Foundations of Liberal Arts - Semester 1

Welcome to Foundations of Liberal Arts – Semester 1, the beginning of your journey at the San Diego Institute of Technology (SDIT) — a modern experiment in education built on timeless principles.

This is not a typical online course. It’s a reimagining of what it means to be educated.

You’ll explore the great ideas that shaped civilization, the philosophies that formed modern thought, and the creative practices that help you think clearly, express beautifully, and live intentionally.

Through reading, discussion, reflection, and creation, you’ll strengthen your ability to reason, write, design, and question — the essential tools of a free and capable mind.

This semester introduces the foundation of a modern liberal education: the art of learning how to learn.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of Semester 1, you will:

• Develop the core habits of a scholarly mind — reading deeply, writing clearly, and thinking critically.

• Understand the evolution of education from the classical to the modern world.

• Build a personal definition of truth, meaning, and purpose in your own words.

• Engage with texts by John Henry Newman, Plato, Marcus Aurelius, Emerson, and others.

• Create your first entries in the SDIT Field Book — your living archive of intellectual growth.

Course Flow

Each week builds upon the last through a blend of:

• Reading & Listening – Foundational texts and modern commentaries

• Discussion & Reflection – Guided questions and peer conversations

• Creation & Practice – Visual maps, essays, and creative journals

• Integration – Applying timeless wisdom to modern life and technology

Every module is designed to feel immersive yet human — something you do with presence, not just completion.

Semester Overview

Volume 1: The Mental Gym 

• What is a Liberal Education? 

• The History of Ideas 

• The Art of Thinking Clearly 

• Building the Scholarly Mind

Each section can be completed at your own pace — or as part of a guided cohort led by SDIT Fellows.

Who It’s For

This course is for anyone seeking more than credentials — for those who want understanding, creativity, and wisdom.

Whether you’re an artist, engineer, entrepreneur, or simply curious, Foundations of Liberal Arts reconnects you to the roots of real learning — and prepares you to shape what comes next.

Outcomes

Upon completion, you will:

• Earn your Foundations Certificate in Liberal Arts from SDIT.

• Have a full Volume completed in your personal Field Book.

• Be ready to continue to Semester 2: The History of Human Imagination.

Enrollment Options

• Self-Paced – Begin anytime, learn independently.

• Guided Cohort – Join a live, 16-week session with group discussions and faculty feedback.

Tuition

$199 per student (Full Semester Access)

Scholarships and Fellowship Tracks available for qualifying learners.