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

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?

Tell us about how you ended up at Shimer Great Books School.

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.

I think it's fair to say that the development of democracy and our awareness of diversity developed hand in hand. Let me explain…

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.

Students who choose North Central College find their experiences are influenced by small classes, collaborating with professors and opportunities leading to study abroad, internships, careers and graduate school.

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.

Professor Stuart Patterson, chair of the Shimer Great Books School at North Central College, details what the ideal student for Shimer Great Books

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”.