’s Catholic Radio station in north Texas, KATH 910 AM, and is the host of several radio programs, including Back to the Father, a program focusing on the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica which is broadcast on the Guadalupe Radio Network’s social media sites. He’s the author of St. Thomas Aquinas for Everyone: 30 Quick and Fun Lessons, Activities and Outdoor Adventures Based on the Summa Theologica.
Dave and his wife, Paula, live in Texas and are proud parents of three children.
Click here for more Info on Dave Palmer!
Books
Anastasia Brooks

As a homeschool graduate Anastasia Brooks developed a passion for excellence within education. She saw the intellectual development along with the formation to think independently and critically within her homeschool years. She believes in encouraging this within her style of teaching along with a genuine willingness to learn from students
During her teenage years, Anastasia found herself wondering what the true sense of femininity meant and how the Catholic Church’s stance on it differed from the world’s view. After finding it through Pope St John Paul II’s writings on the Feminine Genius, she became passionate about spreading it to other young teenagers so they too will understand their inherent dignity and worth as daughters of Christ in the modern world.
In addition to teaching Anastasia is the Founder and Owner of “Valleys of Grace” specializing in chapel veils and spreading the true meaning behind why women should veil. In her spare time, she can be found reading a good book, baking, hiking and being involved in her local Catholic communities.
For more info about Anastasai Brooks, Click Here!
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