Class, Classics, & the Classroom: A Short History of School

Summary

This video delves into the etymology and history of education, tracing its roots from Ancient Greece and Rome to the modern day. It explores how the words we use in education come from Latin, Greek, and Germanic origins, shedding light on their cultural significance. The script discusses the role of education in shaping societal values and highlights how ancient systems like Athens' private schooling and Roman rhetoric influenced Western educational practices. It also touches on medieval education, the rise of universities, and the growing importance of accessible learning in today's world, particularly through platforms like YouTube.

Takeaways

• 😀 Education comes from the Latin roots 'ex' meaning 'out of' and 'ducere' meaning 'to lead', literally meaning 'to lead out of', highlighting the transformative nature of education.
• 😀 The history of education is tied to the history of civilization, as it serves to perpetuate cultural values and knowledge across generations.
• 😀 Education reflects societal values, and the word 'learn' comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *leis-, meaning 'track or furrow', implying that learning is a process of following a track or gaining experience.
• 😀 In Ancient Greece, education in Athens was largely focused on preparing young men for civic life, emphasizing oratory, ethics, and physical education, though it was limited to citizen males.
• 😀 In Ancient Greece, different schools specialized in physical education, music, and literature, and the role of the slave 'paidagogos' (child leading) gave rise to the words pedagogue and pedagogy.
• 😀 Greek and Roman educational systems influenced the development of liberal arts education, which emphasized skills needed for free citizens, not slaves.
• 😀 The word 'school' comes from Greek 'skhole', meaning 'leisure', reflecting that education was often only available to those with the time and means to attend, often at the expense of a lower class of workers.
• 😀 In Roman education, girls were often educated, and Roman schooling was divided into three levels: basic education, grammar and literature, and rhetoric, though girls did not progress to rhetoric.
• 😀 Many educational terms like 'teach', 'student', 'tutor', and 'class' come from Greek and Latin, each reflecting the roles and processes involved in learning and teaching.
• 😀 The word 'university' derives from the Latin 'universitas', meaning a guild or collective of teachers and students, originally focused on protecting their interests and maintaining the quality of education.
• 😀 Modern education faces similar challenges to its medieval roots, such as rising tuition fees and accessibility issues, but educational YouTubers and other online platforms are helping to make learning more accessible to all.

Q & A

What is the literal meaning of the word 'education' in Latin?

The word 'education' comes from the Latin 'educare,' which means 'to bring up or rear a child,' and is derived from 'ex-' meaning 'out of' and 'ducere' meaning 'to lead.' Therefore, education literally means 'to lead out of.'

How does the etymology of 'learn' reflect the concept of gaining experience?

The word 'learn' is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root '*leis-' meaning 'track or furrow,' implying that learning is like gaining experience by following a path or track.

What is the origin of the word 'curriculum,' and what does it signify?

The word 'curriculum' comes from the Proto-Indo-European root '*kers-' meaning 'run.' It signifies a 'course' or 'running,' reflecting a structured path or journey in education.

How was education structured in Ancient Greece, particularly in Athens?

In Ancient Athens, education was designed to prepare young men for civic life, focusing on subjects like oratory, ethics, and physical education. It was not state-funded but was provided through private tutors. The education system included different schools for physical education, music, and literacy.

What role did women and slaves have in the Athenian educational system?

Women and slaves were excluded from Athenian formal education. Education was limited to male citizens, who were expected to participate in democratic life.

What is the significance of the term 'pedagogy' in relation to Greek education?

The term 'pedagogy' comes from the Greek word 'paidagogos,' which referred to a slave who accompanied children to school. While the pedagogue did not teach, the term evolved to refer to the theory and practice of teaching.

How did Roman education differ from Greek education in terms of subjects and structure?

Roman education was heavily focused on rhetoric and oratory, which were important in public life. Unlike the Greeks, who emphasized a broader range of subjects including physical education, Romans did not prioritize physical education or music in the same way.

What does the word 'liberal arts' signify in the context of Roman education?

In Roman times, 'liberal arts' referred to education fit for freeborn citizens, as opposed to slaves. The term 'liberalis' in Latin means 'free,' highlighting that this type of education was intended for those who were not bound by servitude.

What was the significance of the term 'school' in both Greek and Roman societies?

In Greek, the word 'skhole' originally meant 'leisure,' implying that only those with leisure time, i.e., the wealthy, could attend school. Similarly, in Roman society, 'ludus' referred to 'play' or 'diversion,' again emphasizing that education was primarily accessible to the leisure class.

How did the medieval educational system differ from that of Ancient Greece and Rome?

Medieval education was primarily church-based, focused on preparing individuals for religious life and the afterlife, rather than for civic engagement. The medieval system emphasized textual study in Latin and the seven liberal arts, which included subjects like grammar, rhetoric, and logic.

How did the modern university evolve from medieval institutions of learning?

The modern university evolved from medieval cathedral schools and was shaped by student and teacher guilds that emerged in cities like Bologna, Paris, and Oxford. These institutions were formed to meet the growing demand for education and became self-regulating, eventually leading to the establishment of the university system.

What is the connection between classical education and the Renaissance?

During the Renaissance, there was a 'rediscovery' of Ancient Greek and Roman culture, which was referred to as 'classical.' This led to a return to classical education, focusing on languages like Latin and Greek, as well as the humanities, in contrast to the religious education of the medieval period.