Alumni Sequence: The Modern Tradition Year 1 Spring

Deadline March 17, 2026
Format In-Person, Online
Tuition $565
Next Start Date March 24, 2026

Course Description

In this quarter we turn to consider some of the deep contradictions and tensions within modern society, and specifically those which attend the rise of ethnic and racial diversity, the persistence of racism, the movement toward democratic inclusion, and emergence of “mass culture,” first through the seminal essays of DuBois, then in the controversial , conservative manifesto of Ortega y Gassett, and finally through some of the greatest fiction of the twentieth century, complemented throughout with a dive into modern poetry and consideration of the poetics of difficult reading.

Prerequisites:

At least 2 years of the Basic Program, Year 1 Autumn and Winter of Alumni Sequence: The Modern Tradition

Required Texts

Required texts:
Achebe, Things Fall Apart (Penguin Books) 978-0385474542
Faulkner, Go Down, Moses (Vintage Books) 978-0679732174
DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk (Yale University Press) 978-0300195828
Ortega, Revolt of the Masses (W. W. Norton & Company) 978-0393310955
Conrad, Heart of Darkness (Penguin Books) 978-0143106586

Available Course Sections

Date & Time

Details

Format

I think that, at its best, learning takes place within a community. A community that is committed to intellectual rigor and discussion, a community that is led by experts. For me and I hope for you, the Graham School has been just such a community, I cannot imagine my adult life without it.
Kate Coleman MBA’78, MLA’98

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)

There’s nothing better than to read with a group of people and share in rational discourse about great ideas, and it’s even better to do it with an instructor as your guide in the conversation.
Jeffrey Dougherty CER ’23 (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

In our increasingly siloed, stridently opinionated world, Graham’s commitment to encouraging civil discourse and attracting students of distinct and varied backgrounds and viewpoints has made the classes I’ve taken revelatory.
Gary Shapiro CER ‘19

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.