The Art and Science of Social Connection - UChicago | Graham School

The Art and Science of Social Connection - UChicago | Graham School
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Course - HUAS62001
The Art and Science of Social Connection
Explore the science of human connection—and practice simple, research-backed ways to build deeper, more meaningful relationships.
View Available Sections
Deadline
July 3, 2026
Format
Online
Tuition
$295
Next Start Date
July 13, 2026
Course Description
We know that social connection enriches our lives. It improves our health, deepens our happiness, and strengthens our sense of meaning. And yet, in our daily lives, we often hesitate. We avoid talking to strangers, hold back from expressing appreciation, and settle for less meaningful forms of interaction.
Led by Nicholas Epley, the John Templeton Keller Distinguished Service Professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and author of
A Little More Social
, this four-session summer course invites participants to explore and actively practice the small choices that create deeper human connection.
Drawing on decades of research in social cognition, Epley examines why thoughtful, well-intentioned people so often misunderstand one another and underestimate how positively others will respond to connection. His work reveals a powerful insight: the barriers to connection are often psychological rather than real, and even small shifts in behavior can have outsized effects on our well-being, relationships, and sense of purpose.
Designed as an interactive book club experience, this course will combine discussion of
A Little More Social
with real-world application. Each session will focus on a core set of ideas from the book, paired with simple, evidence-based practices that participants will try in peer breakout groups, from initiating conversations to expressing gratitude to deepening everyday interactions.
Participants will not only engage with the intellectual foundations of connection, but will also experiment with becoming “a little more social” in their own lives.
The course will include short lectures and small group discussions with optional “social experiments” to practice between sessions. Students are encouraged to come ready to share experiences and insights from their own attempts to apply the material in real time.
Required Texts
A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection
, Knopf, ISBN: 9780593319543
Available Course Sections
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This has been so valuable to me. The instructors are truly committed; you make new friends and get new views. It’s been a real plus in my life.
Virginia Tobiason
CER’02 (Basic Program)
Once you start, there is a thirst within you for more. The desire for new knowledge and understanding never ends.
Rosemarie Mitchell
MLA’12
I enjoy the interplay of the classmates and the instructors. We bring up points, we have disagreements, and we learn from each other, and the learning just goes on and on—and it makes you feel younger.
Walt Kurczewski
CER’10 (Basic Program)
Here I was introduced to perspectives from the humanities and social sciences that challenged me to approach things from different angles and become more tolerant to differences. Enrolling in Graham is the best decision I ever made.
Alvaro Iriarte
MLA‘23
The Graham School has been a wonderful addition to my life. It is a great privilege to read and spend time with my fellow students. The Graham School faculty are all varied and excellent in different ways. What they share in common is their great breadth of knowledge and their generosity as teachers.
Trish Gerber
CER’12 (Basic Program)
Guided by expert staff, and aided by students with a variety of experience and knowledge, I gained new understanding, opened myself to new points of view, and have grown intellectually.
Roberta Lee
CER’22
Frequently Asked Questions
Review common questions about our courses. You can also
for more information.
Do we take assessments in these courses?
Graham School non-credit courses are not graded and therefore have no tests. They focus on nourishing a love of learning, allowing you to immerse yourself in topics and discussions you find interesting.
How can I best prepare for class?
Complete any assigned reading and come prepared to participate actively in classroom discussion. While not required, we offer an optional course to prepare students to engage with challenging works:
How to Read Classic Texts
. While this is presented as an introductory course for the Basic Program, students in other programs or open enrollment courses are also welcome to participate and grow their skills.
Do I have to complete an application?
Applications are not required for our open enrollment courses.
Who is best suited to take a course at the Graham School?
Anyone who is interested in immersing themselves in these topics and engaging in deep discovery with others is welcome to take part in this course.
UChicago has a reputation for academic rigor. Will I be able to meaningfully participate in the classroom discussions?
Yes. Our non-credit courses are built for adults who have life experience and want to learn. Our instructors create an inclusive learning environment by encouraging all students to participate, regardless of their academic background.
What happens if I have to miss a class?
Our online classes are recorded and shared with the registered students through the Canvas site for the course. For in-person courses, you can ask a fellow student to take notes for you if you have to miss a session.
What is your withdrawal/cancellation policy?
You can find our withdrawal and cancellation policy with other registration issues
here
. Most drop or transfer requests can be made through your student account.
Will this course be offered online or in person?
The Graham School offers both online and in-person class experiences. The description for each course section specifies whether it will be offered online through Canvas or in person at the Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.
What happens if I miss a class?
While our courses are driven by live discussions, we do record the online sessions. If you miss a class, you can watch the recording to catch up. Please note that students may only access recordings for the sections in which they are registered
. In-person classes are not recorded.
I can no longer participate in a course I registered for. Can I get a refund?
If you need to drop a course, please email us at
graham@learningplatform.support
to process your request. When reaching out, please include your full name, the course name and the section. If you made a donation during your course purchase, please confirm if you would like the donation refunded as well.
Courses dropped before the first day of class are eligible for a full refund. Courses dropped after the first class are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. No refund will be issued for courses dropped after the first week of classes.
How do I access my course after registration?
Your course will be available on the Graham Learning Platform three weeks before the start date.
You’ll
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If you have a question about how to register for a course, watch the helpful videos on our
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. You can also email our support team at
graham@learningplatform.support
. You will receive a response within 24 hours.
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