<p>I'm very intrigued by the school's curriculum, but in some ways I feel there is something missing with the western canon being the sole emphasis...</p>
<p>let me be clear, although I am left leaning, I get very frustrated by "political correctedness" and don't think we need to dwell on the shortcomings of western culture continously....I do feel the importance of knowing the western canon, and that is one of the primary reasons I wish to go to college in the States....I feel that Canada has basically dropped foundation out of its curriculum and is.....I guess "undisciplined" is the word I was looking for, in safe-guarding western culture</p>
<p>but I do NOT think that western culture has a monopoly on truth, and I think it is very important to know other cultures way of viewing the world.....and I also don't think that western philosophy stops suddenly when "the good old days" fell into moral decay....I think that the world is continually getting more tolerant and enlightened and I get particularly frustrated with the whole doomsday argument</p>
<p>I love books like On the Road and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest...I know people can do study groups etc, so the fact that they are missing from the curriculum is not my main concern....I guess I'm just a little worried that everyone will be arch-conservatives a la Harold Bloom who (a) don't think truth can be found in certain styles they may themselves not appreciate and who are always blabbering on about the "death of art" or something as narrow-minded and (b) who don't think that the western canon should be read from a "helping society" point of view, because for me that is the main point in getting an education</p>
<p>also, I'm concerned that because the college is so different, students might be kind of disconnected from the real world...I have no interest in being disconnected from either the 21st century or the global community</p>
<p>also let me say that although this post probably comes across as negative, in reality, I really love what I know about St Johns so far, these are like my ONLY concerns....so please feel free to overturn my ignorances about the school.....and I am planning on visiting sometime if I can afford it, I know you have to in order to get a proper feel</p>
<p>any comments or insights would be most helpful, thanks in advance</p>
<p>This is an interesting concern and a hard one to address. First off, you won’t find yourself surrounded by a bunch of arch-conservatives. The student body tends to be very liberal (especially in santa fe), the faculty has representatives from the far ends of the political spectrum, but on the whole is moderately liberal, and the curriculum, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, is conservative insofar as it takes a historical approach to the humanities rather than focusing on the latest trends in the social sciences. The important thing to realize about the school is that members of the st. john’s community are much more interested in learning than they are in activism. There’s this pervading notion that activism begins once opinions are formed, and opinions are formed once conversation and openness to ideas has ceased. That said, there are plenty of students who are involved with different causes and community service is both encouraged and facilitated by the school. Reactionary partisan rancor, on the other hand, is not looked upon so favorably.
The books on the program are selected based upon the lasting impact they’ve had on western thought. It takes time to determine how enduring a book’s impact will be. Because of this, heidegger and husserl are the most contemporary thinkers that we’re exposed to. I imagine derrida, rawls, etc will be added once their lasting impact is clear. So the works we’re exposed to are not necessarily regarded as being the most “true” but instead the most useful in helping us familiarize ourselves with the philosophical underpinnings of our modern society.
St. John’s does have a group of conservative professors who are disciples of leo strauss and his students, but you will most likely never know what their political perspectives are unless you meet with them outside of class. The same goes with the liberal/socialist professors.
Sorry for this long-winded response, but I get so annoyed with those on the right and the left who try to politicize a great books education. As far as I can tell, there’s nothing intrinsically conservative or liberal about such a curriculum. We all read and take seriously the ideas of aquinas and augustine as well as those of marx and freud. The worst that can be said of exposure to such disparate world views is that it can force a person into a state of suspended judgment where activity takes a back seat to intellectual exploration. This doesn’t have to be the case. Sorry for the book. Hope that helped.</p>
<p>hey canadianemigre if you plan to go to St John’s what is your graduating year?
Where else are you looking at?
I’m an international of New Zealand in the south pacific grad year 14 or 15 depends when i reply in relation to my southern hemisphere timetable.</p>
<p>thanks derek duplessie!! I really liked your post. No worries about the length, I wouldn’t be looking at St Johns if I didn’t like long detailed reading :)</p>
<p>What you said about activism - that totally fits what I think. I originally started at a university here in Canada, and one of the most frustrating things was the over-the-top activism. People would dress up in chicken suits and stand in a cage for 24 hours, but they could hardly carry on an intelligent discussion about animal rights, wouldn’t have any of their facts right and more importantly wouldn’t be able to put together a coherent logical argument. I would much rather discuss the issues and really find some understanding while being open to other people’s points of view. I am planning on ending up in a career in one of those “causes” areas - intl development or environmental sci or something - but I strongly believe that any “activism” needs to be measured and inclusive to other ideas (if people can back them up with good and interesting reasons), and more about interacting with people then being loyal to a certain ideology.</p>
<p>and it is very appealing to know that the emphasis won’t be on the fads in social sciences. ie. I don’t want to read everything from an “angry feminist” point of view. but on the other hand, being a women, I don’t think you can ignore that point of view either. Some of the conservative promoters of great books seem to be so radically against any exploration of those issues, while the fact that the great books have led to such tolerance and equal rights for all is exactly why I have so much respect for western culture despite all its problems</p>
<p>And yes that is a very good point of needing time to test new classics. Also I have seen on facebook discussions that people have very current tastes in music and books, so I am not as concerned about the student body anymore. I am a little hesitant if I am willing to give up coursework in international relations/modern biology as those are two of my fav subject areas…but I do feel that st johns could give me enough intellectual benefits that I could catch up on other subjects later. It may well be the best opportunity I have…but still need to apply and visit hopefully</p>
<p>more comments are still welcome about this issue
…and especially I’m still interested in the campus atmosphere…is there enough to do? do you feel to isolated from the world? I’ve heard the food is bad - that’s a huge minus for me 
do people keep busy? I need to have enough to do or I go crazy…</p>
<p>nzrower - I’m actually a little older (21), and I graduated high school in 2004. Started a university in my hometown in Canada because of some family issues, but was completely unsatisfied and dropped out (gigantic class sizes, grades entirely based on m/c exams, only able to take one subject, students completely unmotivated and there because they had to have a degree to get a job) I know I want a small school where people care about learning and where you can take a bunch of different subjects. I also want a really interesting, intelligent and mature student body. So basically I’m only looking at the small elite LACs in the USA. Financial aid, the fact I’m older etc. are proving to be big obstacles. That’s why I’m drawn to St Johns though because it sounds like it has a lot of people with unusual situations who just couldn’t find the right home anywhere else but who have tons of potential to offer.
what’s your story? (and grad year 15?? what does that mean - in Canada we have grades 1(when 6 years old) thru 12 (when 17 years old)</p>
<p>hi im a junior right now looking thorugh like a billion colleges and st johns really stood out for me. it sounds so perfect, i just have two questions. one is what are the students like? are there still parties? are the students for lack of a better term “artsy”? second is do most people go to graduate school? it just seems so radical that i just want to make sure that its still a widely accepted program since i want to continue school after it. also, do people go onto medical or science careers? there just doesnt seem to be a science foucs
i really LOVE all that ive read about this school and i cant wait to visit it in the fall!</p>
<p>The student body is comprised of all types of people. We have everyone from hipsters to super geeks to jocks. Santa fe tends to have more of a west coast, artsy atmosphere, but both campuses are fairly similar as far as student bodies go. There is at least one party on campus every weekend in addition to off campus parties and the ubiquitous smaller gatherings in the common rooms/dorms. Throughout the year there are also larger school-sponsored parties like drag ball, “seducers and corrupters”, lola’s (a casino night), and reality weekend (a big blowout all-campus party at the end of the year).</p>
<p>I think something like 80% of st. john’s graduates end up going on to grad school. Many also go to law and med school. I’m told that st. john’s is well-known and well-respected among grad schools. Here’s a list showing where st. john’s ranks in terms of phd productivity in several fields of study [REED</a> COLLEGE PHD PRODUCTIVITY](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/ir/phd.html]REED”>Doctoral Degree Productivity - Institutional Research - Reed College). Hope this helps.</p>
<p>thank you so much! that really stoped my fears of future education after that! now i just have to get in…</p>