Written with just a slight sneer, an article on the Integral Liberal Arts program at St. Mary’s College of California

Their program is a knockoff of the Great Books Program at St. John’s College in Annapolis, and one of maybe five in the country.

It hasn’t changed much in the 50 years it has been offered as a separate college within St. Mary’s College of California, and there is an old black-and-white picture to prove it. Seated between two jocks in letter jackets is the brooding Kelly, in a black T-shirt, with a zipper part in his black hair, looking very Kerouac-ian. The only difference then to now is that St. Mary’s is coed — and like many colleges nearly two-to-one female — so there will probably be more women than men at the table. And the curtains aren’t as fancy. And there are no ashtrays on the table.

"We all smoked in those days," says Kelly, looking at the picture. "Cigarettes, pipes and cigars. We sat and smoked and talked. Argued. Yelled. Had a great time."

Also missing in the picture are any pads or pens. That hasn’t changed.

"There is nothing to take notes about. There are no exams. We’re having a conversation," says Kelly. "If anybody took notes in my class I’d say ‘what in the heck are you doing?’ You are graded on class participation and your essays."

As one of the people doing the grading, it is Kelly’s job to sit down and shut up. He doesn’t even throw topics out as conversation starters unless he has to. That is why he is called a tutor.

"It’s always hard for freshmen because they’re so used to that structure where they’re looking for approval from the teacher," he says. "I’ve had freshmen who just would not stop looking at me. I say, ‘OK, I’m just going to stare at the floor for this whole class and avoid eye contact. You’re going to have to talk to each other."

The program’s website