Fall 2025

Study of the structures through which we shape our experience in religion, philosophy, literature, music, and the visual arts, and of competing theories of interpretation. Students may not take this course on a P/NP basis.

Systematic reasoning about values and ways of living; close reading of great literary and philosophical works from a range of classical traditions to the present.

Critical problems in the development of scientific thought, studied as vehicles for understanding the content and structure of the sciences. Specific subject matter in selected scientific disciplines will be presented. Students may not take this course on a P/NP basis.

Analysis of historical change; social and political theory and revolutionary thought; introduction to competing images of future states of affairs; the continuing process of change. Students may not take this course on a P/NP basis.

The first level writing course focuses on the relationship between critical thinking and analytic writing through the close reading of primary texts. Seminars are supplemented with biweekly one-on-one tutorials.

Critical readings of a series of texts in the liberal arts designed to promote discussion of important themes, theoretical approaches, research directions, and interdisciplinary connections. Graded CR/NC.

A guided polymathic inquiry into Los Angeles as fact and imaginative creation, featuring in-depth student research and projects.

Theories and practices in university-level teaching of close-reading and analytical writing, using texts central to Western tradition. Graduate student professionalization throught topical workshops and discussions. Open to assistant lecturers and teaching assistants only. Graded CR/NC.