Featured
Supreme Court Review, 2025-26 Term
Richard Hoskins
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Deadline September 22, 2026
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Modality Online
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Tuition $580
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Next Start Date October 2, 2026
Course Description
In this class we will dig into the second piece of Kant’s groundbreaking critical project, the (comparatively brief but important) Critique of Practical Reason, pairing it several of his most important political essays and his reflection on ethics and religion in society, “Religion Within the Bounds of Reason Alone.” We will begin with the Critique, which lays out the basis of the “regulative ideas” of God, the immortality of the soul, and freedom, using structures of argument he developed for the first critique. We will also take up the core argument of his Religion Within the Bounds of Reason Alone, discussing the way in which this simultaneously argues for religious freedom and a restructured form of religion which is ethically and not theologically based. We will close by looking at a few of his most important political essays, including “What is Enlightenment” and “Perpetual Peace.” The combination will show the interconnection of Kant’s “Copernican Revolution in Thought” with a sketched similar revolution in ethical and political life. We will discuss the material through close reading of the texts. No prior experience is required. Please read Kant’s Preface and Introduction, and pp. 29-40 of the Critique for the first class.
Note: This class is part of a continuing series, but previous classes are not a prerequisite and each can be taken singly.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Required Texts
- Kant, The Critique of Practical Reason, translated by Pluhar (Hackett Classics), ISBN-13: 978-0872206175
- Kant, Religion Within the Bounds of Bare Reason (Hackett Classics, 2009), ISBN-13: 978-0872209763
- Additional readings will be provided on Canvas.
Available Course Sections
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Alvaro Iriarte MLA‘23
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Jennifer Lind MLA’22, Graham School instructor
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
