What is the Quadrivium?
Q: What is the Quadrivium?
A: The Quadrivium is a medieval education which led to the Master of Arts (MA) degree. It follows the Trivium in a liberal arts education and consists of four disciplines related to mathematics.
Q: What are the four disciplines that make up the Quadrivium?
A: The four disciplines that make up the Quadrivium are Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Astronomy.
Q: In what language was teaching done during this time period?
A: During this time period, teaching was done in Latin which educated pupils learnt at school or from a private tutor. Latin was also used as the lingua franca (universal language) of mediaeval Europe.
Q: Who could take part in universities during this time period?
A: During this time period, only boys were allowed to take part in universities since it was where quadrivium was taught. Girls had to receive their education at home if they wanted any form of schooling.
Q: How has liberal arts changed since then?
A: Since then, modern forms of liberal arts have been established in countries such as the United States where both sexes are taught although there are still some single-sex institutions around today.
Q: What did Plato outline for educational curriculum?
A: Plato outlined a curriculum consisting of primary and secondary parts with his work The Republic; with quadrivium being part of the secondary section.
Q: Was it possible to read anything other than Latin during this time period?
A: No, during this time period it was not possible to read anything other than Latin; even religious texts such as Bible could only be read in Latin.
