What is Winter Classics?

St. John’s College Winter Classics are not a lecture, nor a book club. At St. John’s, seminars are lively, in-depth, and highly participatory conversations on enduring works of art, literature, philosophy, science, and more. Beyond the learning that takes place through the works and with one another in seminar, attendees describe their experience as “stimulating” and “restorative.”

How Does it Work?

Discussions begin with an opening question presented by St. John’s College faculty, called Tutors. Our renowned tutors guide the seminar, but the selected text is the root of instruction. Therefore, knowledge of any given topic is not required, but a passion for learning is crucial. For an engaging, in-depth experience, online seminars are limited to 14 participants. Devote a wintry week, Monday through Friday, two hours a day, to delve into the topic of your choice.

Why Join Us?

From the ancient to the modern, the theatric to the philosophical—the choices of seminars are as varied as the human intellect.

Recent attendees describe St. John’s Classics programs as a “mind-expanding, unique experiment in civil discourse, deepening the connections to what is essential and vital in humanity,” and contend that “St. John’s has faith in the life of the mind and will restore your faith as well.”

If you are looking for a community of learners who engage with great minds to better know themselves and our world, you have come to the right place.

To see examples of previous seminar topics, please visit the Winter Classics 2026 Seminar Catalog.