The Joys of Discussion: From a Great Books Program Alum

The year before I enrolled in the Shimer Great Books program, I was part of a student group at Wright College, my local community college in Chicago, that met weekly to discuss current political developments. I awaited our meetings with a lot of excitement.

Lessons From the Great Books: What Reading Freud at Age 17 Taught Me

The course that most energized me in high school was AP Lit. I had always been interested in writing and literature, but this was a course that kicked it into high gear. My teacher, Mr. Ricketts, used unique teaching methods and achieved this in two ways.

The Gift of a Book

I was given four books this Christmas, which has me thinking generally about gift giving. One of the most memorable moments in my reading life was my encounter with Nietzsche’s remarks on gift giving, the “highest virtue” in “Thus Spake Zarathustra”.

Home is where ... Shimer Great Books School chair speaks on finding home

During North Central’s Homecoming Week in October, Shimer College alumni attended a welcoming event to visit the new home of the Shimer Great Books School.

How to master the art of reading: essential tips for tackling the Great Books

It takes a long time to learn how to read well. I'm not talking about learning how to read—you did that before you were six—but how to read well.