St. John’s Reading List: A Great Books Curriculum

St. John’s College is best known for its reading list and the Great Books curriculum that was adopted in 1937. While the list of books has evolved over the last century, the tradition of all students reading foundational texts of Western civilization remains. The reading list at St. John’s includes classic works in philosophy, literature, political science, psychology, history, religion, economics, math, chemistry, physics, biology, astronomy, music, language, and more. Learn more about classes at St. John’s and the subjects students study.

The reading list presented on this page may not accurately reflect the current reading list due to recent changes, works that are read only on one campus, works that are read in part, and works that are read by some students as junior and senior elective classes.

Year of Study

Freshman

Year of Study

Sophomore

Year of Study

Junior

Year of Study

Senior