Our Courses
Via Classica offers a rich programme of live online classes in literature, writing, history, Christian civilisation, logic and philosophy. The courses outlined below represent our broader programme of study, from which our offerings are drawn each semester. All our courses are designed within the classical tradition to cultivate knowledge, reason, eloquence, wisdom and virtue.
Semester One 2027 course offerings will be announced and enrolments will open in November 2026.
Australian Progymnasmata
A Classical Approach to Writing
The Australian Progymnasmata is Via Classica’s progressive writing programme, based upon the ancient progymnasmata — a sequence of composition exercises developed in the classical tradition to prepare students for increasingly sophisticated writing and rhetoric.
Rather than teaching writing as a collection of isolated skills, each course builds upon those that come before it. Students learn to narrate clearly, develop and order arguments, use evidence effectively, employ rhetorical techniques, and express increasingly complex ideas with clarity and eloquence.
Grammar
Building the foundations of composition
Fables → Narrative → Chreia & Proverb
At this stage, students learn to retell, organise and elaborate material, developing command of sentences, paragraphs, narrative and the beginnings of rhetorical technique.
Logic
Developing argument and judgement
Refutation & Confirmation → Commonplace → Encomium & Vituperation → Comparison → Ethopoeia
Here the exercises become increasingly concerned with argument, evidence, judgement, character and perspective. Students move beyond simply composing well to learning how to reason through writing.
Rhetoric
Towards mature and eloquent expression
Description
First offered in Semester One, 2027
At the Rhetoric stage, students draw upon the skills developed throughout the earlier exercises, bringing together structure, reasoning, style and rhetorical technique in increasingly sophisticated compositions.
The final courses in the series will be:
Thesis — Semester Two, 2027
Law — Semester One, 2028
Together, these complete the traditional progression of the progymnasmata, moving students towards mature rhetorical argument.
Each Australian Progymnasmata course is taught over one semester and is generally offered once each year. The courses form a progressive sequence, with each building upon skills developed in the earlier exercises.
Students do not necessarily need to begin with Fables. Entry into the sequence is determined by a student’s age, writing experience and readiness, and older students may enter at a later point in the programme. Where needed, Via Classica can advise families on the most appropriate course for their child.
History
Understanding the Past, Inheriting a Civilisation
History at Via Classica draws students into the story of Christian and Western civilisation, cultivating an appreciation of the past alongside wisdom and virtue. Through historical narratives and primary sources, students encounter the people, events and ideas that have shaped their inheritance — from Jerusalem, Athens and Rome to Australia’s place within the Western tradition.
Australian History
Logic Level
Australia's Story: Ancient Past to Modern Nation
Our Australian History sequence traces Australia’s story from its ancient past to the modern nation, exploring its place within the wider inheritance of Christianity and Western civilisation.
Students encounter significant people and events including Aboriginal Australia, Captain Cook and the First Fleet, the gold rushes and Eureka Stockade, Federation, the World Wars, and the development of modern Australia.
This four-semester Logic Level sequence is offered every two years, commencing again in Semester One 2027 with Pre-History to Early Settlement.
Foundations of Christendom
Logic Level
The Rise and Development of Christian Civilisation
Foundations of Christendom traces the growth of Christianity from the early Church through the ancient and medieval worlds.
Students encounter the people, events and ideas that shaped Christendom — including the Roman Empire, the Church Fathers and great councils, the conversion of peoples and kingdoms, monasticism, and the development of Christian culture and institutions.
Through this study, students develop an understanding and appreciation of Christianity’s profound influence upon Western civilisation.
This three-semester Logic Level sequence explores the development of Christendom across the ancient and medieval worlds.
Literature
Literature at Via Classica invites students into the great stories and enduring works of the Western literary tradition. Through attentive reading and thoughtful discussion, they explore character, virtue, language, and the great questions of human experience, growing in literary understanding and in a lifelong appreciation of good literature.
Logic Level
Learning to Read with Attention and Judgement
Rhetoric Level
Reading with Wisdom and Judgement
Students learn to read closely and actively, drawing upon Mortimer Adler’s approach in How to Read a Book. They annotate the text directly, questioning, observing and making connections as they read. Through Socratic discussion, students explore character, theme and the author’s ideas, supporting their interpretations with evidence from the text. They consider the enduring truths and questions a work reveals about human nature, virtue and the human condition, developing the habits of thoughtful and discerning readers.
Logic Level Literature is offered each semester, with students studying two works of literature alongside selected poetry for study and recitation.
Students continue the practices of close reading, direct annotation and Socratic discussion, engaging with increasingly complex works and examining them with greater depth. While the Logic student is learning how to read well, the Rhetoric student increasingly asks: How ought I to judge what I have read? Students explore character, theme and the author’s ideas, making deeper connections and forming sound judgements about the enduring questions a work raises concerning human nature, virtue and the human condition. They learn not only to discern what is true, good and beautiful, but to articulate their understanding with clarity and eloquence.
Rhetoric Level Literature is offered each semester, with students undertaking an in-depth study of one major work alongside selected poetry for study and recitation.
Latin
The Language of the Western Tradition
Latin has formed an important part of the intellectual, literary and Christian inheritance of Western civilisation. Via Classica has previously offered Latin courses introducing students to the language through the study of vocabulary, grammar, translation and classical texts.
Latin has been offered by Via Classica in previous years but is not currently scheduled for 2027. Future offerings will depend upon teacher availability and student interest.
Parent Handbook
Partnering with Families in Education
Via Classica works in partnership with parents, recognising them as the primary educators of their children. Our Parent Handbook sets out our educational philosophy and pedagogical approach, together with the expectations that guide our classes and community.
Via Classica provides online educational courses and is not a registered Australian school.
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