University of Chicago. Committee on Social Thought

The University of Chicago's John U. Nef Committee on Social Thought is a Ph.D.-granting interdisciplinary program, founded in 1941 by economic historian John U. Nef. Intellectual inquiry emphasizes fundamental issues in history, philosophy, theology and literature. While the committee falls under the administration of the Division of the Social Sciences, subject areas for research and teaching have no formal limits. Students in the committee select foundational texts in their areas of interest, studying these works intensely and collaboratively before moving on to qualifying examinations and dissertation research.

Founded as the Committee on the Study of Civilization, its name was soon changed to the Committee on Social Thought at the behest of university administration. In its early development, the committee was led by Nef as Executive Secretary. Significantly, Nef also financially underwrote the enterprise. From 1945-1964, he served as the committee's first chairman. Anthropologist Robert Redfield, economist Frank Knight, and university president Robert M. Hutchins were instrumental founders.

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