The courses permit students to develop a knowledge of some basic texts and a working familiarity with a further group of support texts. Students use the assigned texts as instruments in their directed exploration of themes common to different disciplines. They design and produce, in their journals and papers, critical analyses of a variety of such themes using the basic texts.
Students often work out much more extended reading programs with their tutors.
Each course meets weekly during the term. The lecturer speaks formally, then responds in a seminar to student questions. Some lecturers provide detailed readings and rather than speak formally, choose to lead a less structured seminar. A paper or other final submission is required for each course. The assignments are worked out early in the term jointly by the student, tutor, and program director.