Current Courses

This course explores how great books address perennial human questions about knowledge, nature, love, justice, and freedom. The course is team-taught by two faculty members and prioritizes conversation over lecture. Together we read a range of great books from the ancient world up to the present day, such as novels by writers like Jane Austen and Toni Morrison, classical works by Homer, Plato and Augustine, and influential works of political thought by Aristotle, Nietzsche and Hannah Arendt.

What does it mean to live a good human life? What are the conditions for human happiness? Does human life have meaning? In this course we will study great books by writers like Homer, Augustine, and Virginia Woolf. With these texts as our guides, we will discuss fundamental human questions about love, family, fate, divinity, and self- knowledge. Our goal is both clear and elusive: we want to know how best to live.

What is humanity's relationship to nature? Are humans natural beings, or uniquely free? How does the scientific revolution change humanity's relationship to nature? Modern science and technology have undoubtedly made life easier, but have there been costs? By studying works of natural science-ancient and modern-philosophy, literature, and theology we will explore various historical perspectives on "nature" and consider the consequences - both good and bad - of our technologically mediated lives. Fulfills Group C Requirement.(SEST)

In this course we examine philosophy and art, truth and beauty. Are some works of art - poems or films - actually works of philosophy? Must philosophy use poetry or images to communicate truth? To answer these and other questions, we will study works by great thinkers like Nietzsche and Plato alongside works of fine art, music, and poetry. Students will be given the chance to reflect on the works studied with a creative project. Fulfills Group D requirement.

This course explores how great books address perennial human questions about knowledge, nature, love, justice, and freedom. The course is team-taught by two faculty members and prioritizes conversation over lecture. Together we read a range of great books from the ancient world up to the present day, such as novels by writers like Jane Austen and Toni Morrison, classical works by Homer, Plato and Augustine, and influential works of political thought by Aristotle, Nietzsche and Hannah Arendt.

What is humanity's relationship to nature? Are humans natural beings, or uniquely free? How does the scientific revolution change humanity's relationship to nature? Modern science and technology have undoubtedly made life easier, but have there been costs? By studying works of natural science-ancient and modern-philosophy, literature, and theology we will explore various historical perspectives on "nature" and consider the consequences - both good and bad - of our technologically mediated lives. Fulfills Group C Requirement.(SEST)

This course will explore faith and reason as two ways by which human beings apprehend the truth, the fundamental object of our understanding. The nature and capacity of faith and reason as well as their relationship to one another will be explored through literary and philosophic texts that posit either one or both of these modes as the path to knowledge. Texts may vary from year to year, but normally the course will include works such as Aeschylus' Oresteia, The Gospel of John, Descartes' Discourse on Method, selections from Luther, and Kant's Critique of Pure Reason.

This seminar will be centred around intensive study of a particular text or thinker. The subject of the seminar will vary from year to year. The purpose of the course is to provide students with an introduction to advanced research methods, and to provide preparation for graduate-level study in the humanities. Enrolment is open to Great Books honours students, or other upper-year students with permission from the professor.