Texts and Ideas

In Texts and Ideas courses, students develop the ability to read, analyze, and compare complex texts while discussing ideas that have influenced society in different cultural and historical contexts.  At the same time, TI courses also use the ideas promoted by assigned texts as an opportunity for students to examine (1) their own and others’ ideas, (2) how socially influential ideas emerge, (3) how they grow to be influential, (4) how the they emerge from and structure particular societies, and (5) who promotes, benefits from, and contests them (and why).  Texts and Ideas courses also teach students to express themselves more effectively in one or several genres (e.g., essays, oral presentations, blogs, websites, artwork) chosen at the discretion of the faculty teaching them.

Students may fulfill the requirement either by taking a course designated as a Texts and Ideas course or by taking at least 9 credit hours in humanities courses, including most English, History, Philosophy, and Religion courses, as well as literature courses taught in classical and modern languages.  For AP/IB equivalencies, see www.butler.edu/registrar.

Course Structure

A menu of 3-credit-hour courses to be taken from the first year onward.

Learning Outcomes

• To engage in reading, writing, and discussion about important ideas drawn from the study of important texts in a variety of areas, including, among others, texts that represent literary, dramatic, sacred, historical, philosophical, and scientific genres
• To develop capacities for argument, interpretation, and aesthetic appreciation through engagement with these texts and ideas