Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults
Discover the Great Books
Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults
Expand your intellectual horizons and delve into great works of literature, philosophy, and social thought at the University of Chicago.
Our Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults will immerse you in the timeless texts that shape our world, including works by Aristotle, Shakespeare, and Descartes.
The program provides you with the opportunity to explore the “great books” without the burdens of a traditional course experience. While there are readings that need to be completed each week, the program has no prerequisites, tests, papers, or grades. Instead, it focuses on providing curious learners from all walks of life a chance for deep reflection and respectful conversation.
Basic Program Benefits
- Form close connections with other intellectually curious adults who share your passion for learning.
- Expand your intellectual horizons by immersing yourself in the study of the great books, including Plato, Plutarch, and Thucydides, among others.
- Foster critical thinking and analytical skills by developing close reading skills and engaging in dynamic discussions.
- Learn in small groups from experienced instructors skilled in fostering transformative educational experiences.
- Choose from in-person or synchronous online classes offered at times that will fit your schedule.
- Earn a non-credit certificate upon completion of the four-year program, which confers UChicago alumni status.
- Continue to further enrich yourself after completing the program through additional lifelong learning opportunities, including travel study programs and Basic Program Alumni course offerings.
“The instructors are just amazing. They are committed, incredibly knowledgeable, and generous-spirited.”
Hope Sheffield Basic Program Alumna
“This program has been so valuable to me. The instructors are truly committed; you make new friends and get new views. It’s been a real plus in my life.”
Virginia Tobiason Basic Program alumna
Learning Experience
The Basic Program is designed to welcome individuals with a wide range of educational and professional backgrounds.
Each cohort of lifelong learners brings a wealth of experiences and unique points of view into class discussions. By joining the program, you gain access to:
Comprehensive Curriculum
Our carefully curated four-year curriculum covers influential works from ancient to modern times. Experience the transformational power of reading and discussing the likes of Plato, Sophocles, Euclid, and more, as you dive deep into the ideas that have shaped human history. The moral, social, and political questions in these books are strikingly relevant when applied to contemporary issues.
For new students entering the Basic Program, we recommend considering enrolling in our courses on How to Discuss Classic Texts and How to Read Classic Texts to better prepare for participation.
Dedicated Instructors
Our instructors provide guidance and insight, but they’re not in the class to tell you what to think. Rather, they equip you to think through topics for yourself with logical rigor and openness to different perspectives. Each week, you will engage in lively conversations, challenge your own assumptions, and refine your thoughts through insightful discussions with your peers and instructors.
Vibrant Community of Learners
Join a diverse community of intellectually curious individuals who are passionate about exploring the fundamental questions of human existence. Our program attracts a wide range of participants, including professionals, lifelong learners, and those seeking personal enrichment. Immerse yourself in an inclusive and collaborative environment that encourages intellectual growth and fosters friendships that extend beyond the classroom.
Learn More About the Basic Program
For further information about this program, we to watch this short Basic Program primer video by. Cyril O. Houle Chair of the Basic Program Noah Chafets.
What is a “great book”? A book that has been impactful, that is well written, and that is in many ways timeless. We read Plato because we are human beings dealing with the fundamental ideas of humanity like happiness, virtue, and justice, and even though society has changed, these fundamental topics have not.
Zoë Eisenman Director of Academics and Basic Program instructor
About the University of Chicago
For more than 125 years, the University of Chicago has forged its own path. This has led to new schools of thought and a transformative education for students, and laid the groundwork for breakthroughs across the sciences, medicine, economics, law, business, history, culture, the arts, and humanistic inquiry.
We shape and define fields
UChicago scholars are driven by intellectual debate and a search for new evidence.
We believe freedom of expression is fundamental
Free and open discourse is the foundation of a transformative education and world-changing research.
We tackle the world’s most pressing issues
Through research, discovery, and community partnerships, UChicago scholars and students are tackling complex problems—from solving crime at scale to combating climate change.
About the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies
The Graham School brings the best of what the University of Chicago offers together in one place for accomplished professionals and ambitious lifelong learners. We offer a seamless learning experience that combines flexibility with rigor. The programs and courses engage learners from all walks of life and from all around the world in UChicago’s distinctive educational experience.
