Current Courses

This course explores how great books address perennial human questions about knowledge, nature, love, justice, and freedom. The course is team-taught by two faculty members and prioritizes conversation over lecture. Together we read a range of great books from the ancient world up to the present day, such as novels by writers like Jane Austen and Toni Morrison, classical works by Homer, Plato and Augustine, and influential works of political thought by Aristotle, Nietzsche and Hannah Arendt.

What does it mean to live a good human life? What are the conditions for human happiness? Does human life have meaning? In this course we will study great books by writers like Homer, Augustine, and Virginia Woolf. With these texts as our guides, we will discuss fundamental human questions about love, family, fate, divinity, and self- knowledge. Our goal is both clear and elusive: we want to know how best to live.

In this course we examine philosophy and art, truth and beauty. Are some works of art - poems or films - actually works of philosophy? Must philosophy use poetry or images to communicate truth? To answer these and other questions, we will study works by great thinkers like Nietzsche and Plato alongside works of fine art, music, and poetry. Students will be given the chance to reflect on the works studied with a creative project. Fulfills Group D requirement.

This course explores how great books address perennial human questions about knowledge, nature, love, justice, and freedom. The course is team-taught by two faculty members and prioritizes conversation over lecture. Together we read a range of great books from the ancient world up to the present day, such as novels by writers like Jane Austen and Toni Morrison, classical works by Homer, Plato and Augustine, and influential works of political thought by Aristotle, Nietzsche and Hannah Arendt.

What is humanity's relationship to nature? Are humans natural beings, or uniquely free? How does the scientific revolution change humanity's relationship to nature? Modern science and technology have undoubtedly made life easier, but have there been costs? By studying works of natural science-ancient and modern-philosophy, literature, and theology we will explore various historical perspectives on nature and consider the consequences - both good and bad - of our technologically mediated lives. Fulfills Group C Requirement.

While Shakespeare is best known as a playwright and poet, he was also one of the most astute and original political thinkers of the early modern period. Shakespeare's plays analyze the careers of monarchs, revolutions, gender politics, as well as the interplay between natural, divine, and positive law. This course examines Shakespeare's works alongside the works of other political thinkers to contextualize Shakespeare and to better understand his contribution to the history of political thought.

The purpose of this course is to afford students interested in writing an honours thesis the opportunity to develop a thorough proposal, including a substantial annotated bibliography. Students will work closely with their thesis director in developing and writing the thesis proposal. Classes will meet throughout the term to assess progress. Students will be required to present and defend their proposal before their classmates and the faculty of the Great Ideas Programme. Students must complete this course to be eligible for GRID 4906.

This seminar will be centred around intensive study of a particular text or thinker. The subject of the seminar will vary from year to year. The purpose of the course is to provide students with an introduction to advanced research methods, and to provide preparation for graduate-level study in the humanities. Enrolment is open to Great Books honours students, or other upper-year students with permission from the professor.