St. John's College in Annapolis (1948) [pdf]
The 1948 document from St. John's College in Annapolis outlines the institution's curriculum and educational philosophy, emphasizing the study of great books and liberal arts. It details the college's commitment to a classical education grounded in seminars, tutorials, and lectures on foundational texts of Western civilization.
Background
- St. John's College, founded in 1696 in Annapolis, Maryland, is the third-oldest college in the United States. It is best known for its "Great Books" curriculum — a four-year program entirely based on reading and discussing foundational works of Western philosophy, literature, mathematics, and science, with no majors or electives.
- This 1948 PDF reflects a pivotal moment: in 1937, St. John's faced financial collapse and adopted the Great Books approach under President Stringfellow Barr and Dean Scott Buchanan, both of whom were instrumental in designing the "New Program." This was a radical departure from standard American higher education.
- The document likely explains or promotes this curriculum. Key figures associated with the program include Barr, Buchanan, and philosopher Mortimer Adler, who helped popularize the Great Books idea. The college's unusual approach — emphasizing Socratic discussion over lectures — still defines it today and has influenced educational debates for decades.