Immerse Yourself in the Great Books
Explore timeless works of literature, philosophy, history, and social thought.
At the University of Chicago Graham School, students receive valuable guidance from faculty and instructors, as well as peers, as they delve into philosophical texts and participate in lively discussions with fellow lifelong learners.
Our Master of Liberal Arts and Basic Program of Liberal Education both include courses designed for students who want to engage deeply with the philosophical foundations of humanity and society. The curriculum of our Open Enrollment courses, meanwhile, may examine a particular philosopher or even a single text. In any of these formats, you can discover learning experiences that have a dramatic impact on the way you think about the world around you and your own life.
Spotlight Programs
Grow as a Thinker and Leader
Elevate your critical thinking and leadership through advanced study in the liberal arts.
All Philosophy Courses
Why Study Philosophy?
The word “philosophy” means the “love of wisdom” in Ancient Greek, and engaging with this discipline provides a foundation for engaging with any other. Whether you are studying the major schools of thought that formed the basis for the traditions of Chinese religion or reading modern works of analytic philosophy, you will be challenged to apply reason to ideas at the heart of the human experience.
You will see the impact that philosophical ideas have had across all areas of human endeavor, inspiring literature and informing the pioneering work of major thinkers in other disciplines.
Philosophy Instructors
Lin Atnip
Basic Program Instructor
Fred Beuttler
Lecturer, Master of Liberal Arts Program
Noah Chafets
Cyril O. Houle Chair of the Basic Program
Amy Thomas Elder
Claudia Traudt Distinguished Instructor in the Basic Program
Charles Elder
Basic Program Instructor
Clare Pearson
Basic Program Instructor
Reading, literature, and philosophy were my first loves and all things the Graham School does so spectacularly well.
Don Phillips AM ’86, CER ’17
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the Graham School’s philosophy offerings.
Will I be able to keep up with the reading and discussion in a philosophy course?
Graham School courses are designed to be accessible to people with a wide range of backgrounds. While you will be expected to complete the assigned reading each week and come to class ready for discussion, you will have plenty of support. Your instructor will provide guidance to help you understand complicated language and concepts. As part of a learning community, you will engage in open discussions with your peers, sharing your individual perspectives as you work together to consider the meaning and implications of the assigned texts.
Are there any resources to help me prepare for a philosophy course from the Graham School?
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.
What topics or themes are covered in these courses?
Philosophy courses from the Graham School cover a wide range of topics. Courses may center on the works of influential thinkers from Plato to Wittgenstein, examine the history of Eastern philosophy, or introduce the foundations of metaphysics. Check our current course offerings for details.
How can studying philosophy help me think more critically?
Philosophy cultivates critical thinking skills by raising questions about fundamental concepts and challenging beliefs and assumptions. The study of philosophy develops your skills in thinking through problems logically and identifying the flaws in arguments.
What is the teaching approach of the philosophy instructors?
The primary mode of instruction is a Socratic seminar, in which students come to class having carefully read an assigned text and prepared to engage in a wide-ranging discussion. Instructors will encourage you to converse with your peers, working together to make sense of the reading assignments.
UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions?
Yes. These non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors encourage all students to participate, regardless of their educational background, creating an inclusive learning environment with a collegial atmosphere.
Are these offerings online or in person?
The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.
Do I have to complete an application?
No application is required for Basic Program courses or open enrollment courses. There is a required application for the Master of Liberal Arts.
Philosophy News
Classic Texts, Contemporary World: A New Initiative Bridges Past and Present
Bridging centuries of insight to understand our changing world.
Free Men and Natural Slaves in Homer’s ‘Iliad’ and Aristotle’s ‘Politics’
This lecture suggested that Achilles’ choices in the Iliad can be better understood through the lens of Aristotle’s analysis of the polis in Politics.
A Christian Mystic Reads Homer: Simone Weil on ‘The Iliad’
This lecture examined Weil’s understanding of force as the epic’s true protagonist and the surprising connection she draws between The Iliad and the Gospels.