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    • The Program

    Plan II excites curiosities. Its core is the study of literature, philosophy, society, and natural sciences, all in the form in which they have the most meaning for the lives of real individuals. Its spirit is the freedom to cross intellectual boundaries and to seek understanding wherever it is to be found. Plan II students have explored everything that makes us human in the best sense, from poetry to the latest discoveries in physics or cosmology.

    Established in 1935, Plan II is a challenging interdisciplinary curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Plan II differs from most honors programs in that its core curriculum is itself a major. Over a third of the courses required for a Plan II degree are limited to Plan II students. Plan II students also have access to other honors-level courses at the University. They choose their remaining classes from the extensive list of the University's departmental offerings. Many of these classes will be as challenging as honors courses. The following core courses are especially designed for Plan II students:

    Caliber of Faculty

    Plan II prides itself on having top-notch professors teaching even freshman courses. The world literature class, for example, may be taught by a member of UT's Academy of Distinguished Teachers, while seminars are taught by specialists in their fields.

    Student-Faculty Interaction

    Plan II's small classes encourage students to get to know their professors both in the classroom and outside of it. Independent research projects and senior theses often develop from these early contacts.

    Academic Advising

    Two academic advisers specializing in Plan II are available to help students select courses, determine areas of concentration, set long-term goals--or simply adjust to college life. In addition, peer advisers are available to assist students with routine matters, while the Plan II director, associate director and other Plan II staff and faculty also provide advice and guidance.

    Community

    Plan II students develop a strong sense of community through shared classes, student organizations, and a home base in the Plan II office. The Plan II Students Association sponsors book discussions with faculty, arts organizations (theater, music, publications, and exhibitions), a freshman retreat to a hill country ranch, and occasional picnics and parties. The Plan II Student Room is equipped with computers and other equipment for student use. Students often stop by the office to check out the latest news, to chat with other students and the staff, or simply to grab a cookie from the Plan II cookie jar.

    Curriculum Explanation

    World Literature:
    The basic foundation of the Plan II core. The heart and soul of Plan II. This year-long course is required of all Plan II first-year students. Conducted as a seminar, it is writing-intensive and also emphasizes discussion. Each World Lit class has fewer than twenty students; the same groups stays together fall and spring; usually with the same faculty member. Each section is similar as all are surveys of World Literature and there is some overlap in reading assignments. As it is central to the Plan II curriculum, students may not place out of it.

    Freshman Tutorial:
    All freshmen take one tutorial in the fall or spring. These are topical seminar classes with fewer than twenty students. The emphasis is on discussion, critical thinking and writing. Faculty from across the campus are specially selected to teach these courses.

    Social Science 301:
    This course is offered under several disciplines, including economics, anthropology, government and psychology. Usually taken the second year, either semester. Involves contemporary social issues.Plan II Philosophy: Year-long course in the second year. Using ancient and modern texts, students consider ethics, political theory, metaphysics and epistemology.

    Humanities/Fine Arts:
    Two courses in one of these areas: art history, music history, or theater and dance history; or two upper-division courses in one of these areas: classical civilization, literature, humanities or philosophy. Performing arts and studio arts courses do not satisfy the requirement. Perfect to reserve for study abroad.

    Non-U.S. History:
    Two courses in the same geographical area are required: one from an older period of the area’s history and one from a more recent period. A Plan II Western Civilization sequence is available, but students may take sequences from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America or the Middle East. Another great requirement that can be completed at a foreign institution.

    Junior Seminars:
    Similar in format and approach to the first-year tutorials but on a more sophisticated level, they involve research methodologies and often require term papers. These seminars prepare students for their required thesis.

    Plan II Math & Science Curriculum
    All students in Liberal Arts must take 18 hours of math and science. For Plan II student, 12 of these 18 hours are prescribed as follows: