The University of Dallas Classical Education Podcast
Welcome to The University of Dallas Classical Education Podcast. Join us as we sit down with professors, K-12 teachers, and thought leaders who are shaping the landscape of classical education. Our guests bring deep insight and practical wisdom to educators, parents, and lifelong learners alike. Whether you're a seasoned classical educator or just beginning your journey, this podcast will inform, inspire, and deepen your understanding of a tradition that seeks to cultivate virtue, wonder, and a love of truth. Hosted by Dr. Shannon Valenzuela.
The University of Dallas Classical Education Podcast
Why Literature Still Matters with Dr. Jason Baxter
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Summary
In this conversation, Shannon Valenzuela and Jason Baxter explore the profound relationship between literature, beauty, and the human experience. Jason Baxter shares insights on how immersion in literary worlds fosters depth, prudence, and a sense of the divine, emphasizing the importance of literature and the arts in cultivating the soul and a deep sense of inwardness.
Topics Covered:
- Art and literature and the communication of experience
- The importance of immersion and analysis for understanding literary texts
- The relationship between experiencing landscapes and experiencing literary texts
- The power of art and literature to close the gap between self and beauty
- Why literature matters, especially in our world today
Today's Guest:
Dr. Jason Baxter is the Director of the Center for Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College. He holds a Doctorate in Literature from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to joining Benedictine, he spent time as a visiting associate professor at Notre Dame preceded by twelve years at Wyoming Catholic College. His written works include The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis and A Beginner’s Guide to Dante’s Divine Comedy, among others, and he is currently working on an original translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Baxter has written many academic and popular articles, and he frequently makes media appearances ranging from podcasts to EWTN.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
01:54 Why Literature Still Matters
14:15 Inhabiting Worlds
23:39 Experiencing Beauty Through Literature
27:28 Finding Beauty in Sardinia
30:51 The Communion of Beauty and Art
40:28 Experiencing Dante's World
47:15 The Pilgrim Way
Episode Links:
More from Jason Baxter: https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/
University of Dallas Links:
- The Donald and Louise Cowan Center: https://udallas.edu/faith-service/centers-institutes/cowan/index.php
- Classical Education Master’s Program at the University of Dallas: udallas.edu/classical-ed
- St. Ambrose Center Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators: https://k12classical.udallas.edu/
- The Quest: Seasons 1 and 2 now streaming on Relevant Radio+ and EWTN+ and at quest.udallas.edu.
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