The ISI Guides to the Major Disciplines are reader-friendly introductions to the most important fields of knowledge in the liberal arts.
Written by leading scholars for both students and the general public, they will be appreciated by anyone desiring a reliable and informative tour of important subject matter.
Each title offers an historical overview of a particular discipline, explains the central ideas of each subject, and evaluates the works of thinkers whose ideas have shaped our world.
They will aid students seeking to make better decisions about their course of study as well as general readers who wish to supplement their education. All who treasure the world of ideas and liberal learning will be motivated by these original and stimulating presentations.
Top Reviews
Melvin Davis
4.0 out of 5 stars A Great ResourceReviewed in the United States on July 30, 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
A great resource for someone interested in Higher Education.
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Dan Panetti
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for all graduating high school seniorsReviewed in the United States on June 26, 2007
Format: Paperback
Truly a must-read for every graduating senior before they head off to college, this Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) book is foundational if a student wants to actually get an education during their tenure in "higher education." Henrie begins by asking why students actually go to college in the first place - for purpose will determine process; meaning that what each student hopes to achieve while in college will dictate what they do with their time, what courses and professors they select, and how they prepare themselves for the challenges which lie ahead. Henrie talks about the telos, the end result of a goal-oriented process. Similar to working out physically, if the desired end result is weight loss, a program can be specifically tailored to meet one's goals. While, if the end result is body building, the program will be an entirely different workout regimen.
Henrie argues the same is true for education - if the end result desired is a job, a student will make various choices in the educational forum to meet that goal; but if the end result desired is the proverbial liberal education, different choices are generally required. Henrie proposes that if a student wants this well-rounded education (and he makes a very good case for that being the desired result), that each student can obtain it at least to some level no matter what institution of higher education they attend if they just look for the "core curriculum" - the classics, philosophy, religion, political science, English, and history.
While most students begin to specialize and narrow their educational selections in college, Henrie makes a profound argument that every student should have as their foundation these core selections, to be built upon with their majors or specialized disciplines. Henrie gives a generic course description to identify in each of these core disciplines as well as what foundational reading selections that course should cover. Even if the student is unable to select every course from the core curriculum, the book is a wealth of knowledge of valuable resources for the lifelong learner as well.
This is one of several books in a series for students and it is the centerpiece and most important one - I think every student needs to read this book for the philosophical foundation that is shared as well as for the incredible resource list mentioned above. And, by student, I mean anyone who still loves to learn.
6 people found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Michael Pakaluk
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunningly good bookReviewed in the United States on November 24, 2010
Format: Paperback
This is a stunningly good book, filled with good sense and wisdom for guidance. My only concern about it, is that if students followed its recommendations, they might just get a good liberal education in universities other than those, such as my own, which have been deliberately established for that purpose.
HelpfulComment Report abuse
James K. Manning
1.0 out of 5 stars Not a review. Rather a question...Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2008
Format: Paperback
In the wake of "no child left behind" and what I will call the vocationalization of American education, the existence of this book gives me pause. I was an undergraduate in the 80's. The university I attended had reduced the liberal arts requirements to four three-hour survey courses designated as IDC or inter disciplinary courses. The instructors pronounced IDC as "idiocy."
We are all familiar with the Reagan administration and later a Republican Congress systematically starving secondary education in favor of a streamlined three R's curriculum.
I was surfing book reviews on Amazon, and was surprised to find this book recommended as a guide by many conservatives. The work is presented by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, an organization peopled exclusively by policy wonks of the flying monkey right wing, many Reagan appointees including Mr. Ed Meese. An arch conservative laundry list of academics and funders including, The Council for National Policy, Castle Rock Foundation, the publishers of the American Spectator, The Heritage Foundation, The Hoover Institute, Regnery Publishing (publishers of writers like Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich, and the notorious Unfit For Command which was central in the "swift boating" of distinguished Senator and decorated veteran John Kerry).
So is it wild conspiracy theory to wonder why the general population of students in public institutions have apparently been systematically denied this springboard of academic advisement to a liberal arts education, while at the same time a bevy of parochial, private, and home schoolers should be handed this book along with the proverbial secret handshake?
Grab yourself a copy of this if you want to see how the other half lives. Or try this recommendation which will save you a couple of bucks then cost you a couple of hundred on the back end. It's a fun hobby and a nice decorator item for your household.
Find a good used set of the Harvard Classics, often called "The Five Foot Shelf of Books." These were compiled by Harvard University president Charles W. Elliott and published by P.F. Collier and Son starting in 1909. They were still in print as late as 1960. Complete sets are surpsisingly easy to locate. Be sure you get the entire 51 volume set which should be accompanied by a bound lecture series and a 15-minutes-a-day reader's guide. You know where to look. Good hunting. Cheers.
3 people found this helpful
Top Reviews
Melvin Davis
4.0 out of 5 stars A Great ResourceReviewed in the United States on July 30, 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
A great resource for someone interested in Higher Education.
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Dan Panetti
VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read for all graduating high school seniorsReviewed in the United States on June 26, 2007
Format: Paperback
Truly a must-read for every graduating senior before they head off to college, this Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) book is foundational if a student wants to actually get an education during their tenure in "higher education." Henrie begins by asking why students actually go to college in the first place - for purpose will determine process; meaning that what each student hopes to achieve while in college will dictate what they do with their time, what courses and professors they select, and how they prepare themselves for the challenges which lie ahead. Henrie talks about the telos, the end result of a goal-oriented process. Similar to working out physically, if the desired end result is weight loss, a program can be specifically tailored to meet one's goals. While, if the end result is body building, the program will be an entirely different workout regimen.
Henrie argues the same is true for education - if the end result desired is a job, a student will make various choices in the educational forum to meet that goal; but if the end result desired is the proverbial liberal education, different choices are generally required. Henrie proposes that if a student wants this well-rounded education (and he makes a very good case for that being the desired result), that each student can obtain it at least to some level no matter what institution of higher education they attend if they just look for the "core curriculum" - the classics, philosophy, religion, political science, English, and history.
While most students begin to specialize and narrow their educational selections in college, Henrie makes a profound argument that every student should have as their foundation these core selections, to be built upon with their majors or specialized disciplines. Henrie gives a generic course description to identify in each of these core disciplines as well as what foundational reading selections that course should cover. Even if the student is unable to select every course from the core curriculum, the book is a wealth of knowledge of valuable resources for the lifelong learner as well.
This is one of several books in a series for students and it is the centerpiece and most important one - I think every student needs to read this book for the philosophical foundation that is shared as well as for the incredible resource list mentioned above. And, by student, I mean anyone who still loves to learn.
6 people found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Michael Pakaluk
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunningly good bookReviewed in the United States on November 24, 2010
Format: Paperback
This is a stunningly good book, filled with good sense and wisdom for guidance. My only concern about it, is that if students followed its recommendations, they might just get a good liberal education in universities other than those, such as my own, which have been deliberately established for that purpose.
HelpfulComment Report abuse
James K. Manning
1.0 out of 5 stars Not a review. Rather a question...Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2008
Format: Paperback
In the wake of "no child left behind" and what I will call the vocationalization of American education, the existence of this book gives me pause. I was an undergraduate in the 80's. The university I attended had reduced the liberal arts requirements to four three-hour survey courses designated as IDC or inter disciplinary courses. The instructors pronounced IDC as "idiocy."
We are all familiar with the Reagan administration and later a Republican Congress systematically starving secondary education in favor of a streamlined three R's curriculum.
I was surfing book reviews on Amazon, and was surprised to find this book recommended as a guide by many conservatives. The work is presented by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, an organization peopled exclusively by policy wonks of the flying monkey right wing, many Reagan appointees including Mr. Ed Meese. An arch conservative laundry list of academics and funders including, The Council for National Policy, Castle Rock Foundation, the publishers of the American Spectator, The Heritage Foundation, The Hoover Institute, Regnery Publishing (publishers of writers like Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich, and the notorious Unfit For Command which was central in the "swift boating" of distinguished Senator and decorated veteran John Kerry).
So is it wild conspiracy theory to wonder why the general population of students in public institutions have apparently been systematically denied this springboard of academic advisement to a liberal arts education, while at the same time a bevy of parochial, private, and home schoolers should be handed this book along with the proverbial secret handshake?
Grab yourself a copy of this if you want to see how the other half lives. Or try this recommendation which will save you a couple of bucks then cost you a couple of hundred on the back end. It's a fun hobby and a nice decorator item for your household.
Find a good used set of the Harvard Classics, often called "The Five Foot Shelf of Books." These were compiled by Harvard University president Charles W. Elliott and published by P.F. Collier and Son starting in 1909. They were still in print as late as 1960. Complete sets are surpsisingly easy to locate. Be sure you get the entire 51 volume set which should be accompanied by a bound lecture series and a 15-minutes-a-day reader's guide. You know where to look. Good hunting. Cheers.
3 people found this helpful
