The Great Books of Western Civilization

What These Pages Are All About.

n the early 1980’s, Mercer University began the Great Books Program, modeled after the course of study at St John's College, as an alternative to the standard distributional track of basic courses needed to graduate. The program was divided into eight courses that were required to complete the program and an additional ninth course which was optional.

he course titles, descriptions and the books read in each course are as follows. However, since more than one professor teaches them each quarter it is offered and different professors may teach them each year, the selection of texts for each one may vary from professor to professor and from year to year. The selections listed below were taken from the course syllabi from Spring, 1987 through Fall, 1989, except for the ninth class which I never took. I gleaned the works for that class from a fax I received in February, 1996 of the list of books used in the program. However, the final reading list for the various classes is the perogative of the individual professors

have attempted to provide textual links to all of the works listed below. It is noted whether the link is in plain text or is formatted for html. The works are in English, unless otherwise noted. I also plan to provide links to other lists of the Great Books of Western Civilization (such as the reading lists at St. John's College) when I find them. Any highlighted link listed under the work in the various lists should take you to the actual text located somewhere on the Worldwide Web. Any highlighted link under the author should take you to biographical material and/or other resources available on the Internet. Whether or not these links are useful will be in the eyes of the user.

For Your Information

In the Fall of 1997, Mercer University changed from the quarter system to the semester system. This has led to changes in how the great books curriculum is presented. Most notable is a change in course numbers and course descriptions however, some works have been moved from one course to another. For the most current and official great books curriculum at Mercer University, please visit the official program web site at http://www.mercer.edu/gbk/index.html. My site will continue to portray the program as it was when I was a student at Mercer from 1986-1990.

Browse Through the Great Books of Western Civilization Bookstore
In association with Amazon.com, I have set up this bookstore in conjunction with the main Great Books of Western Civilization page. The purpose is to provide you, the great books reader, with an online opportunity to purchase the books you want to read yourself, or to give as gifts.

Browse Through the Great Books of Western Civilization Bookstore
	In association with Amazon.com, I have set up this bookstore in conjunction with the main Great Books of Western Civilization page. The purpose is to provide you, the great books reader, with an online opportunity to purchase the books you want to read yourself, or to give as gifts.

Join the Great Books of Western Civilization Café
[Coffee Cup Image] Stop by for a cup of coffee and stay for the stimulating conversation. This area is for dissemination of information concerning the Great Books. Topics can include discussions of the "canon," individual "great books," various Great Books Programs, etc..

Join the Great Books of Western Civilization Café
	Stop by for a cup of coffee and stay for the stimulating conversation. This area is for dissemination of information concerning the Great Books. Topics can include discussions of the "canon," individual "great books," various Great Books Programs, etc..