<p>I have heard numerous students say the University of Chicago “taught me to think”; what does this really mean and how is this achieved?</p>
<p>Electrodes in the brain. It’s the only way.</p>
<p>They’re probably referring to Chicago’s core curriculum, which mandates that students take humanities, social science, and civilization courses, along with math, bio, and physics or chem. So even if you’re looking to become a doctor one day, you’re going to be spending a lot of your time reading, thinking, and writing about dead white guys.</p>
<p>There is what is called a Chicago style of argument that permeates the culture as well as the courses. By making this the requirement throughout most of the curriculum, particularly the Core, a systematic approach to thinking may emerge. Here is a brief description of what is required day-to-day paraphrased from a Chicago student who posted on this forum some time ago.</p>
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<p>My S confirmed that this was indeed a good description. Interestingly, when my S attended a top Ivy this past summer he found that this was not stressed in the science course he was taking as it was in the science courses (and others) he took at Chicago. He felt there is much more commitment to inquiry and understanding theory at Chicago. (It was, however, but one subject matter, although, he said it seemed to absent in the courses others were taking as well, --as he was used to it.)</p>