Bachelor of arts in Great Books

We offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the deep study of great books written by some of the world’s most influential and original thinkers. Our students read classic texts like Homer’s Odyssey and Plato’s Republic alongside more modern works like Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home.

DISCOVERING GREAT BOOKS

In Great Books, students encounter different subjects, genres, and modes of inquiry. Each course is organized around a theme, like Freedom or Human Nature & Technology. Students read novels alongside philosophical treatises; they study law, politics, poems, works of history, and autobiographies all in the same course. In addition, every course is team-taught by two professors to promote conversation and a diversity of views. Professors choose texts that will challenge and provoke you — books that might inspire or trouble you. Through these texts, our students come to understand a good deal about themselves and the world they inhabit.

Students who are interested in Great Books often take the first-year Aquinas: Great Books Program, as it operates on similar principles. Our classes are team-taught by at least two different professors and sufficiently small (36 students maximum) to allow for discussion.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN STUDYING GREAT BOOKS IF...

• You are interested in understanding yourself and your place in the world
• You love to read and think about life's big questions
• You're interested in the history of ideas

We believe smaller is better. Our small size is the reason we are able to give each one of our students a big university experience full of opportunity.

Located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, St. Thomas University is a small, primarily undergraduate university dedicated to excellence in liberal arts education.

University is an exciting time. It’s a time for personal and intellectual growth. It's an opportunity for students to learn more about the world, and about themselves. New interests, new friends, and new experiences help take students into the next chapter of their lives.

This time can always present challenges, and that’s why we are committed to providing a learning environment second to none, academic and personal support for when it’s needed, and opportunities that provide students the experiences they need to reach their academic and professional goals.

Classes – Every single class is small and intimate. Capped at 60 students, our average class size is only 26 students, and upper-year classes are even smaller. Classes are discussion and debate based, and professors are able to get to know their students and offer individualized attention. 99% of our full-time faculty have their Ph.D. or highest degrees in their fields.

Teaching Excellence – 91% of first-year students rate their experience as excellent or good. One reason is that the emphasis on teaching, academic challenge, and developing new thinking skills are rated among the highest in Canada.

Financial Aid – The university dedicates $1.8 million to student financial aid every year. With more than 40 different kinds of scholarships and bursaries available, there are many ways to help offset tuition costs.

Support – Our Student Services Department supports students every step of the way. Offering resources for academic support, career planning, stress management, and more, students have a team of people to help them through their time at university.

Opportunities – A university degree is about more than just attending class. Our students attend national conferences, study abroad, publish their research and work on professional research with professors. They take on leadership roles in the Students' Union and Residence Life, work part-time jobs on campus, and intern and volunteer throughout the city.