• Deadline September 29, 2026
  • Modality In-Person
  • Tuition $540
  • Next Start Date October 6, 2026

Course Description

“Life isn’t about finding yourself or finding anything,” Bob Dylan once said. “Life is about creating yourself and creating things.” Dylan’s revolutionary approach to creating music, and his life-long project of self-invention and re-invention, left an indelible impact on 20th-century America, powering waves of social change. He stands as a pivotal, often inscrutable, figure at the heart of the American story. Join Greg Kot (“Sound Opinions” co-host and former Chicago Tribune music critic) and Nora Titone (UChicago Parrhesia Program for Public Thought and Discourse)to analyze the life and art of the street poet who won a Nobel Prize; explore how American history and literature shaped the man and his music; and understand in turn how Dylan himself transformed the country that made him. The class will look at the people and events influencing the artist, the contemporaries who challenged and motivated him, and the new artists he inspired. Course materials will include playlists, music reviews, and excerpts from Kot’s current book project.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Required Texts

Required Texts:

  • The Philosophy of Modern Song by Bob Dylan, ISBN-13: 978-1451648706
  • Chronicles: Volume One by Bob Dylan, ISBN-13 978-0743244589
  • Talkin’ Greenwich Village: The Heady Rise and Slow Fall of America’s Bohemian Capital by David Browne, ISBN-13: 978-0306827631
  • After the Flood: Inside Bob Dylan's Memory Palace by Robert Polito, ISBN: 978-0871402936

Available Course Sections

Date & Time
Details
Modality
W

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)
M

Exploring great books and new ideas with like-minded students and engaging instructors is a great gift.

Martin J. Friedman CER'20

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

Rosemarie Mitchell MLA’12
T

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)
J

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)

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

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.

Where have Graham School programs been featured?

Graham School programs have received national and international attention, with coverage in Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, The Atlantic, and other leading publications.

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