Alumni Sequence: Asian Classical Traditions Year 2 Winter

Deadline January 5, 2026
Format Online, In-Person
Tuition $565
Next Start Date January 6, 2026

Course Description

The Winter Seminar starts with a short Buddhist scripture especially foundational for Mahayana (“Greater Vehicle”) Buddhism, the Heart Sutra—which asserts that all things are “empty” of intrinsic existence or identity. Nagarjuna, a pioneering Mahayana philosopher from India, presents challenging and even mind-bending arguments in support of this idea. After Nagarjuna, we will read a commentary on the Heart Sutra written by Hakuin Ekaku, a Japanese monk credited with revitalizing Zen Buddhism in 18th-century Japan. Hakuin’s commentary is a teaching text that makes use of the iconic “koan” technique. We will close with Chomei’s Hojoki (The Ten Foot Square Hut), a 13th-century allegorical Japanese Buddhist text focusing on impermanence.

The Winter Tutorial explores the two foundational classics of Daoism—an alternative approach to politics and personal development that has a complex and contested relationship with Confucianism. At one level, the Daodejing and the Zhuangzi appear to simply reject the Confucian dual emphasis on moral virtue and constructive social projects, replacing it with an ethic of “doing nothing” laced with cynical, relativistic, and nihilistic themes. At another level, these texts ground our ordinary goals and purposes in something fathomless, in an all-pervasive lack of definition that they conceive as the marvelous “root” of well-defined reality. Daoist writing is some of the most evocative, bizarre, and funny in all of world literature, and its impact on East Asian arts and spirituality has been profound.

Prerequisites:

At least 2 years of the Basic Program Core Curriculum, Year 1 of Alumni Sequence: Asian Classical Traditions

Required Texts

Heart Sutra (PDFs will be provided)
Nagarjuna, Nagarjuna's Middle Way (Wisdom) ISBN 978-1614290506
Hakuin, Zen Words for the Heart: Hakuin's Commentary on the Heart Sutra (Shambhala) ISBN 978-1570621659
Kenko and Chomei, Essays in Idleness and Hojoki (Penguin Classics) ISBN 978-0141192109
Daodejing (Liveright) ISBN 978-1324092476
Zhuangzi: The Complete Writings ISBN 978-1624668555

Available Course Sections

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This 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 CER’02 (Basic Program)

I enjoy the interplay of the classmates and the instructors. We bring up points, we have disagreements, and we learn from each other, and the learning just goes on and on—and it makes you feel younger.
Walt Kurczewski CER’10 (Basic Program)

Guided by expert staff, and aided by students with a variety of experience and knowledge, I gained new understanding, opened myself to new points of view, and have grown intellectually.
Roberta Lee CER’22

Once you start, there is a thirst within you for more. The desire for new knowledge and understanding never ends.
Rosemarie Mitchell MLA’12

The Graham School has been a wonderful addition to my life. It is a great privilege to read and spend time with my fellow students. The Graham School faculty are all varied and excellent in different ways. What they share in common is their great breadth of knowledge and their generosity as teachers.
Trish Gerber CER’12 (Basic Program)

Here I was introduced to perspectives from the humanities and social sciences that challenged me to approach things from different angles and become more tolerant to differences. Enrolling in Graham is the best decision I ever made.
Alvaro Iriarte MLA‘23

Frequently Asked Questions

Review common questions about our courses. You can also contact us for more information.

Do we take assessments in these courses?

Graham School non-credit courses are not graded and therefore have no tests. They focus on nourishing a love of learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in topics and discussions you find interesting.

How can I best prepare for class?

Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion. While not required, we offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works: How to Read Classic Texts. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their skills.

Do I have to complete an application?

Applications are not required for our open enrollment courses.

Who is best suited to take a course at the Graham School?

Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in these topics and engaging in deep discovery with others is welcome to take part in this course.

UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions? 

Yes. Our non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors create an inclusive learning environment by encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their academic background.

What happens if I have to miss a class?

Our online classes are recorded and shared with the registered students through the Canvas site for the course. For in-person courses, you can ask a fellow student to take notes for you if you have to miss a session.

What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy?

You can find our withdrawal and cancellation policy with other registration issues here. Most drop or transfer requests can be made through your student account.

Will this course be offered online or in person?

The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course section specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.

What happens if I miss a class?

While our courses are driven by live discussions, we do record the online sessions. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording to catch up. Please note that students may only access recordings for the sections in which they are registered. In-person classes are not recorded.

I can no longer participate in a course I registered for. Can I get a refund?

If you need to drop a course, please email us at graham@learningplatform.support to process your request. When reaching out, please include your full name, the course name and the section. If you made a donation during your course purchase, please confirm if you would like the donation refunded as well.

Courses dropped before the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. Courses dropped after the first class are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. No refund will be issued for courses dropped after the first week of classes.

How do I access my course after registration?

Your course will be available on the Graham Learning Platform three weeks before the start date. You’ll log in using the same credentials you used during registration. If you need help accessing your course, check out our helpful video tutorial.

I have a question about the course registration process, who should I reach out to?

If you have a question about how to register for a course, watch the helpful videos on our registration tips page. You can also email our support team at graham@learningplatform.support. You will receive a response within 24 hours.