Summer Courses

Great Books Getaway

June 9 - 13, 2025
Taught by Joshua Gibbs

Instead of attending a huge conference this summer, consider attending a cozy five-day retreat for humanities teachers that offers both rest and deep focus on what humanities teachers actually do—teach classical texts.

Many teachers leave big conferences saying that the dense schedule of lectures felt like “drinking from a firehose.” While such a claim is humble on the part of the teacher, no one actually wants to drink from a firehose. You leave thirsty and confused.

At the end of the school year, teachers need rest and renewal. They want ideas, plans, counsel, and guidance to take back to their classrooms in the fall—but they also want leisure and room to breathe. They want time and space to consider the year that’s finished and what changes they want to make in the year to come.

From June 9-13, The Classical Teaching Institute is pleased to offer the Great Book Getaway at The Ambrose School in Meridian, ID. The Great Books Getaway revolves around the unhurried reading and consideration of classic texts. Over the course of five days, Joshua Gibbs will offer attendees a slow, unwinding picture of what it means to teach classic literature in a truly humane manner. The “menu” for the inaugural getaway will include Pride & Prejudice, The Social Contract, Paradise Lost, and James Joyce’s Dubliners.

At the end of the Great Books Getaway, participants will take home a clear picture of what it looks like to use lecture, discussion, assessment, catechisms, and personal stories to lead students through a classic text.

  • The Great Books Getaway is designed to be applicable for teachers or homeschoolers who:

    • Teach classic literature, philosophy, theology, or history to high school students using classic texts.

    • Teach elementary school but would like to become high school teachers.

    • Teach college but would like to become high school teachers.

  • The 2025 Great Books Getaway will include Pride & Prejudice, The Social Contract, Paradise Lost, and James Joyce’s Dubliners.

    As with all TCTI courses, the Getaway uses a “show, don’t tell” model in which attendees are led through classic texts using readings, lectures, questions, discussions, exercises, and assignments that have been tested & tried for many years in a classical classroom.

    Attendees will have the opportunity to observe a wide variety of pedagogical techniques and to ask questions about the methods with which the course was taught.

    Please note that texts do not need to be read in advance - attendees are welcome to experience the works being taught in the same manner as a typical student.

  • This summer course will:

    • Show you all the pedagogical tools open to a literature teacher: lecture, assessment, Socratic discussion (and other kinds of discussions), personal stories which illustrate the truths of class texts, dynamic reading, and more.

    • Show you how to introduce a book to students.

    • Show you how to assess a student’s understanding of a classic text.

    • Show you how to slowly move your students through a classic text, day by day.

    • Provide a model for teaching any classic text that can be replicated in your own classroom.

    • Let you experience for yourself the things you want students of classic literature to experience.

  • Sunday, June 8

    • Arrive in Boise

    • 7:00 - 10:00 PM | Reception at the Gibbs’ home (optional)

    Monday, June 9

    • 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Sessions at The Ambrose School: Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice

    • 8:00 PM | Move night: Whit Stillman’s Metropolitan (1990)

    Tuesday, June 10

    • 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Sessions at The Ambrose School: Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Social Contract

    • 5:30 PM | Dinner at the Gibbs’ home

    Wednesday, June 11

    • 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Sessions at The Ambrose School: John Milton’s Paradise Lost

    Thursday, June 12

    • 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Sessions at The Ambrose School: James Joyce’s Dubliners

    • 8:00 PM | Move night: John Huston’s The Dead (1987)

    Friday, June 13

    • 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Sessions at The Ambrose School: Discussions about Pedagogy & Assessment

    • 5:30 PM | Dinner at the Gibbs’ home

    Note about meals:

    • Breakfast is not provided (please eat at your hotel).

    • Coffee and lunch are provided at The Ambrose School.

    • Dinner is provided on two nights. On the other nights, dinner will be on your own or in groups - a list of recommendations and sign-up will be provided.

  • The course fee for the Great Books Getaway is TBD. This includes:

    • Five days of instruction and discussion (8:30 AM - 3:30 PM)

    • Daily boxed lunch and coffee

    • Hors d’oeuvres reception (Sunday) and two dinners (Tuesday and Friday)

  • Lunch and two dinners are provided during the course of the retreat. Please see the course schedule for full details.

  • Retreat participants are welcome to select their own lodging, but you may find the following list helpful:

    SpringHill Suites - Boise West / Eagle
    • 2.2 miles from The Ambrose School (closest hotel)
    • Provides breakfast
    • Free parking

    My Place Hotel - Boise / Meridian
    • 3.9 miles from The Ambrose School
    • Least expensive local option
    • Low cost breakfast
    • Free parking

    Homewood Suites - Eagle Boise
    • 3.5 miles from The Ambrose School
    • Provides breakfast
    • Free parking

  • General familiarity with the books is helpful, but they do not need to be read in entirety in advance - attendees are welcome to experience the works being taught in the same manner as a typical student.

About Summer Courses

All summer courses except the Capstone Travel Course in Europe are held on the campus of The Ambrose School in Meridian, ID. Haven’t been to Boise before? Summer courses end at 3:00 PM each afternoon, and it’s easy to add a number of enjoyable local activities and experiences! Visit this page for some ideas about how to make the most out of your time in the area.

  • See the course description for cost. Lodging, transportation, and some meals are the responsibility of the attendee.

  • Attendees are expected to arrive in Meridian by Sunday evening (a reception is optional for those who are able to attend) and will conclude Friday afternoon or evening. See course details for a more details schedule.

  • Retreat participants are welcome to select their own lodging, but you may find the following list helpful:

    SpringHill Suites - Boise West / Eagle
    • 2.2 miles from The Ambrose School (closest hotel)
    • Provides breakfast
    • Free parking

    My Place Hotel - Boise / Meridian
    • 3.9 miles from The Ambrose School
    • Least expensive local option
    • Low cost breakfast
    • Free parking

    Homewood Suites - Eagle Boise
    • 3.5 miles from The Ambrose School
    • Provides breakfast
    • Free parking

  • Please see the Course Schedule for meal details.

  • All summer courses except for “Leading Class Trips to Europe” are held on the campus of The Ambrose School in Meridian, ID. The nearest airport is the Boise Airport (BOI), which is located about 25 minutes away from the school. An Uber ride from the airport to the school is approximately $25.

    If you wish to experience local attractions such as whitewater rafting, hiking, or fishing, we recommend renting a car.