The University of Dallas Classical Education Podcast
Welcome to The University of Dallas Classical Education Podcast. Join us as we sit down with professors, K-12 teachers, and thought leaders who are shaping the landscape of classical education. Our guests bring deep insight and practical wisdom to educators, parents, and lifelong learners alike. Whether you're a seasoned classical educator or just beginning your journey, this podcast will inform, inspire, and deepen your understanding of a tradition that seeks to cultivate virtue, wonder, and a love of truth. Hosted by Dr. Shannon Valenzuela.
The University of Dallas Classical Education Podcast
Experiencing Dante's Divine Comedy with Dr. Joe Carlson
Summary
In this conversation, Shannon Valenzuela interviews Dr. Joe Carlson, a University of Dallas alumnus and translator of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. They discuss his journey into the world of Dante, focusing on the personal nature of translation and the importance of delight in education. He emphasizes the role of enthusiasm in teaching, the art of translation, and the significance of medieval cosmology in understanding both literature and the sacramental nature of reality. The conversation also explores the distinction between contemplation and analysis in education, advocating for a more immersive and engaging approach to teaching classical texts.
Resources & Links:
- Dr. Carlson's Dante translation and curriculum: dantepoem.com
- Dr. Carlson's editions of John Milton's Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained: miltonpoem.com
Topics Covered:
- Delight as the key to a lasting educational experience
- The process of translating The Divine Comedy
- Medieval cosmology and the sacramental nature of reality
- Practical tips on teaching epic works
- Practical tips on teaching translation in language courses
Today's Guest:
Dr. Joe Carlson lives in Moscow, Idaho with his wife and son. He graduated from New Saint Andrews College with a BA in Liberal Arts in Culture, and from the University of Dallas with an MA in Humanities and a PhD in Literature. He has managed a chain of coffee shops, published (micro) epic poetry, co-pastored a church, co-founded a university campus ministry, and taught many different kinds of classes over the years. Currently, he is an adjunct lecturer at New Saint Andrews College, a humanities teacher with Logos Online School, and a curriculum developer at Roman Roads Press. He is the author of, among other things, the Dante Curriculum, which includes an original blank verse translation of The Divine Comedy, published by Roman Roads.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Joe Carlson and His Work
08:11 Delight as a Key Ingredient in Learning
17:46 The Teacher as a Leading Learner
21:39 The Process of Translation and Its Challenges
31:32 The Influence of C.S. Lewis and Medieval Cosmology
38:47 Practical Tips for Teaching Dante
45:02 Contemplation and Immersion in Teaching Literary Texts
University of Dallas Links:
- Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed
- St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/
Books Mentioned in Today's Episode
Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy, translated by Dr. Joe Carlson.
John Milton, Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained, edited by Dr. Joe Carlson.
C.S. Lewis, "Meditation in a Tool Shed"
C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Michael Ward, Planet Narnia
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