Program: Winter Break Programs
Year-End Learning at Its Finest!
Get three days of the full Great Books Online experience in our Winter Break program.
The last week of the year is an ideal time for curious young minds to recharge by engaging in deep reading, interactive discussions, creative writing, and some plain old fun! In this live, online program, literature and philosophy serve as the catalysts for engaging discussions as students enjoy an intellectual journey designed to challenge minds, cultivate curiosity, and spark imaginations.
At Great Books, students learn critical thinking: to listen carefully, think on their feet, and ground their ideas in evidence from the text. Whether students have a future in the humanities or STEM, our Socratic approach makes students more rigorous thinkers and articulate written and verbal communicators. With these skills, they are more prepared to thrive in an increasingly competitive and complex world.
New in 2025: Writing Segment
This year we added a daily writing session that digs into the writing style and techniques used in the daily readings. Students will be given instruction and prompts to help them utilize what they’ve learned in their own writing.
Join us for this condensed version of Great Books that will include pod activities, our core literature program, daily writing, and, of course, the famed Hideous Cup of Poetry too!
Distinguished Faculty & Academic Mentors
The winter program will be led by distinguished college professors who also teach our online summer and on-campus programs. Additionally, students will receive academic mentoring from our Program Assistants, who lead discussion groups.
For Students Entering Grades:
On the Campuses of:
- Online (USA)
- Online (Asia)
Ready To Enroll?
Let's Get Started! Winter Break 2025:
USA/Europe Time Zones
Theme: The Real Deal: Authenticity
This winter we invite students to delve into a literary exploration of authenticity and selfhood. Students will consider questions like, "What does it mean to live truthfully in a world so skilled at disguise?" and "How do the masks we wear protect us—and what do they conceal?" Together, we’ll trace how writers across time have exposed the costs and rewards of being genuine, and how their stories illuminate our own struggles to be understood.
Readings by Guy de Maupassant, Franz Kafka, Kate Chopin, and others.
Led by Dr. Daniel de la Rocha, graduate of Yale and Sarah Lawrence, and currently living in Madrid working on his first novel.
- December 28, 29, and 30
- 1pm - 5pm Eastern (New York)
- This is 10am - 2pm Pacific (California) and 5pm - 9pm GMT (London)
- Tuition: $450
Register Now
Winter Break 2025:
Asia Time Zones
Theme: Endurance and Transformation
Join us this winter as we embark on a powerful journey through stories of endurance and transformation as we explore what fuels the human spirit to rise when everything seems to stand in its way? Together, we’ll examine how characters in literature confront hardship, defy despair, and find meaning in their struggles. Along the way, we’ll reflect on our own capacity for finding the resilience and courage to turn adversity into possibility.
Readings by Shakespeare, William Ernest Henley, Amanda Gorman, and others.
Led by Dr. Kenneth Sammond, senior lecturer in the Department of Humanities at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
- December 28, 29, and 30
- 9am - 1pm China Standard (Beijing)
- This is 10am - 2pm Korea (Seoul)
- For night owls in the USA, this is Dec. 27 - 29 from 8pm to midnight Eastern (New York)! Be a part of this international class!
- Tuition: $450
Register Now
Program Benefits
The benefits of a Great Books Winter Break Program are numerous:
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- Learn to think critically and deeply
- Read and analyze texts at a deeper level
- Build the skills to express yourself clearly in written pieces
- Gain confidence in academic discussions
- Practice a more open-minded approach to the world and differing views
- Learn to support opinions with clear textual evidence
- Meet similarly intellectually curious peers
- And so much more!
Led by award-winning faculty and warm mentors, Great Books is truly what the students make of it. When there is a collection of so many bright and curious minds dedicated to learning, there is no limit to the potential rewards. And fun too!
Teaching Methods
Our teaching method and faculty are what really differentiates Great Books from other programs. Our methodology of teaching by asking questions dates all the way back to Socrates. It leads students to develop critical thinking skills and thereby close reading with a reflective and analytical mindset. It also teaches communication skills and empathy, as students engage together in civil discourse about the big ideas that shape our world.
Great Books Academic Directors are distinguished professors and prize-winning scholars, authors, and educators from top universities. Their wide range of interests and backgrounds enrich our students’ experience and give them a true taste of a university classroom. Mentoring from our talented program assistants provides both social and academic support to boost confidence. Learn more about our incredible Academic Directors.
Get More Info!
Have questions? You can reach us anytime via email, call 203-612-9470, or a live chat.
On The Campuses Of:
Online (USA)
For Students Entering Grades:
9-12 (High School), 6-8 (Middle School)One & multi-week programs available:
- December 28, 2025
Online (Asia)
For Students Entering Grades:
9-12 (High School), 6-8 (Middle School)One & multi-week programs available:
- December 28, 2025
