MONTREAL, August 1, 2008 - Learning doesn't have to end when we leave school, university or professional training. Ideally, it's an activity that continues throughout life.
“Curiosity at the center of one’s life” has been the motto for Thomas More Institute (TMI) since its inception 63 years ago. Affiliated with Bishop's University, TMI students may take the courses for credit towards a Bachelor of Arts degree.
While some students are working toward their degrees, there are also many students who enrol in the same courses out of interest, for the simple joy and stimulation of learning.
The diverse curriculum and unique style of teaching offers alternative approaches to new ways of thinking and learning.
Offering an array of courses in the arts, classics, current affairs, history, literature, mathematics, philosophy, religion and science, courses are based on carefully chosen texts representing different perspectives on the issues and questions that each class explores. Challenging entrenched opinions results in a more receptive understanding towards learning in a new way.
Unlike large classrooms in traditional universities where students are so numerous they rarely have an opportunity to participate, TMI sees the role of educator as one which enables students to evaluate and come to their own understanding.
Learning is cooperative rather than competitive. The result of this collaborative learning process is stimulating conversations exploring different perspectives. One of the methods is the reading-discussion approach.
- Instead of lectures, discussions are guided by trained leaders
- The leaders do not lecture; the text is the professor
- Students of all ages from all walks of life bring a variety of opinions resulting in stimulating conversations
Thomas More (1478-1535) was one of the great Humanist scholars of the Renaissance. He contrbuted significantly to the critical shift from medieval to the modern world by articulating and promoting, for men and women alike, a new conception of education based upon the priority of open inquiry and critical thought.
(http://www.thomasmore.qc.ca]
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