«DE RATIONE STUDII» ERASMUS OF ROTTERDAM ON THE METHODS OF TEACHING CLASSICAL LITERATURE

Abstract

Introduction: This publication is a Russian translation of the treatise of the Dutch humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam «On the method of study, as well as reading and interpreting of the authors» (1512). The treatise was compiled for the new grammar school of St. Paul in London, but became widely known in the European humanistic environment. To identify and adequately interpret the pedagogical ideas of Erasmus specialists in the history of pedagogy should refer directly to his writings. However, Russian historiography still have neither a verified translation of the treatise, nor the studies devoted to it. Materials and methods: The basis for this translation from the original was the latest critical edition of the source in the Amsterdam collection of the Latin Erasmus’ writings; the translation was checked with a modern English translation by B. McGregor in Collected Works of Erasmus. When compiling the comment, the researches drew upon the explanatory notes made by J.C.Margolin in the edition of Erasmus’ Opera omnia. The traditional methods of translation, historical-philological criticism and hermeneutical interpretation of the source have been used as the main research tool in the issue. The paradigm-pedagogical approach served as an important methodological guideline for the authors. Results: In accordance with the Renaissance tradition of the revival of the ancient heritage Erasmus considers the study of classical literature to be the basis of education in general. The humanist develops a two-level curriculum, offers recommendations for choosing and training of teachers, gives various methodological advice to a teacher for delivering classes in grammar, rhetoric, reading and interpretation of Latin and ancient Greek authors. Discussion and Conclusions: The provisions of the Erasmus of Rotterdam's treatise «On the method of study» are of an applied nature. They were in demand in the school audience in many European countries in the Modern Age, which led to the popularity of his works. Nowadays his recommendations also have not lost relevance and under the name of «interactive methods» they can be successfully applied (and are being applied) in teaching of both ancient classical and foreign languages. More broadly, Erasmus' ideas allow us to identify the specifics of the pedagogical concept of the Northern Renaissance and the enlightenment reform of education and society as a whole.