core texts and ideas
TRANSCRIPT
Dr. Lorraine Pangle, Co-Dr. Lorraine Pangle, Co-DirectorDirector
Focus is not an academic discipline, region, time
period, or any specialized body of knowledge
Not applied knowledge aimed at some particular vocation
Creates a locus of sustained dialogue about questions of enduring significance
Provides new ways for undergraduates to integrate their studies
About the Jefferson Center
Certificate Program in Core Texts and Ideas
Introduction to the liberal arts through the study of the great books
Open to all UT undergraduates Will complement any major with an integrated sequence of
six courses that can also meet other UT requirements Consists of 4 required courses and 2 electives
Required courses will cover: Classical philosophy and literature, especially from ancient Greece Texts of major world religions, including the Hebrew Bible and New
Testament The tradition of political philosophy in the West from Aristotle to
Nietzsche The principles of American government as they were debated by the
framers of the Constitution and as they have played out in subsequent American political life
Overview of Our Programs
Sample CTI Programs
GOV 312L topics vary by section
GOV 312P America’s Constitutional Principles: Core Texts Close readings from primary texts that have shaped or that reflect deeply
on American democracy, including the Declaration of Independence, The Federalist Papers, and Tocqueville’s Democracy in America. Three lecture hours or two lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Partially fulfills the legislative requirement in American and Texas Government. Prerequisite: 24 hours of coursework, GOV 310.
GOV 312R America’s Constitutional Principles: the Challenge of Equality Close readings from primary texts that have shaped or that reflect deeply
on American democracy, including the Declaration of Independence, The Federalist Papers, and Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, with special attention to the issue of equality and the experience or perspectives of one or more underrepresented cultural groups in the United States. Three lecture hours or two lecture hours and one discussion hour a week for one semester. Partially fulfills the legislative requirement in American and Texas Government. Prerequisite: 24 hours of coursework, GOV 310. Carries Cultural Diversity flag.
Core Government Options
Concentration in Western Civilization and
American Institutions The student must fulfill the following
requirements: Completion of the requirements of a major Three semester hours of political philosophy, chosen from CTI
302, CTI 303, GOV 351C, GOV 351D, and any section of GOV 335M that is cross-listed with CTI.
Fifteen additional semester hours of coursework, chosen from the list of approved CTI qualifying courses
Other Program Options
Students in most majors may take a minor in
the great books by completing 12 hours of CTI coursework, six of which must be upper division
Minor in CTI
The Jefferson Center Summer Scholars Program offers an
opportunity for undergraduates to continue to study of the Great Books during the summer months.
Under the guidance of a Jefferson Center faculty member, Summer Scholars will do a careful study of a single core text.
Each week, they will read a small portion of the text and then meet with the faculty member and the other Scholars for a discussion.
At the end of the summer, each Scholar will write a short paper. In order to participate, students must be in Austin for most of
the summer. All students pursuing the certificate in Core Texts and Ideas
are automatically eligible to enroll. Other undergraduates, including students from institutions
other than the University of Texas, can apply to become Summer Scholars by special arrangement.
Summer Scholars Program
The Jefferson Scholarship is awarded each
semester on a competitive basis to 10 or more honors students who are pursuing the Certificate Program in Core Texts and Ideas. The scholarship provides $300 each semester. Scholars also have the opportunity to take part
in lunches with faculty meetings, receptions with visiting scholars, coffee hours, and other events planned by the scholars themselves.
Jefferson Scholars Program
Eligibility
To qualify for the scholarship, students must: be enrolled in one of the existing honors programs (Plan
II, Liberal Arts Honors, Business Honors, Engineering Honors, Turing Scholars, CNS Dean’s Scholars; CNS Health Science Honors, or Women in Science Honors), or have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher; and
be enrolled in at least one course that qualifies for the Program in Core Texts and Ideas. A list of these courses may be found at http://www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/coretexts. Preference will be given to students who are on track to
graduate with the Certificate in Core Texts and Ideas.
Jefferson Scholars Program