Thomas Jefferson Center for the Study of Core Texts and Ideas | College of Liberal Arts
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Certificate Plan

 

The Certificate Program in Core Texts and Ideas offers undergraduates in all majors an integrated sequence of six courses based on great books and fundamental questions, which can also be used to satisfy UT core requirements. The certificate requires a minimum of 18 hours including:

  • 6 hours of upper division coursework
  • 9 hours taken in residence
  • One or more courses in each of four required areas, as outlined below

CTI electives as needed to bring the total to 18 hours

 

Area 1 Philosophy and Literature of the Ancient World

Classical philosophy and literature primarily from ancient Greece, exploring fundamental questions about human nature, justice, ethics, and humanity's place in the cosmos. Readings include one or more masterpieces of epic or tragedy and one or more dialogues of Plato. One of the following is required:

  • CTI 301G Introduction to Ancient Greece (fulfills VAPA and CEHET requirement, same as C C 301)
  • TC 302 Introduction to Greek Political Thought 
  • UGS 302 Classical Philosophy and Literature (fulfills Signature Course requirement)
  • UGS 303 The Challenge of the Greeks (fulfills Signature Course requirement)

 

Area 2 Major Texts of World Religion

A study of basic religious texts, including both the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, examined from various perspectives, with emphasis on the fundamental questions raised in those texts. One of the following is required:

  • CTI 304 The Bible and its Interpreters  (same as R S 315C)   
  • CTI 355C Law, Liberty, Faith (offered only in Fall 2023 or earlier)
  • CTI 354L Law and Justice in the Bible 
  • CTI 375 The Qur'an                         

                             

Area 3 History of Political Philosophy

Introduces the great rival conceptions of the moral basis and goals of political life as elaborated by revolutionary thinkers in the history of political philosophy, including at least one representative each from classical antiquity, the medieval period, the enlightenment, and the late modern critics of the enlightenment. One of the following is required:

  • CTI 302 Classics of Social and Political Thought (fulfills Social & Behavioral Science requirements, same as GOV 314E)
  • CTI 323 Might and Right Among Nations (carries Ethics flag, same as GOV 351J)

 

Area 4 America's Constitutional Principles

Close readings from primary texts that have shaped or that reflect deeply on American democracy, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, The Federalist Papers, and Tocqueville's Democracy in America. One of the following is required:

  • GOV 312P Constitutional Principles: Core Texts (fulfills half of Core Govt requirement when paired with GOV 310L)
  • GOV 379C Regime Perspectives on American Politics (offered only in Spring 2024 and earlier)

 

Electives

All courses listed or cross-listed with CTI, and all courses on the CTI Qualifying Course List  may be used as electives for the certificate.

 

Updated 8/7/2024

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