MOS MAIORUM Is In

Out with the term “specials” when lumping together indispensable academic subjects taught alongside Liberty’s daily, elementary classrooms. That was the gist of an impassioned faculty appeal, last year, at a meeting of the school’s Board of Directors.

 

Inattentively applying the platitude “specials” to conflate the deepest roots of intellectual tradition – art, music, physical education, Latin, etc., – demeans the profundity of core classical disciplines. A more-fitting alternative should be preferred, it was explained, especially by an excellent school like ours.  

 

A few weeks of scholarly research and faculty consultation led us to mos maiorum. In the days of ancient Rome, this was a widely used, rather important term meaning “in the tradition of our ancestors.” CLICK HERE for depth (use your search engine’s translation button, if you don’t read Italian).    

 

In mos maiorum subjects, Liberty students inherit ideas and skills refined by their intellectual forebears, preserved, tested by time. LCS’s mos maiorum curriculum is, in fact, similar to the prerequisites olden-Roman youngsters were expected to master before pursuing advanced studies.

 

Reviving the ancient label better honors proven, classical teaching strategies toward cross-curricular coordination. Think of mos maiorum courses as the hub from which the instructional spokes of LCS radiate; or, those established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. Since the start of the school year, “specials” has become officially verboten. 

 

Here onward, mos maiorum is in. Mos maiorum lessons embolden our students with an armor of light, direct them in proper conduct; they inspire them to know the times they are in, to be awake and prepared for that fateful hour they do not expect, yet know will be at hand.