Through them students are introduced to the great historical traditions of Western and Oriental thought and to the most provocative ideas of the 20th century. The faculty do not present these ideas as accepted truths, but instead faculty and students together explore them as possible answers to the central human questions. Through this exploration, students come to value the social, ethical and spiritual significance of intellectual activity - of the life of the mind. Every Life of the Mind course is planned by an interdisciplinary team. Some courses are also team-taught, while others are individually taught, but offered by faculty members from several different departments.
All courses involve study of key writings.
During most class sessions the faculty and students engage in discussion of the meaning and importance of these writings, both in their own times and in the present. In MIND 181, Great Traditions of Asia, the class discusses the timeless message of the Indian Hindu classic, the Upanishads. In MIND 290, The Search for Meaning, the class debates the historical significance and contemporary relevance of Plato's Apology. Discussions are interspersed with lectures, slide presentations and films. Life of the Mind classes aim to build students' skills in critical thinking, discussion and writing.