Starting Points Syllabus: World View Primer

In this comprehensive, introductory course to worldviews, students will learn to build a Biblical worldview, identify literature based on a biblical worldview, speak the biblical worldview into culture and lean about the founding of modern America upon a biblical worldview. Writing, analysis, outlines, short answer, paragraph plot summary and fill-in-the blank answers are all employed in this workbook, among other types of questions, focusing on developing the student's mental ability to seek out the core beliefs presented through media and culture. Utilizing popular movies (The Wizard of Oz and It's a Wonderful Life), classic literature (Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) and apologetic material (Mere Christianity, Know What You Believe, Answers for Difficult Days) students learn reading comprehension, analyse different worldviews according to a Christian view and study topics on ethics, man, history, devil, and more. 479 pages, softcover. Recommended for Jr. or Sr. High school students, or as a two-year course for 6th, 7th or 8th graders.

The hour I peered inside David Quine’s new worldview course was the same hour I was certain I wanted to use it with my daughter Yolanda. It looked wonderful. We already had half the course’s books in our home library, and I was happy Mr. Quine had created a syllabus to bring their ideas to light. Starting Points is the syllabus—the main book that pulls together a splendid selection of living books (books alive with ideas). Starting Points is a thick book with quotes, questions, outlines, and plenty of space where the student records his notes, narrations, and essays. Mr. Quine has a remarkable way of gently guiding the student into critical thinking. Step by step, the daily assignments ease the student into examining ideas from the standpoint of the Bible—which is so very necessary for this “crooked” generation. Therefore, before you usher in a weightier worldview course, I highly recommend using this enjoyable and empowering one to start.

From the supplemental materials list, Paul Little’s book provides an overview of the basic doctrines of historical Christianity. Three stories from The Chronicles of Narnia invite thinking along allegorical lines. The film It’s a Wonderful Life offers more symbolism and the examination of the worldviews of the characters and authors. The student goes on to make a comparison of the humanist and biblical perspective of man’s sinful nature with the help of The Deadliest Monster, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Frankenstein. The Christian foundations of American history round out the course. Upon completion, the student receives three credits (Bible, Literature, History).

No answer key is needed. As Yolanda’s teacher, I’ve familiarized myself with the books so that when I’ve read over her answers and essays, I could see that she has understood the gist of it. Those students accustomed to putting what they read in their own words (by Charlotte Mason’s marvelously practical method of narration) will be the most comfortable with Starting Points. Yet students new to this essay-style of writing will be helped by Mr. Quine’s leading questions. They will apply themselves without feeling overwhelmed. And they will work diligently without tedium.

What a joy to hear Yolanda confess, “It is one of the best courses I’ve ever taken.”

For junior high or high school.

—Karen

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Susan (Ohio), October 20, 2009

I just happened to notice that Starting Points didn't have any 5-star reviews yet, so I thought I'd better speak up. We are using it this year with my 9th-grade-son, and we absolutely love it! (NO prep time required, by the way.) My son really enjoys doing it, and it dovetails with all the things he's interested in, like theology and philosophy. I can understand that not every child has these same interests, and I am not even sure if my other children will enjoy using this when they are old enough. But for a child who is interested in theology, history, apologetics, philosophy, and so on--Starting Points is fabulous!

Reviewed by Leslie Strout (Nashua, NH), February 26, 2009

So far I have had 2 of my children use Starting Points, and it has proven a love/hate relationship. My oldest loved the curriculum and continued to do the next 2 years of the Cornerstone program. My second just didn't "get it" and other than the doctrine section hated the program. I think it is a great program for grades 10 and up, but you should plan to take it slowly. I cannot say slowly with enough emphasis. It is a lot to absorb. Also, we disagreed with many ideas in the final section on US history. If I use it with my other kids, we will skip this section. I do wish there were a TE available to help in the checking and discussion of the material. A course on World Views is a must for HS and this one does a good job.

Reviewed by Kelly Berg (Forest, VA), September 12, 2008

Not as easy to use as I thought it would be, I don't think I would use it for middle school age.

Reviewed by Karen Luse (El Paso, TX), September 14, 2007

I have started using this with my 8th grade daughter. It is giving us a great way to talk about our Christian world view and to examine why we believe what we believe. The first supplemental reading assignment was a bit difficult for her to follow but the others have not been that way. We are going to complete it over two years and at that pace it is not too heavy of a load for either her or I to complete along with her other basic subjects. The curriculum also teaches note taking from the supplemental resources in an easy to use format.

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