About this Program
- School: Hamilton School of Classical and Civic Education
- Degree: Bachelor of Arts
- Credits for Degree: 120
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.
School Information
The Hamilton School of Classical and Civic Education is devoted to research and teaching on Western civilization and the principles of a free society. Here students see past their horizons and prepare for lifetimes of leadership by studying the greatest works of the Western tradition and beyond. Open inquiry and the pursuit of excellence grounded in Western civilization and the American experience are the foundation of an education that will lead our students to thrive not just while at the University of Florida, but throughout their lives and careers. Liberal education promises to be a transformative experience and the university, “the meeting place of the greats." The Hamilton School of Classical and Civic Education fulfills that promise.
CONTACT
Advising Email | General Email | 352.273.3040
Hamilton School
University of Florida
432 Newell Drive
CSE Building, 4th-5th Floors
P.O. Box 117460
Gainesville, FL 32611
Curriculum
A major in Great Books and Ideas enables students to know the principles, ideals, and foundations of the American political order through an education in core texts and great debates of Western Civilization and the Great Books. Students will learn how the central tenets and values of freedom, democracy, and individual liberty developed in literature, art, philosophy, history and political thought, from the Classical period through the Modern era.
Coursework for the Major
Total Credits: 42
Intellectual Foundations | 9 Credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AMS 2010 | Civil Discourse and the American Political Order | 3 |
| ISS 2105 | The Origins of the Contemporary West: I (Ancients to the Scientific Revolution) | 3 |
| ISS 2106 | The Origins of the Contemporary West: II (Enlightenment to Modernity) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
The Seminars | 12 Credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ISS 2290 | Conflict and Character: Great Books in the Ancient World | 3 |
| ISS 2291 | Great Books of the Medieval World | 3 |
| ISS 2292 | Great Books of Early Modern World: Renaissance to Enlightenment | 3 |
| ISS 2293 | Great Books of Modern World | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Thematic Tutorials | 12 Credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Must take each course twice with a different topic each time | ||
| ISS 3932 | Philosophical and Literary Traditions and Ideas (First Topic) | 3 |
| ISS 3932 | Philosophical and Literary Traditions and Ideas (Second Topic) | 3 |
| ISS 3934 | Political and Historical Traditions and Ideas (First Topic) | 3 |
| ISS 3934 | Political and Historical Traditions and Ideas (Second Topic) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
The History of Art | 3 Credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARH 2050 | Introduction to the Principles and History of Art 1 | 3 |
The Senior Capstone | 6 Credits
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ISS 4920 | Great Books & Ideas Thesis Writing Workshop | 3 |
| ISS 4970 | Great Books & Ideas Senior Thesis | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- Complete ISS 2105 Origins of the Contemporary West: 1 World with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete ISS 2106 Origins of the Contemporary West: II World with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete ISS 2290: Great Books of the Ancient World and ISS 2291: Great Books of the Medieval World with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete ISS 2292 Great Books of the Early Modern World: Renaissance to the Enlightenment and ISS 2293 Great Books of the Modern World with a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete 1 offering of ISS 3934 Political and Historical Traditions and Ideas with a 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
- Complete 1 offering of ISS 3932 Philosophical and Literary Traditions and Ideas with a 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 6
- Complete second offering of ISS 3934 Political and Historical Traditions and Ideas with a 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
- Complete second offering of ISS 3932 Philosophical and Literary Traditions and Ideas with a 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 7
- ISS 4920 Thesis Writing Workshop with a 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
- Complete 1 Approved Elective with a 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 8
- ISS 4970 Senior Thesis with a 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
- Complete 1 Approved Elective with a 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
- 2.0 UF GPA required
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.
This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.
| Semester One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 | |
| ISS 2105 | Origins of the Contemporary West: 1 (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences | 3 | |
| State Core Gen Ed Mathematics | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Two | ||
| ISS 2106 | Origins of the Contemporary West: II (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Humanities | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 6,000 words | 3 | |
| Gen Ed Mathematics | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Three | ||
| AMS 2010 | Civil Discourse and the American Political Order (Gen Ed Humanities) | 3 |
| AMH 2020 | United States Since 1877 (State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 |
| ISS 2290 | Great Books of the Ancient World (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| ISS 2291 | Great Books of the Medieval World (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Four | ||
| Quest 2 (Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | |
| ISS 2292 | Great Books of the Early Modern World: Renaissance to the Enlightenment (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| ISS 2293 | Great Books of the Modern World (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 6,000 words | 3 | |
| Approved elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Five | ||
| ARH 2050 | Introduction to the Principles and History of Art 1 (Gen Ed Humanities and International) | 3 |
| ISS 3932 | Political and Historical Traditions and Ideas (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| ISS 3934 | Philosophical and Literary Traditions and Ideas (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Elective (Writing Requirement 6,000 words) | 3 | |
| Elective (3000-level or above, not in major) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Six | ||
| ISS 3934: Political and Historical Traditions and Ideas (Critical Tracking) | 3 | |
| ISS 3934: Philosophical Traditions and Ideas (Critical Tracking) | 3 | |
| Approved Elective | 3 | |
| Elective (Writing Requirement 6,000 words) | 3 | |
| Elective (3000-level or above, not in major) | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Seven | ||
| ISS 4920 | Thesis Writing Workshop (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Approved Elective (Critical Tracking) | 3 | |
| Elective (3000-level or above, not in major) | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester Eight | ||
| ISS 4970 | Senior Thesis (Critical Tracking) | 3 |
| Approved Elective (Critical Tracking) | 3 | |
| Elective (3000-level or above, not in major) | 3 | |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |