Basic Program Year 2 Spring

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

Course Description

Examine philosophical and psychological ideas about human nature and morality in this Year 2 Spring Seminar. Students will dive into Michel de Montaigne’s The Essays: A Selection, Blaise Pascal’s Pensées, Friedrich Nietzsche’s On the Genealogy of Morals, and Sigmund Freud’s The Interpretation of Dreams. In the Tutorial section of the course, students will engage in a close reading of three books of the Bible: Genesis, Job, and Matthew.

Prerequisites:

Basic Program Year 1, Year 2 Autumn and Winter

Required Texts

Montaigne, The Essays: A Selection (Penguin Classics) ISBN 978-0140446029
Pascal, Pensees (Penguin Classics) ISBN 978-0140446456
Nietzsche, On the Genealogy of Morals (Vintage Press) ISBN 978-0679724629
Freud, Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis (Liveright) ISBN 978-0871401182
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version with Apocrypha (Oxford University Press) ISBN 978-0195283808

Available Course Sections

Date & Time

Details

Format

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)

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

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)

Armed with a foundation of the Classics, we can continue our intellectual journey, driven by our relentless curiosity and passion for lifelong learning.
George Perez CER’24 (Basic Program)

What I love most about teaching at the Graham School is that it is like eating at the chef's table: there are no barriers between students and instructors. We are all peers, indeed, friends learning alongside each other.
Jennifer Lind MLA’22, Graham School instructor

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

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.