At St. John’s, there are no academic departments, and students do not choose a major. Instead, we offer a single, four-year all-required Program of Study, undertaken as a whole by all students and the whole faculty.
Analyzed by course credits into conventional majors, the St. John’s Bachelor of Arts is recognized as a degree in philosophy, literature, and the natural sciences.
While the books on the Program characteristically transcend boundaries, the pages below show a classification of works by subject matter, across the four years.
Freshmen begin by learning the elements of ancient Greek grammar. By the end of the year, freshmen have learned enough Greek to translate with the help of a lexicon and notes.
The study of French at St. John’s extends the inquiry into language in new directions. As juniors, students acquire enough grammar and vocabulary to begin translating and discussing short texts.
Around the table and outside the classroom, students discuss ancient ideas that have shaped our world—especially relating to history, politics, law, and economics.
Students study original and influential works of mathematics, demonstrating hundreds of theorems to one another in class.
Students at St. John’s engage with great works of music. Johnnies take two years of music but the opportunities to sing, play, and dance extend far beyond the classroom.
St. John’s students study physics, biology, and chemistry through books and experiments that help them face difficult, basic questions and to see how they might be answered.
At St. John’s, students get to know themselves inside and outside the classroom as they explore some of the most interesting minds of the Western world.
