What is Paideia?

I have had a request to describe what paideia is. Lets see, how can I explain paideia?

Paideia is the freshman English course that every single first year student has to take. Even if you get English AP credit in high school, you have to take paideia. Every section of paideia, each class is called a section, reads the same books. Its nice to read the same books as all of the other freshman on campus because then you can talk about how much you like or dislike the books with your friends. However more often than not you over hear people complaining to one another about either the book it self or just the large amount of pages we have to read for homework. I enjoy being able to talk to my roommates about the books, especially before I start writing papers. First semester we read about seven books. During class we mainly just discuss the books. Honestly it feels much like the English classes I took in high school. Each book was different from the others. We read a Shakespeare play, a book by Martin Luther, the Odyssey, and a couple other novels. Each semester each professor gets to choose a book that only their section will read.

During second semester we have to write a 12 page research paper on whatever subject our professor chooses. The research paper is actually the only paper we will write all semester. We are supposed to do various drafts, extending over a large period of time. We will continue to read books throughout the semester although I think we are only reading 5 or 6. In general I like paideia. The class is interesting, at times. I really like my professor, which helps a lot. If you do not like the professor you get first semester- you do not get to choose whose class you are in- you are able to switch for second semester. The part that I like about paideia is the writing, simply because I feel like I am understanding what the expectations are for writing at a college level. Even though I dread writing the papers, I know that it is a good experience and is making me better. I hope that this better explains paideia. Everyone will tell you that it is horrible, but honestly its not that bad. There are definitely worse things in life. Sure, sometimes we have a lot of homework/reading but for the most part it is manageable.

I have two more days until break, and I can't wait!!! I am ready to be done with school for a week. I hope you all have a great rest of the week and a Happy Easter!-Leah