Colleges similar to UChicago?

JHS
Tue, 17 Nov 2015 16:07:43 +0000

The St. John’s core curriculum is unique. As I understand it, everyone studies in practical lockstep for most of their college careers; there are limited opportunities the last two years for elective focus in one or another field. They start with the Greeks and move chronologically through the history of ideas – philosophy, math, science, literature – studying everything from primary sources as it developed. So, for example, they study geometry by reading Euclid, and calculus by reading Leibniz and Newton. They replicate the development of Western civilization over the course of four years. It is the most extreme version available of a “Great Books” curriculum.

The Chicago core was never like that. Even in its earliest manifestations, it stood somewhat in opposition to the Great Books approach. There was some tugging in that direction along the way, but I think that the Chicago approach has always valued quality of critical thought over a comprehensive reading list.

That said, of course St. John’s attracts students who might also be attracted to the University of Chicago.