Shimer Great Books Blog
The Shimer perspective and contribution to the Great Conversation
Does evil exist? What is light? Is the world becoming a better place? Questions like these—that demand to be asked but seem to defy final answers—are the living heart of traditions of study and debate as old as recorded history. These traditions form the unique curriculum at the Shimer Great Books School, which we want to share with you in the form of our blog. Here we will pose questions, offer challenging insight, and give you a glimpse behind the curtain. Join the Great Conversation with us!
The Socratic Method At The Shimer Great Books School: Encouraging Open Dialogue Within An Unusual College Major
Schools that value student participation in the classroom, including the Shimer Great Books School, often refer to themselves as using “the Socratic method.” Some schools apply that term to a practice in which professors ask leading questions, guiding students toward
Shimer Great Books School Alum Interview with Robert O. Keohane, Shimer ‘61
It is a pleasure to be interviewed as part of the Shimer alumni interview se
The Great Books Challenge
What makes a “great book” has been the most contentious issue for the Shimer Great Books School since its distinction as a “great books school” in the 1950s. Is it a classic? A primary material? And who decides what those are, anyway?
The life-long impact of a Great Books college education: An interview with Chris Vaughan
Tell us about how you ended up at Shimer Great Books School.
Shimer Great Books School: A homeschool friendly college
Preparation is underway for our first two-week summer camp: the Shimer Great Books School “Big Ideas” camp. The first big idea will focus on nature, June 18 – 22, and our second idea is technology, June 25 – 29.