Fiction in the Geopolitics Classroom: Graham Greene's The Quiet American, Graham School Class in Paris

Deadline September 11, 2026
Modality In-Person
Tuition $795
Next Start Date September 14, 2026

Course Description

Join the Graham School in our inaugural in-person class at The John W. Boyer Center in Paris as we embark on a close reading and discussion of Graham Greene’s 1955 The Quiet American, one of the most influential political novels of the 20th century. Greene’s poignant account of the breakdown of French colonialism in Indochina and the early U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War implicitly questions the foundations of U.S. foreign policy in Southeast Asia during the Cold War era. His literary exploration of the relationship between the novel’s three protagonists intertwines the human tale with the international political story. Through imagined events and complex characters, Greene introduces readers to a pivotal historical period and raises complex theoretical questions. With uncanny political prescience, The Quiet American predicted the U.S. quagmire which had catastrophic results for everyone involved. Given the tremendous consequences on the home front and around the world, and that the U.S. clearly lost the war, our course aim is to answer the question: how did this happen? Join us in a one-week deep dive into Graham Greene’s prescient novel to gain insight into past events and lessons for our world today.

Required Texts

Graham Greene, The Quiet American. Penguin Classics, Graham Greene Centennial Edition, 2004. ISBN 978-0-14-303902-0.

Available Course Sections

Date & Time

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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

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

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 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

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

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)

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.