A Week of Civic Virtue
This August, spend a week on UChicago’s Hyde Park campus to explore big ideas and lively conversations with fellow Graham students.
We live in an era of stark political polarization, when many people feel they cannot meaningfully engage in conversations with others who belong to opposing political parties or have different views.
At the Graham School, we create an atmosphere in which students with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives can engage in open exchange.
In our political science courses, you can examine primary sources with faculty and instructors and engage in thoughtful discussions with peers. Our courses focus on a wide range of topics such as international diplomacy, the relationship between the U.S. Presidency and the other branches of government, and the ideals of liberty embedded in the U.S. Constitution.
Spotlight Programs
Immerse Yourself in the Great Books
Explore timeless works of literature, philosophy, history, and social thought.
Grow as a Thinker and Leader
Elevate your critical thinking and leadership through advanced study in the liberal arts.
All Political Science Courses
American Ideas and Ideals, 1930-2020
Fred Beuttler
Basic Program Year 1 Winter
Cynthia Rutz, Simon Friedland & 5 more
What is Political Science?
Political science is a social science that investigates and theorizes about politics. Students in Graham School political science courses explore aspects of politics and government through reading primary texts, discussing political theories, and exploring the impacts that politics has on society. Courses may examine topics like election structure and civic participation, the impact of economic policy, or the way laws are passed or interpreted.
Political Science Instructors
Fred Beuttler
Lecturer, Master of Liberal Arts Program
Noah Chafets
Cyril O. Houle Chair of the Basic Program
Simon Friedland
Basic Program Instructor
Richard Hoskins
Basic Program Instructor
Jennifer A. Lind
Open Enrollment Instructor
Ada Palmer
Associate Professor of Early Modern European History and the College at the University of Chicago Open Enrollment Instructor
Clare Pearson
Basic Program Instructor
Cynthia Rutz
Basic Program Instructor
Kendall Sharp
Basic Program Instructor
Alina Shokareva
Visiting Professor
Jacqueline Victor
Basic Program Instructor
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the Graham School’s political science offerings.
Will the content of these courses be biased toward one political party or ideology?
The content of these courses is focused on exploring topics through the lens of primary texts written by people from a variety of political affiliations. The University of Chicago is committed to promoting free expression and open discourse, welcoming all viewpoints in our classrooms. We encourage students to participate in respectful discussions in which all can share their perspectives.
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 background in the study or practice of politics.
What’s it like to take a course in a Socratic seminar format?
You’ll come to each session prepared to engage in lively, respectful discussions about the assigned reading. With a small group of peers and your instructor, you’ll examine fundamental questions through the lenses of multiple disciplines and lived experiences.
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.
Political Science News
The Backsliders: A Conversation with Susan C. Stokes
Susan C. Stokes joined us for an engaging discussion about her new book ‘The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies.’
The Future of Media in an Age of Disruption
In this conversation, we explored how the digital revolution has transformed our media landscape and examined its implications for democracy.
Trust, Polarization and Media In A Post Truth Era
In today’s polarized, contradictory and fragmented information environment, it can be hard to know what to believe. Public figures promote radically different narratives about events, each amplified by media that the public regards as less and less trustworthy. The truth is out there, but in today’s chaotic media ecosystem, where do you find it? Watch……