The Great Conversation
An integrated sequence of five courses taken over two years, the Great Conversation introduces students to the major epochs of Western tradition through direct encounter with significant works. Beginning with the ancient Greeks and Hebrews, the program traces the development of literary and artistic expression, philosophic thought, religious belief, and historical reflections on western culture into the modern world. Students respond to great works, challenging the ideas expressed in them and challenging their own ideas as well, thus joining the conversation of men and women through the ages about the perennial issues of human life.
What Great Con students say ...
"To be a 'Conner' is to take part in a truly great conversation. From the ancient Greeks to Elie Wiesel, my classmates and I learned to question each other, challenge each other, and learn from each other. I read books I wanted to read for years, like Plato's Republic. I read the Bible, thinking that as a pastor's daughter I knew it well... and discovered that I hadn't even really read it. I discovered Dante and Virginia Woolf. I marveled that so much of what we discussed in Con overlapped with and influenced my thinking in my majors. Most of all, I grew to love the dialogues and debate that characterized each class. We argued and listened and laughed through discussions that continued long into the night after class had ended. Now, moving towards graduation, I realize that most of my closest friendships grew out of those conversations. Great Con challenged me to think for myself, while also respecting and integrating the perspectives of a remarkable group of classmates and professors."
— Katie Larson, English major with a Women's Studies Concentration and Music major in Voice Performance; 2000 Rhodes Scholar; Assistant Professor of English, Univ. of Toronto
